Monte-Carlo Inspiration Autumn/Automne 2025

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Bar Américain

History Histoire

A LEGENDARY PLACE, WRAPPED IN MYSTERY

LE MYSTÈRE D’UN LIEU LÉGENDAIRE

T here are rare venues that harbour secrets beyond reach, which is why we deem them legendary. The Bar Américain at the Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo is one such venue. Upon entering, one’s boredom swiftly reshapes into inspiration. Each conversation lingers in our memories. The champagne sparkles with unwavering bubbles. Throughout the 20 th century and into our already vibrant 21 st century, notable artists and personalities have gathered, rekindled old flames, and reconciled in plain sight yet unseen by anyone: Liz Taylor and her husband Mike Todd, Curd Jürgens and Simone Bicheron, Marcel Pagnol and Fernandel, Annabel and Bernard Buffet... One could often find Sir Roger Moore, a resident of the Principality, at “his” table. He recounted a night when, sitting with Frank Sinatra and his wife in the familiar Churchill Suite, the bar singer started crooning “Strangers in the Night. “ Sinatra playfully quipped, “ I don’t sing your songs, so don’t sing mine! ”* The intimate stage of the Bar Américain has welcomed numerous unexpected music stars. When Bono, of U2 fame, drops by as a neighbour and plays with the bar musicians, it becomes evident that such moments are unique to this place.

©Monte-Carlo SBM

The eternally elegant Elizabeth Taylor often chose Monaco as her retreat, making the Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo her home away from home. Eternellement élégante, l’actrice Elizabeth Taylor a plusieurs fois séjourné à Monaco et avait ses habitudes à l’Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo.

*In the preface of the Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo furniture auction catalogue, organised by Artcurial in January 2015