What animals live in Monaco?

Herman here, with Rusty nodding along! Monaco is one of the smallest countries in the world — barely bigger than a few city blocks — so most of it is buildings, roads, and harbor. That means wild animals are pretty rare on land, but the Mediterranean Sea right at Monaco's doorstep is full of life: octopuses, sea bass, moray eels, and colorful wrasse fish all swim in those deep blue waters. Rusty wants to add that Monaco actually has an Oceanographic Museum and Aquarium that has studied sea creatures for over a hundred years. Dolphins and even whales have been spotted offshore in the Mediterranean. On land, you might see pigeons, swifts, and the occasional gecko warming itself on a sun-baked wall. It is a tiny place, but God packed a lot of wonder into the sea right outside its door.

What do kids eat in Monaco?

Monaco is a tiny country on the Mediterranean Sea, and the food there is a mix of French and Italian cooking — since France and Italy are both right next door! Kids in Monaco might eat a fresh baguette with butter for breakfast, or a warm bowl of socca, which is a flat pancake made from chickpea flour that street vendors cook over wood fires. Since Monaco sits right on the sea, fresh fish shows up a lot at the dinner table — things like sea bass or sardines cooked simply with olive oil and herbs. For something sweet, a Monaco kid might enjoy a crepe filled with jam or Nutella, or a little pastry from a French-style bakery. Herman likes to say that eating in Monaco feels like France and Italy shook hands over a really good meal!

How do people say hello in Monaco?

In Monaco, the official language is French, so most people greet each other by saying 'Bonjour' (bohn-ZHOOR), which means 'Good day.' If you want to be a little more casual, you might hear people say 'Salut' (sah-LOO), which is like saying 'Hey' or 'Hi.' Monaco is a tiny country — one of the smallest in the whole world — tucked along the Mediterranean Sea next to France. Because it's so close to Italy, you might also hear some people use the Italian greeting 'Ciao' (CHOW). Missionaries who work in places like Monaco have to learn the local language so they can share the good news about Jesus in words people truly understand.

What sports or games do kids play in Monaco?

Herman here, with Rusty nodding along! Kids in Monaco grow up right on the Mediterranean Sea, so swimming and sailing are huge favorites. Soccer is popular too — you will spot kids kicking a ball around in the small parks and open spaces of this tiny country. Monaco is famous for its Grand Prix car race that winds right through the city streets, and that gets a lot of kids excited about go-kart racing too. Because Monaco is so small — it is one of the tiniest countries in the world — kids also spend a lot of time at the beach or hiking the rocky hills nearby, which makes for a pretty lively childhood.

What's the weather like in Monaco?

Herman here, with Rusty nodding along! Monaco sits right on the Mediterranean Sea, tucked between France and Italy, so it enjoys warm, sunny summers and mild winters. Most days there are more sunny hours than cloudy ones, which is one reason so many people visit this tiny country. Rusty wants to add that Monaco almost never gets snow — winters are gentle, usually staying above freezing, and summer temperatures hover around 80°F or so. The sea breezes keep things comfortable even on hot days. It is one of the sunniest spots in all of Europe!

Tell me a fun fact about Monaco.

Herman here, with Rusty nodding along! Monaco is the second smallest country in the entire world — smaller than many city parks — yet it is packed with more people per square mile than almost anywhere else on Earth. You could walk across the whole country in about 30 minutes! Here is something that makes Rusty's jaw drop every time: Monaco has its own royal family, the Grimaldis, who have ruled there for over 700 years. The tiny harbor is often filled with enormous yachts, and the country is famous for a grand car race called the Formula One Grand Prix, where drivers zoom through the narrow, winding streets of the city itself.

What is school like for kids in Monaco?

Monaco is a tiny country — the second smallest in the world — but it has a real school system where kids study French, math, history, and science. School there follows the French system, so children start young and work through grades much like you would find in France. Most kids in Monaco speak French as their main school language. Because Monaco is so small and wealthy, its schools are well-equipped, and class sizes tend to be small. Some families there send their children to private or Catholic schools. What is interesting to us explorers is that even in a place with so much wealth, kids still need to hear about Jesus — nice buildings and good grades cannot fill the deepest need every person has. That is why missionaries and local believers in places like Monaco still matter so much.

Who are the unreached people in Monaco?

Great question! Monaco is one of the smallest countries in the world — about the size of a few city blocks — but it still has people who have never truly heard the good news about Jesus. The largest unreached group there is the French, who make up much of Monaco's population along with Monégasques, the native people of Monaco. Many of them follow traditions of the Catholic Church, but knowing church traditions and personally trusting Jesus as Savior are two very different things. There are also wealthy people from many nations who have moved to Monaco because it has no income tax, and some of the richest people on earth live there. Riches can actually make it harder to feel a need for God — Jesus even talked about that. Missionaries and faithful local believers have a real opportunity to share the gospel in this glittery, crowded little place, and God loves every person there just as much as He loves anyone anywhere else in the world.

How can I pray for the people of Monaco?

Monaco is one of the smallest countries in the world — smaller than most city parks — but the people there need Jesus just as much as anyone on earth. Many people in Monaco are very wealthy, and sometimes having a lot of money can make it feel like you don't need God. You can pray that God opens their hearts to see that only Jesus can give them what money never can. You can also pray for the small number of Christians already living in Monaco, that they would be bold and faithful in sharing the gospel with their neighbors and friends. Pray that missionaries and local church leaders would find open doors to tell people the good news about Jesus — and that children and families in Monaco would come to know Him as their Savior and Lord.

What is a holiday or celebration in Monaco?

One of the biggest celebrations in Monaco is National Day, held every November 19th. It honors the ruling Prince of Monaco and is sometimes called the Sovereign Prince's Day. The tiny streets fill with music, a military parade, and fireworks over the harbor. Monaco is a Roman Catholic country, so religious holidays like Christmas and Easter are also celebrated with great care. Churches hold special services, and the whole principality — which is smaller than many city parks — takes on a festive feel. It is a good reminder that people all over the world, even in the world's second-smallest country, are asking big questions about God and what life means.

What language do people speak in Monaco?

Herman here, with Rusty nodding along! The official language of Monaco is French. Almost everyone there speaks it in schools, government buildings, shops, and restaurants. It is a tiny country — one of the smallest in the whole world — sitting right on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea. Rusty wants to add that you might also hear Monégasque, which is the old traditional language of Monaco's original people. It sounds a bit like a mix of French and Italian. Italian is common too, since Italy is right next door. Missionaries and Bible teachers working near Monaco can use French to share the gospel across a huge part of the world, since French is spoken on many continents — that is one of the reasons learning a language can be such a powerful tool for spreading the good news about Jesus.

What's a famous place to visit in Monaco?

Herman here, with Rusty nodding along! One of the most famous places in Monaco is the Prince's Palace, which sits up on a rocky cliff overlooking the sea. It has been home to Monaco's royal family for over 700 years, and guards in uniform still stand at the gate every single day. Rusty loves this part — you can actually watch the Changing of the Guard ceremony right outside the palace at 11:55 every morning. Monaco is one of the smallest countries in the whole world, barely bigger than a few city blocks, but that little palace has seen centuries of history. It's a good reminder that God works through big places and tiny ones alike!

Monaco — Kids Missions Explorer

Hermann's Tortoise

This ancient-looking reptile has lived in the rocky scrublands of the Mediterranean coast for thousands of years and can survive in Monaco's tiny patches of wild hillside.

Octopus

The common octopus hides in the rocky seabed just off Monaco's coastline and is curious enough to approach divers who explore the Mediterranean waters there.

Barbagiuan

This small fried pastry is Monaco's own national snack, stuffed with Swiss chard, ricotta, and leeks, and eaten especially during the country's national holiday.

Socca

A thin, crispy flatbread made from chickpea flour that is baked in a wood-fired oven and has a slightly nutty, savory flavor shared across the French and Italian Riviera.

Fresh Mediterranean Seafood

Because Monaco sits right on the sea, grilled fish such as sea bass and red mullet appear on tables regularly, often seasoned simply with olive oil and herbs.

Monaco

Things you should know about Monaco

Wildlife you might meet

What’s on the table

Did you know?

Life in Monaco

Missions in Monaco

Pray for Monaco