Take a tour of Palace of Monaco in Monaco – part of the World’s Greatest Attractions series by GeoBeats. Monaco, the world’s second smallest country is nestled between southern France and the Mediterranean Sea. The current ruling Prince of this country resides in the aptly named Prince’s Palace of Monaco. Francois Grimaldi first captured the Palace for his family in 1297. The Grimaldi family has been a powerful influence on Monaco for over 700 years. The Palace is a showcase of diverse architectural styles from many eras. It has often served as a fortress, repelling foreign attacks for centuries. Today the Palace is symbolic of Monaco as a whole—opulent, eclectic, and historic.