The Monte Carlo Casino, is the centre of all tourist activity in Monaco. In front of the casino there is a small roundabout with the casino on one side, and the Hotel de Paris, the Café de Paris and the Casino Gardens on the other three sides.

In summer, tourists take photos of their friends beside the usual array of Ferraris, Lamborghinis and other flashy cars parked in the square. You can sip a cappuccino at the Café de Paris and watch the world drive by or stroll round the back of the casino and look down at the yachts in the port.

The Casino Gardens are lush and cool - a good place to sit down in the shade of a giant rubber tree out of the glare of the midday sun.

The Sporting Cinema is also located on this square. There are bars and cafes nearby and the Metropole shopping mall, which contains the Fnac electronics, music and book store.

Beside the Hotel de Paris there are the chic shops, such as Hermes and Prada, with the more down-to-earth Zara behind the cinema.

The Grand Prix circuit passes in front of the Casino, so much of this area is out of bounds to non-ticket holders for a few days in May.