The Chapel of the Visitation Museum

No stone statues of saints, no marble, nor bronze. No stained-glass windows—not a splash of colour, not even a simple geometric shape. No bell tower, not even a lone bell tucked away to the side. At first glance, nothing about this building says “place of worship.” And yet, if you look closely, right at the very top, there it is—a small, quiet cross, letting you in on the secret. This is the Chapel of the Visitation, built in the 17th century at the request of Charlotte de Gramont, wife of Prince Louis I. Her goal? To provide an education for young girls from Monaco and the surrounding region. Hard to believe, just from the plain, modest exterior—but yes, this chapel was built in the Baroque style. And Baroque, in case you’ve forgotten, is all about grandeur. It’s big, bold, theatrical—bursting with decoration and dramatic detail. Which makes the outside of this chapel all the more surprising. But step through the doors, and everything shifts. Suddenly, the space opens up. You’ll spot ornate capitals, garlands of fruit and flowers—now that’s more like it. That’s Baroque! Since the late 20th century, this unexpected interior has become home to some remarkable art collections, including pieces donated by philanthropist Barbara Piasecka-Johnson. You’ll even find works by Rubens and Ribera among them. Like a magic trick, this unassuming little chapel has gradually become one of Monaco’s cultural gems. It’s open to visitors every day—except Mondays.