Situated on the Mediterranean coast of France, close to the Italian border, this tiny, tax-free principality (the second-smallest microstate, behind the Vatican) has been ruled by the Grimaldi family since the 13th century. The famous casino has a lush Italianate interior, lavish with frescoes and chandeliers. The coastal Avenue Saint-Martin is adorned with cliffside gardens and is home to the Cathédrale de Monaco, where Princess Grace was married and now rests. The Golden Circle and the Avenue des Beaux-Arts feature haute couture shops. Each May, Formula One racing cars speed through the streets during the Monaco Grand Prix.

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