The Metropole Palace hotel was built in 1886 in the beloved style characteristic of the Belle Époque. A modern luxurious hotel the Metropole Monte-Carlo was opened in its place in 2004. The entrance to the namesake Metropole shopping center is to the left of the hotel. Enter inside and feel through its conditioned freshness as if you were at the top of the world – the marble, the gigantic crystal chandeliers, the luxurious interiors of the trade gallery with 80 boutiques, selling women’s, men’s, and children’s apparel, handbags, accessories, and all of this is only one hundred meters away from the Casino.
In general opinion, the brand choice in Metropole leaves much to be desired… they do sell both the rather democratically priced Tommy Hilfiger, Hugo Boss, Gant, Replay, and the more luxurious and admired by the some Phillip Pleine, Kenzo, Red Valentino, Blumarine, Malo. To the right in the galleries (through the street entrance) there is the Dsquared boutique, and the multibrand MC Market with a good selection of contemporary brands. You should visit the shoe store Mercedeh to see what the “Monaco style” offers: everything is in sparkles and sequins. Finally, the favorite store of the natives, a large FNAC with books and electronic, is at the base level.
Make sure to try typical French sweets, the macaroons from Laduree, sold at the second floor, and to relax in the café favored by the natives, Lina’s, located at the third level. Here they have tasty coffee, desserts, and the freshest salads and sandwiches. For the last bit, enjoy fresh newspapers in French, Italian, and in English. It is interesting to watch how after the wave of the office workers, who stop by for lunch, ceases, the local elderly come here at around 3:00 – 4:00 PM, and drink their espresso at their leasurely pace, turning the pages of the newspapers…
[box type=”note”]Le Metropole Shopping Center
Operation hours:
Monday – Saturday from 10.00 to 19.30
The trade center is also typically open on Sundays from 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM in summer from the middle of July to the end of August
17, Avenue des Spélugues
www.metropoleshoppingcenter.com[/box]
photos: website www.visitmonaco.com
