Week 3: Monaco

Bonjour! We have finally wrapped up our time in Italy and are in France. Before we head to Paris, we spent two days in Nice, France. Nice is close to the beach, as well as a principality named Monaco. We had the chance to visit Monaco for an afternoon and it was where I think my spirit resides. Material culture plays a large role for the people who choose to live or visit Monaco. While walking down the street, I saw many people dressed in fancy clothes, luxury sports cards, high-end shops, and yachts lining the seashore. The building that plays the biggest part in Monaco’s material culture is the Casino de Monte Carlo. The principality gained a lot of its tourism and popularity after the construction of the casino; making up over 95% of the revenue of the principality. In many ways, the principality is built around Monte Carlo and its’ money. Lots of people know Casino de Monte Carlo through movies, such as James Bond. This casino has long been in media and has made Monaco what it is. Monaco wants to be known for money and shows through their high end casino. To enter the casino, you have to be wearing “appropriate” attire. You can’t be wearing shorts, sport shoes, or flip flops. After 8pm, the casino also “recommends” you were a suit jacket. Overall, I learned when visiting the Casino de Monte Carlo is that Monaco has a very high standard of living. Casinos and resorts in Monaco developed a wealthy social class structure to where only 50% of the people who work in Monaco actually live there. Although the Casino de Monte Carlo is an important part of the Monaco culture, people who are from Monaco can’t play at the casino to prevent cheating among family members. It is mainly just a source of work and money for the principality.