Beausoleil | Monaco

Beausoleil is a French commune in the Alpes-Maritimes department, directly bordering the Principality of Monaco. Often referred to as "Upper Monte Carlo" (Monte-Carlo Supérieur), it functions as a natural extension of the Principality while remaining under French jurisdiction.

Historical Timeline

Beausoleil was originally part of the commune of La Turbie. Its development was triggered by the 1860s construction of the Monte Carlo Casino, which created a surge in demand for housing and services that Monaco’s small territory could not fulfill. It was officially incorporated as an independent commune on November 12, 1903. The town was founded by Camille Blanc, the son of the Casino’s founder, who envisioned it as a prestigious residential annex.

Demographics & Population

The population is approximately 13,300. The demographic is highly international, consisting largely of "frontaliers" (cross-border workers) who commute daily into Monaco. It has a significant Italian-descended population, a legacy of the Piedmontese workers who built the town’s iconic Belle Époque structures.

Urban Layout & Key Districts

Beausoleil is built on a steep hillside, creating a vertical urban layout that mirrors Monaco's topography.

Le Centre: The dense commercial heart, characterized by 19th-century Belle Époque facades and narrow streets.

Moneghetti: A district shared with Monaco, where the border is often marked only by a street name change or a different style of trash bin.

Beausoleil Supérieur: Higher-elevation residential zones offering panoramic views of the Mediterranean and the Port Hercule.

The Stairs: A defining feature of the town’s layout; dozens of steep public staircases (escaliers) connect the hilltop residential levels to the Monaco border.

Top City Landmarks

The Riviera Palace: A former luxury hotel completed in 1903, featuring a monumental winter garden designed by Gustave Eiffel.

Gustave Eiffel Market: A covered market in the town center built with iron and glass in the classic Eiffel style.

Sanctuary of Saint Joseph: A neo-Romanesque church (1913) known for its elaborate stained-glass windows.

Mont des Mules: A hilltop archaeological site and park offering the most famous panoramic view over the Principality of Monaco.

Transportation Network

Transit is integrated with the CAM (Monaco) and Zestbus (French) networks.

Public Elevators: Similar to Monaco, Beausoleil utilizes several public elevators to bridge the vertical gap between streets.

Bus Lines: Line 18 and several Monaco lines (1, 2, 4) serve the border areas.

Railway: Residents use the Monaco-Monte-Carlo station, which is partially built into the hillside under the border.

Traffic: Extremely dense; the Boulevard de France and Boulevard de la République are major bottlenecks during morning and evening commutes.

Safety & "Red Zones"

Beausoleil is considered a safe residential area. There are no "no-go" zones. Petty crime (moped theft, pickpocketing) is slightly higher than in Monaco but significantly lower than in larger French cities like Nice or Marseille.

Digital & Financial Infrastructure

Internet is provided by French ISPs (Orange, Free, SFR) with fiber-optic speeds up to 1 Gbps. Unlike Monaco, French tax laws and consumer rights apply. Card acceptance is 100%. ATMs are concentrated around the Town Hall (Mairie) and the market. The currency is the Euro (€).

Climate & Air Quality

Mediterranean climate. January averages 9°C; July averages 27°C. Air quality is generally high, though localized exhaust accumulation occurs in the narrow, steep "canyon" streets during peak traffic.

Culture & Social Norms

Social life revolves around the morning market at the Place du Marché. Tipping is 10%. While the town is French, the "Monégasque" influence is pervasive; many residents follow Monaco's event calendar (Grand Prix, Yacht Show) more closely than French national events.

Accommodation Zones

Border Zone (Lower Beausoleil): Preferred for tourists who want to walk into the Monte Carlo Casino area within 5 minutes.

Haut de Beausoleil: Preferred for long-term rentals and those with private transport seeking sea views.

Local Cost Index

1 Espresso: €2.80 ($3.10) - notably cheaper than in Monte Carlo.

1 Standard Lunch: €18.00 ($20.00).

1 Bus Ticket: €1.50–€2.00 ($1.65–$2.20).

Nearby Day Trips

La Turbie: 10 mins; home to the Trophy of Augustus (Roman monument).

Eze Village: 15 mins; a world-famous perched medieval village.

Facts & Legends

A verified historical oddity is that the border between Beausoleil and Monaco is so integrated that it passes through several individual buildings, meaning a resident might sleep in France and eat breakfast in Monaco within the same apartment. Local legend suggests that the name "Beausoleil" was chosen specifically to avoid the name "Monte Carlo Supérieur" after the Prince of Monaco objected to the "vulgarization" of the Monte Carlo brand by the French real estate developers.