New National Museum of Monaco

The New National Museum of Monaco runs across two Belle Époque villas: Villa Paloma on the heights, with a garden and a view down over the principality, and Villa Sauber near Larvotto, the last of the seaside villas of that period left standing. Both show contemporary art, usually thematic exhibitions rather than a permanent hang, and the buildings themselves are part of the visit. The museum was created in 2009 by bringing the principality's separate collections under one institution.

What you actually see

• Villa Paloma - the hillside villa with its garden and view over Monaco.
• Villa Sauber - the last surviving Belle Époque seaside villa.
• The exhibitions - the thematic contemporary shows across both sites.
• The buildings - the period architecture the museum occupies.

When to go

Year round; both villas are indoors. Exhibitions change several times a year. Both keep set hours and close on some days.

Honest expectations

There is no permanent collection on display; it is exhibitions only, so what you see depends entirely on timing. The two sites are at opposite ends of Monaco. Each is small.

Nearby

Villa Sauber is near Larvotto, and Villa Paloma is above the Jardin Exotique.