Monaco - Musée Océanographique

The Jardins de St-Martin in Monaco extend along the coast round the peninsula with a steep cliff on the seaward side, near which stands a statue commemorating Prince Albert I, celebrated as a marine researcher. At the end of the gardens is the Musée Océanographique (marine museum); the facade facing the sea is 87m/286ft high and rests on massive foundations.

The museum, which was opened in 1910 and took 11 years to build, houses valuable scientific collections (objects from Prince Albert's journeys of exploration, finds, submarines and diving equipment of Jacques-Yves Cousteau, slides of marine plants and animals), also an important aquarium, laboratory and library and exhibits of model ships and educational film shows, especially about Jacques-Yves Cousteau. From the roof terrace (restaurant) it is possible to enjoy a superb view of the Italian Riviera as far as the Esterel Massif (also visible from Fort Antoine on the east of the peninsula).

On the western slope of the cliff is the Center d'Acclimatation Zoologique (a center for animal acclimatization, a kind of zoo with tropical and African fauna), established in 1954.