– English Lyrics

Lyrics & Translation

[English]

Luxury,

exclusivity

and style.

That's what photos of Monaco on social media promise.

But what is it really like here?

Our arrival is a bit disappointing.

The coast is very built up and it's raining in the otherwise

sun-drenched sovereign state.

Yet we aren't deterred.

It's time to check out three well-known tourist spots in Monaco.

Surrounded on land by France along the Mediterranean coast,

Monaco is only around 2 km² in area.

It's the second smallest and most densely populated country in the world,

home to around 40,000 people.

Tax breaks, car races and celebrity glamour –

that's what Monaco is known for.

The country is a constitutional monarchy.

The Grimaldi family has ruled here since the 13th century.

The legendary Casino de Monte-Carlo, one of the most famous in the world.

It's where the super-rich like to show off their luxury cars,

but in this weather there are few cars to be seen.

Valentina de Gaspari lives here and works as a photographer,

author and real estate agent.

Well, Monaco in the rain is an exclusivity.

You are able to pick up some images

which are quite unusual

because seeing Monaco quite empty is quite unusual.

Our first spot is the harbour with its race track.

The sports cars and luxury yachts are a hit on social media.

How much glamour is left when it rains?

Some of the most prestigious car races in the world take place here,

such as the Monaco Grand Prix.

The thoroughfare is transformed into a race track.

The Rascasse hairpin is one of the course's biggest challenges.

With an angle of 135°, overtaking here is almost impossible.

The berths in the harbour are usually fully booked during such events.

Having a yacht is a really big status symbol in Monaco of course.

Port Hercule, this is his name.

It's an amazing harbor with stunning super yachts and a very lively

waterfront with a lot of bars and restaurants, and of course

a beautiful Mediterranean backdrop.

I am not here for the boats, I am here for the cars.

But you won't see many luxury cars in this weather.

The harbor and yachts look better when it's sunny.

Monaco is known for its enormous tax advantages, which has made it

the home of the ultra rich.

Sit in a café on a rainy day and you're sure to hear some

celebrity stories from locals.

But how can "normal" Monegasques afford to live here?

The price per square metre in Monaco is the highest in the world.

So not anyone can afford living in Monaco.

Monaco nationals are less than 25% of the population,

so they are protected.

So yes, they have advantages in terms of rent.

They have priority for work and stuff like this.

Maybe that's why the locals seem especially laid back.

Our second hotspot is Monaco-Ville.

The old town district looks idyllic on social media.

But how beautiful is it in real life?

The area is located about a 15 minute walk from the harbor atop "La Roche"

or "The Rock as it's called.

The heart of the old town is the fortress, now the Prince's Palace.

Its foundation stone was laid in 1215 and it attracts visitors from

all over the world.

It's like Disneyland.

Actually we work for Disneyland.

So here is everywhere is a castle, it's a very nice view.

In Monaco-Ville there are a lot of nationals that are proud to be

Monegasque and they are proud to live in the oldest part of Monaco.

And it has plenty of charm with this narrow streets and a lot of cultural

landmarks like the Prince's Palace and the Oceanographic Museum

and of course the magnificent cathedral.

Hollywood actress Grace Kelly and Prince Rainier III celebrated their

wedding in the Roman-Byzantine style cathedral in the 1950s,

and were later buried there.

So what's our conclusion?

Even in the rain, the monumental buildings of Monaco-Ville

exude their exclusive charm.

Incidentally, entry to the cathedral is free.

There is one spot that you have to visit when you come to Monaco.

It's a place called "La tête de Chien."

"La tête de Chien" is not in Monaco,

but from there you have an amazing view.

over three different countries.

Because you can see Monaco,

you can see Italy,

you can see France.

The photos of this viewpoint on social media look incredible.

The rock looks like a dog's head from afar,

which is where it gets its name.

You can drive most of the way up by car or bus

and then walk for about 15 minutes.

From here, you have an incredible view of Monaco, even on a rainy day.

So what do we think about the harbor?

The Old Town?

And the "La tête de Chien" viewpoint?

When the weather is bad, you'll see a different Monaco than in the photos.

One that's less glamorous, but more authentic.

Fortunately, the sun often shines here, making the city shine too.

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
harbor /ˈhɑːrbər/ A2	noun - a place where ships and boats can dock safely
rain /reɪn/ A1	noun - water that falls from the sky in drops verb - to fall as rain
tourist /ˈtʊərɪst/ A2	noun - a person who travels for pleasure
race /reɪs/ A2	noun - a competition in speed verb - to move quickly in a competition
yachts /jɒts/ B1	noun - large expensive boats used for pleasure or racing
glamour /ˈɡlæmər/ B2	noun - a special beauty or charm that makes something attractive
celebrity /səˈlebrəti/ A2	noun - a famous person
palace /ˈpælɪs/ A2	noun - a large and impressive house where a royal family lives
viewpoint /ˈvjuːpɔɪnt/ B1	noun - a place from which you can see a beautiful view
charm /tʃɑːrm/ B1	noun - a quality that makes someone or something attractive verb - to attract or delight someone
cathedral /kəˈθiːdrəl/ B1	noun - a large Christian church, especially one that is the seat of a bishop
arrive /əˈraɪv/ A1	verb - to reach a place
check /tʃɛk/ A1	verb - to examine or inspect something
show /ʃoʊ/ A1	verb - to display something or let it be seen noun - a performance or exhibition
live /lɪv/ A1	verb - to be alive or to reside somewhere
walk /wɔːk/ A1	verb - to move by foot at a regular pace noun - a journey made by walking
sunny /ˈsʌni/ A2	adjective - bright with sunlight
exclusive /ɪkˈskluːsɪv/ B1	adjective - limited to a particular person or group; not including others
authentic /ɔːˈθɛntɪk/ B2	adjective - genuine and real, not false
monumental /ˌmɒnjʊˈmɛntl/ B2	adjective - very impressive or grand in size or importance