Monte-Carlo Casino facade restored before F1 Grand Prix

Work on the principal facade of the Casino de Monte-Carlo is due to complete in early June, timed precisely to ensure the Place du Casino looks its best before the Formula 1 Grand Prix brings the world's attention to the Principality. The restoration project has addressed some of the building's most distinctive decorative elements, each requiring specialist intervention.

Among the features receiving attention were the ornate angel statues that punctuate the roofline, the glazed ceramic tiles that give the facade its characteristic texture and lustre, and the monumental clock that has marked time above the square for well over a century. Each element presents its own conservation challenge, from cleaning and repointing stonework to carefully matching period-accurate materials for damaged sections.

For residents who pass through the Place du Casino regularly, the scaffolding has been a familiar presence, but the timing of its removal matters. The Casino forecourt sits at the heart of Grand Prix week, and having the facade fully restored and uncovered before the barriers go up ensures the circuit's most iconic backdrop is presented without compromise. Charles Garnier's Belle Époque masterpiece will be looking as sharp as the cars that race past it.