Prince Albert II Inaugurates €208 Million 15-Storey Parking des Salines and Galerie des Salines in Monaco

Transformative Western Gateway Intercepts Incoming Commuter Vehicles

JARDIN EXOTIQUE, Monaco — In a monumental step toward achieving carbon neutrality and decongesting urban roadways, His Serene Highness Prince Albert II of Monaco, accompanied by Minister of State Pierre Dartout, President of the National Council Thomas Brezzo, and Minister of Public Works, the Environment and Urban Development Céline Caron-Dagioni, has officially inaugurated the landmark €208 million Parking des Salines and the adjacent Galerie des Salines. Positioned strategically at the western entrance of the Principality along the Moyenne Corniche, the mega-facility serves as the premier park-and-ride intercept for thousands of vehicles entering Monaco daily from France and Italy.

Representing seven years of complex geotechnical engineering carved directly into the sheer cliffside beneath the Jardin Exotique district, the opening fulfills a primary pillar of the Prince’s Government National Mobility Plan, engineered to safeguard Monaco's pristine coastal environment and enhance quality of life for residents and cross-border workers alike.

Fifteen Subterranean Levels with 1,790 Spaces and Electric Mobility Hubs

The massive 15-storey vertical structure introduces unprecedented parking capacity and green multimodal amenities to the western perimeter:

• 1,790 Light Vehicle Spaces: Spread across 15 brightly illuminated, state-of-the-art levels, incorporating automated digital space-guidance systems and variable-message wayfinding signage.
• 100 Dedicated Motorcycle Bays: Specialized secure motorcycle and scooter bays with dedicated equipment lockers.
• Electric Vehicle Fast Charging (Monaco ON): Features 33 high-speed charging points powered by the sovereign Monaco ON network, providing emission-free charging for electric vehicles.
• Coach and Tourist Bus Terminus: Accommodates up to 14 high-capacity touring coaches, eliminating idling emissions in central city quarters.
• Two MonaBike Electric Bicycle Stations: Offers instantaneous access to Monaco’s municipal smart electric bicycle sharing network for last-mile transit.

Galerie des Salines Pedestrian Tunnel Restores Historic Roger Capron Murals

Complementing the parking complex, Prince Albert II officially opened the Galerie des Salines—a meticulously engineered 150-metre underground pedestrian tunnel equipped with high-speed express elevators. The underground passage allows commuters to descend from the Jardin Exotique down to Fontvieille, Boulevard du Jardin Exotique, and Avenue Pasteur in a comfortable 15-minute walk.

Preserving cultural heritage, the gallery showcases museum-grade restored ceramic murals created in 1968 by celebrated French master ceramist Roger Capron. Originally adorning the former Larvotto seaside resort, the historic tiles were meticulously cleaned, conserved, and permanently integrated into the tunnel walls under the direction of Monaco's Department of Cultural Affairs.

Decisive Pillar in Monaco's National Mobility Plan and Decarbonization Targets

To facilitate effortless onward journeys, the Compagnie des Autobus de Monaco (CAM) has deployed dedicated express electric shuttle bus routes—Express Line 2 and Line 3—departing every ten minutes from the Salines transit hub directly to Place d’Armes, Monte-Carlo, and Port Hercule.

By intercepting inbound commuter traffic before vehicles enter congested central neighborhoods, Parking des Salines is projected to eliminate over 4,000 daily vehicular trips from downtown arteries. The initiative marks an indispensable operational milestone toward Monaco’s legally binding mandate to reduce carbon emissions by 55 percent by 2030 and achieve total climate neutrality by 2050.