Celebrations on 19th November.
If you live or work in Monaco, you'll know that this Thursday the offices close and workers get the day off. But apart from that and some fireworks, to the outside observer there doesn't seem to be much happening.
On the contrary, for Monegasques there's a week full of activities. Celebrations started last week, with childrens' activities, and the first of several award giving ceremonies. Monegasques receive medals and merits for work, charitable acts, sporting and cultural achievements, and public service. There are also several invitation only concerts and galas, including this year, Puccini's Turandot, and French singer and composer Pierre Perret. Finally, On 20th November, gifts are handed out to pensioners.
Public celebrations on the eve of National Day include musical fireworks at Port Hercule. On the day itself, the princely family attends an invitation only mass in the Cathedral, followed by a procession through the streets of Monaco Ville and more medal giving at the Palace.
Even if you're not Monegasque, you can still get a taste for National day with some local cuisine at the Cafe de Paris. From tomorrow until Thursday, the restaurant is serving traditional specialties. From 17 euros, you can enjoy dishes such as ravioli with daube sauce (a slow cooked beef stew), barbagiuans (also spelled barbajuans) and pissaladiere (onion tart), stockfish, and much more. Monegasque folk group La Palladienne are providing traditional entertainment from 20:00.
