Inaugurated on December 4, 2024, Mareterra Monaco is the new neighborhood reshaping the skyline of the Principality. Six hectares reclaimed from the Mediterranean, designed by architects Renzo Piano and Valode & Pistre, combining exceptional residences, a public promenade, a marina, contemporary art and environmental innovation. Our complete guide to discovering it during your stay in Monaco.
Inaugurated on December 4, 2024, Mareterra Monaco is the new neighborhood reshaping the skyline of the Principality. Six hectares reclaimed from the Mediterranean, designed by architects Renzo Piano and Valode & Pistre, combining exceptional residences, a public promenade, a marina, contemporary art and environmental innovation. Just minutes on foot from Port Hercule, this eighth maritime extension of Monaco has become, in only a few months, one of the most photographed places on the French Riviera. Here is our complete guide to discovering Mareterra: its artworks, walkways, boutiques, sustainable architecture, and the best ways to enjoy it during your stay in Monaco.
15 minutes' walk from Port Palace, discover Mareterra and the new face of Monaco.
Check availabilityMareterra Monaco: a new eco-district reclaimed from the sea
Also known by its historical name Anse du Portier, the Mareterra district is the eighth seaward expansion of Monaco. Launched in 2016 and delivered eight years later, the project consists of a six-hectare extension built facing the Larvotto bay, between the Grimaldi Forum and the Yacht Club of Monaco.
With a total investment estimated at 2.3 billion dollars, Mareterra stands as one of the most ambitious real estate projects ever realized in Europe. Three hectares have been dedicated to the public: a landscaped park, a 500-meter seaside promenade, a micro-marina of 16 berths, and pedestrian walkways connecting the new district to the rest of the Principality.
The result is an almost entirely pedestrian neighborhood, where cars circulate underground thanks to a vast subterranean car park. The Prince Jacques Promenade, the main axis of Mareterra, extends from the Grimaldi Forum and leads naturally to Larvotto beach.
How to reach Mareterra from Port Hercule
Mareterra is located on the eastern side of the Principality, between Larvotto and Avenue Princesse Grace. From the center of Monte-Carlo or Port Hercule, access is easy, and we recommend that our guests at Port Palace walk to fully enjoy the coastal promenade.
On foot from Monte-Carlo
Allow about 15 minutes on foot from Port Hercule, taking Avenue Princesse Grace. The route runs along the Grimaldi Forum and leads directly to the Prince Jacques Promenade, which serves as the main entrance to the neighborhood.
By public transport
Bus line 6 serves the Larvotto stop, two minutes' walk from Mareterra. Service runs regularly throughout the day. For visitors arriving by car, the Mareterra underground car park offers more than 1,000 spaces.
For hotel guests
From Port Palace, located on Port Hercule, Mareterra is accessible in 15 minutes on foot along the Quai des États-Unis, or 5 minutes by car. Guests who wish can request a private transfer to the district.
💡 Concierge's tip
« To make the most of Mareterra, we recommend combining the visit with a walk along Larvotto beach, right next door. In the late afternoon, the contrast between Mareterra's contemporary architecture and the golden light on the Mediterranean makes for exceptional photographs. Allow two hours for a complete and unhurried tour. »
What to see and do at Mareterra Monaco
Mareterra is not just a residential district: it is a true open-air cultural promenade. Among monumental artworks, landscaped gardens, and architectural installations, visitors discover a route designed for strolling and contemplation.
The Prince Jacques Promenade and the sea balcony
Stretching 500 meters, the Prince Jacques Promenade is the public heart of Mareterra. It offers a panoramic view of the Larvotto bay and, on clear days, the Italian coast. The sea balcony, the highest point of the route, has become one of the favorite spots for photographers and sunset enthusiasts in Monaco.
This promenade is entirely pedestrian, open to the public 24 hours a day, and connected to Larvotto beach via a direct passage.
Public artworks
Mareterra hosts a genuine open-air contemporary art trail, freely accessible to all. The most iconic work is Four Lances by Alexander Calder, installed on Place Princesse Gabriella, which serves as the meeting point for guided tours of the district.
Other installations punctuate the promenade, including monumental sculptures and works by international artists. Place Princesse Gabriella itself is designed as an artistic agora, with benches, seating areas, and perspectives over the sea.
The Blue Grotto and the meditation space
Two atypical spaces make Mareterra a unique experience in Europe. The Blue Grotto is an immersive installation that allows visitors to observe from within a Jarlan caisson: these technical structures protect the sea extension by absorbing wave energy. A fascinating device that combines engineering prowess with sensory experience.
The meditation space is a haven of serenity adorned with quartz, glass, and metal, designed for contemplation at the heart of the district. This discreet, mineral space offers a welcome pause in the urban experience.
The landscaped park and Mareterra gardens
The district is home to 800 trees and over 35,000 plants spread across 9,400 m² of green spaces. The landscaped park occupies a large part of the public areas and reflects the project's environmental commitment. The chosen species, mostly Mediterranean, are adapted to the local climate and require little water.
The Mareterra gardens are particularly pleasant at the end of the day, when Monaco's golden light highlights the vegetation and the stone facades.
15 minutes' walk from Port Palace, discover Mareterra and the new face of Monaco.
Check availabilityArchitecture by Renzo Piano and Valode & Pistre
Mareterra is the joint work of two major signatures in contemporary architecture. Renzo Piano, Pritzker Prize laureate and architect of the Pompidou Centre and the Shard in London, designed the district's iconic residential building, named Le Renzo, inspired by the form of a fragmented vessel and positioned on the western edge of the extension.
The French firm Valode & Pistre designed the other residential buildings and coordinated the overall urban planning of the district. The result is a coherent ensemble where volumes blend into the landscape without altering it, with light stone facades and terraces that open widely onto the Mediterranean.
Landscape design was entrusted to Michel Desvigne, an internationally renowned landscape architect, and artistic intervention to Tadao Ando for the meditative spaces. An international team serving a project that aspires to become a global reference in sustainable urbanism.
Mareterra, a showcase of Monaco's environmental innovation
The first eco-district in Monaco, Mareterra was designed according to High Environmental Quality standards. Several innovations deserve attention from observant visitors:
- 9,000 m² of solar panels integrated into the rooftops, covering 40% of the district's energy needs
- Marine geothermal energy using seawater for heating and cooling the buildings
- A 600 m³ rainwater recovery basin for irrigating green spaces
- Jarlan caissons that absorb wave energy and protect the extension without harming the marine ecosystem
- An underwater artificial reef designed to support Mediterranean biodiversity
These technical choices, invisible to the casual visitor but structural for the project, make Mareterra a case study examined by urban planners around the world.
☉ Good to know
Mareterra cost 2.3 billion dollars and mobilized more than 1,500 workers over eight years of construction. The district houses around 1,000 residents and includes 110 luxury apartments, with some of the highest square-meter prices in the world. The public spaces, however, are entirely free and open to all, 24 hours a day.
Luxury boutiques and art galleries at Mareterra
Mareterra's commercial offering features a curated selection of luxury houses and cultural venues. The district hosts fashion, jewelry, and design boutiques that complement the already rich offering of the Carré d'Or and Monte-Carlo.
On the art side, several galleries have set up in the district. The BOKETTO gallery, in partnership with MARK, has notably opened a space dedicated to collectible design and contemporary art. Other temporary cultural events animate the district throughout the year.
To extend your discovery of the Principality's luxury addresses, see our guide to shopping in Monte-Carlo, which lists the best boutiques between Mareterra and the Casino.
Guided tours of the Mareterra district
The Monaco Urban Planning Department regularly organizes free guided tours of Mareterra, led by the project's architects and engineers. Departures take place from Place Princesse Gabriella, in front of Calder's Four Lances.
These tours allow visitors to understand the project's technical backstory: construction at sea, the recreated marine ecosystem, and the energy solutions. No reservation is required for public tours. Dates and time slots are announced on the website of the Princely Government.
For architecture enthusiasts, private tours can also be arranged on request, in French, English, or Italian.
Mareterra and the Port Palace experience
Port Palace, a 4-star boutique hotel located on Port Hercule, offers an ideal starting point for discovering Mareterra. Only 15 minutes' walk along the waterfront, the district is accessible without logistical constraints.
Guests who wish can ask their dedicated concierge to arrange a private tour of the district, accompanied by a guide specializing in contemporary architecture. To extend the experience, a Corner Suite at Port Palace offers a panoramic view of Port Hercule, the Prince's Palace and, on clear days, a distant perspective of the Mareterra skyline.
After a day of strolling through the new district, the evening continues naturally at La Môme restaurant, the rooftop of Port Palace on the 6th floor, where Chef Benjamin Zannier offers refined Mediterranean cuisine with views of the port and the Palace.
💡 Concierge's tip
« The best viewpoint to grasp the scale of the Mareterra project is the sea balcony at the end of the Prince Jacques Promenade. For a rarer experience, ask your concierge to arrange a private tour with an architect from the project: it is one of the most appreciated experiences among our design-loving guests. »
Port Palace Monaco
Discover Mareterra from Port Hercule
Just 15 minutes' walk from the new Mareterra district, Port Palace offers the perfect starting point to explore Monaco. Port views, concierge service, and privileged access to the finest experiences in the Principality.
Book your stayFAQ: everything you need to know about Mareterra Monaco
What is Mareterra Monaco?
Mareterra is the eighth seaward extension of Monaco, a new six-hectare district inaugurated on December 4, 2024. Designed by architects Renzo Piano and Valode & Pistre, it combines luxury residences, a public promenade, a marina, boutiques, art galleries, and green spaces. It is the first eco-district in the Principality.
Where is Mareterra located in Monaco?
Mareterra is located on the eastern side of Monaco, on the former Anse du Portier, between the Grimaldi Forum and Larvotto beach. Access is via Avenue Princesse Grace or the Prince Jacques Promenade.
Is Mareterra open to the public?
Yes. Three hectares of Mareterra are dedicated to the public: the Prince Jacques Promenade, the landscaped park, the public artworks, and the meditation spaces. The promenade is open 24 hours a day. Only the private residences and certain technical zones are closed to the public.
How do I get to Mareterra from central Monaco?
From Port Hercule or Monte-Carlo, allow 15 minutes on foot along Avenue Princesse Grace. Bus line 6 serves the Larvotto stop, two minutes from the district. An underground car park with over 1,000 spaces is available for visitors arriving by car.
What artworks can be seen at Mareterra?
The iconic work is Four Lances by Alexander Calder, installed on Place Princesse Gabriella. The district also features monumental sculptures, the immersive Blue Grotto, and the meditation space designed by Tadao Ando.
Can Mareterra be visited with a guide?
Yes. The Monaco Urban Planning Department regularly organizes free guided tours, without reservation, departing from Place Princesse Gabriella. Dates are announced on the website of the Princely Government. Private tours can also be arranged on request for groups or architecture enthusiasts.
What is the best time to visit Mareterra?
Late afternoon and early evening are the most enjoyable moments, with golden light ideal for photos. The district is also magnificent at sunrise, particularly calm and conducive to contemplation.
Conclusion: Mareterra, the new face of Monaco
In just a few months, Mareterra Monaco has become a Principality must-see. Public promenade, contemporary art, signature architecture and environmental innovation: this new district offers a unique experience, somewhere between urban strolling and museum-style discovery.
To discover it in the best conditions, Port Palace is a privileged base. Located in the heart of Port Hercule, 15 minutes' walk from Mareterra, our boutique hotel gives you the freedom to visit the new district at your own pace, walking along the Monegasque waterfront. Discover our rooms and suites with port views to prepare your stay.
