As one of the world’s most densely populated countries, Monaco’s landscape is dominated by high-rise architecture and infrastructure. Nestled on the French Riviera, its reputation is one of concrete and luxury. This urban reality raises the question of where nature fits within its compact borders. Despite its highly developed environment, Monaco reveals a dedicated approach to integrating green spaces and preserving its marine coastline.
Monaco’s Cultivated Green Spaces
Monaco has masterfully woven a network of public parks and gardens throughout its territory, dedicating approximately 20% of its area to these green havens. These spaces are not wild but are meticulously curated examples of horticultural art. They represent a deliberate strategy to infuse the urban environment with botanical diversity and tranquility, showcasing a variety of themes and plant life.
The Jardin Exotique, or Exotic Garden, is a primary example, clinging to a cliffside. Opened in 1933, it hosts over a thousand species of succulent plants, many of which are cacti. Below the garden’s paths lies the Observatory Cave, a natural grotto filled with stalactites and stalagmites that reveals a prehistoric past.
A different form of cultivated nature is found in the Princess Grace Rose Garden, established by Prince Rainier III in 1984. This English-style garden contains over 300 varieties of roses. Another distinct space is the Japanese Garden, created in 1994 following the principles of Zen philosophy. It features a harmonious blend of stone, water, and vegetation, with a pond, a tea house, and stone lanterns, while the plants are Mediterranean species pruned in a Japanese style.
The Marine Environment
Monaco’s relationship with nature extends beyond its gardens and into the Mediterranean Sea. The principality’s coastline is the focus of significant preservation efforts. Its territorial waters are part of the Pelagos Sanctuary, a multinational agreement with France and Italy to protect marine mammals. This commitment is further demonstrated by the establishment of two Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) within its own waters.
The Larvotto Marine Reserve, created in 1976, is the larger of the two MPAs and was established to protect a meadow of Posidonia seagrass. These underwater plants are an important part of the marine ecosystem. The reserve is also home to a notable population of noble pen shell mollusks and a growing community of brown groupers.
The second, smaller protected area is the Spélugues coralligenous “drop-off” reef wall reserve, which protects a unique underwater cliff habitat. This area is home to species such as red coral, sponges, and gorgonians. The Oceanographic Museum of Monaco actively supports this conservation work. Beyond its public aquariums, the museum is a center for marine biology research, participating in breeding programs and caring for injured sea creatures before their release.
Conservation and Sustainability Initiatives
Monaco’s environmental commitment is defined by proactive policies and global initiatives, led by the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation. Established in 2006, the foundation operates internationally, supporting projects focused on climate change, biodiversity, and water resources. It has contributed to nearly 800 projects worldwide, including the conservation of the Mediterranean monk seal and the protection of the Ross Sea in Antarctica.
The foundation has also launched its own initiatives, such as BeMed, which tackles plastic pollution in the Mediterranean. Another is the ReOcean Fund, a €100 million fund dedicated to investing in companies that work to reduce plastic pollution and protect marine ecosystems. These actions combine philanthropy with targeted investment to drive environmental progress.
Locally, the principality has set ambitious goals, aiming to reduce its carbon emissions by 55% by 2030 and to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. Another target is the elimination of single-use plastic waste by 2030. To meet these objectives, Monaco has banned many single-use plastic items, expanded public transport options with biodiesel buses and electric shuttles, and promoted the use of electric vehicles and bikes.