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