Hôtel Hermitage

Here you are in Square Beaumarchais, in the shade of tall trees, facing the Hôtel Hermitage. Its Belle Époque facade, discreet on the town side, hides the best part: on the other side, the hotel overlooks the harbour and faces the Rock. The building was constructed from 1890 to 1896 by the architect Jean Marquet, when Monte Carlo was drawing winter visitors from all over Europe. Today it belongs to the Société des Bains de Mer, which also runs the Casino and the Hôtel de Paris. Its best known treasure is inside: the Winter Garden, topped by an umbrella-shaped glass roof. The Société des Bains de Mer states that it was designed and erected by disciples of Gustave Eiffel; people often simply call it the Eiffel dome. Another marvel is the Belle Époque room, whose painted ceiling is by Gabriel Ferrier, winner of the Prix de Rome. Marcel Pagnol, Josephine Baker, Maria Callas and Aristotle Onassis all stayed here. Admire the facade from the square, without going through the doors reserved for guests.

History

By the end of the 19th century, Monte Carlo had become, within a few decades, a sought-after winter resort. Around the Casino and the Hôtel de Paris, grand hotels multiplied to welcome guests from all over Europe. This is the context in which the Hôtel Hermitage was built, from 1890 to 1896, to plans by the architect Jean Marquet.

Set on the slope running down to the harbour, the hotel enjoys an open view over the bay and the Rock. It is now one of the establishments of the Société des Bains de Mer de Monaco, the historic company behind the Casino. Regularly renovated, it has kept its Belle Époque shell.

Art and architecture

On the town side, the facade opens onto Square Beaumarchais, planted with century-old trees. It is typical of Belle Époque hotel architecture: symmetry, balconies, sculpted decoration and a carefully designed roof.

Inside, two spaces give the house its reputation. The Winter Garden is topped by a glass roof whose structure recalls an open umbrella. According to the Société des Bains de Mer, it was designed and erected by disciples of Gustave Eiffel; it is commonly called the Eiffel dome. In the 1970s it was highlighted with pastel tones, gilding and new lighting. The Belle Époque room keeps a ceiling painted by Gabriel Ferrier, winner of the Prix de Rome, inspired by the "Florentine Graces" of François Boucher and Jean-Honoré Fragonard.

Anecdotes

The hotel claims a long list of famous guests, from Marcel Pagnol to the painter Francis Bacon. Josephine Baker stayed here with her family, invited by Princess Grace. The house also recalls that it witnessed the beginning of the story between Maria Callas and Aristotle Onassis.

A useful clarification: you sometimes read that Gustave Eiffel personally signed the glass roof. Sources do not agree on this point, and the hotel’s operator cautiously speaks of his disciples. That is the version we keep here.

Together with the Hôtel de Paris, the Monte-Carlo Bay and the Monte-Carlo Beach, the Hermitage forms the group of grand hotels of the Société des Bains de Mer. It traditionally hosts cultural figures invited to Monaco, for example the speakers of the Rencontres Philosophiques de Monaco, chaired by Charlotte Casiraghi. This role as a home for artists and thinkers continues the spirit of the Belle Époque, when the principality drew writers, musicians and painters during the winter season.

What to look for

From Square Beaumarchais, take time to observe the layout of the facade and its balconies. Then walk along the hotel to glimpse, below, Port Hercule and the Rock: this is the view that made the site so desirable. The interior is reserved for guests.

Practical

Square Beaumarchais is 3 minutes on foot from Place du Casino, via Avenue de Monte-Carlo. The facade and the square are freely accessible at all times. As the hotel is in operation, the interior is not open to walkers; for any information, please refer to the official website of the Société des Bains de Mer.

Nearby

Right nearby: Place du Casino, the Hôtel de Paris, the Café de Paris and the gardens. Heading down towards the harbour, you will reach the bends of the Formula 1 circuit.

Test yourself

Sources

• Wikipédia : Hôtel Hermitage Monte-Carlo
• Monte-Carlo SBM : dossier de presse Hôtel Hermitage 2025
• Wikipedia: Hôtel Hermitage Monte-Carlo

Information checked on 30 September 2026.