The Principality of Monaco is full of chic and stylish people, and its famous museum of historical dolls is no different. The National Museum and Collection of Dolls and Automatons of Yesteryear, located just steps from Le Méridien Beach Plaza, has a world-class collection of dolls and automatons (mechanical dolls that can move in lifelike ways) that were made in Paris in the late 1800's and later collected by Madeleine de Galéa. The dolls represent the upper crust of 19th century Parisian society, and the military men, society women, and even a mime are all dressed in the finest fashions. And rather than standing alone, they're displayed in cases with miniature furniture, intricately-detailed china table settings, and thousands of objects commonly found in the more refined homes of the time. The museum's finest piece, an 18th century Neapolitan crib, represents the pinnacle of European craftsmanship and includes dozens of tiny figures. The dolls aren't the only relic of an earlier century, though. The museum building, a gorgeous 19th-century villa surrounded by rose gardens, was designed by Charles Garnier, who also designed the Paris and Monte-Carlo Opera Houses. While Monaco is best known for its yacht-filled harbor and opulent casino, the doll museum is a worthy and quirky detour into a bygone era.
