Prince Rainier III of Monaco’s passion for beautiful cars has been transformed into a museum that our colleague Stéphanie Massé had the opportunity to visit last summer.

A great lover of beautiful cars, Prince Rainier III of Monaco assembled an impressive collection of antique vehicles over the decades. Starting with carriages used by the royal family and moving through vehicles designed to drive on the surface of the Moon, or even Mars, right up to the most recent Formula 1 race cars, the collection grew so large that it soon could no longer fit in the palace garages.

A local premise within the principality was dedicated to it for a few years before finding a fitting home in a building offering five floors of clean, uncluttered space designed to showcase it. Unsurprisingly, considering the essence of the collection, access to the museum follows a segment of the famous Monaco Grand Prix track.

Upon his father’s death in 2005, Crown Prince Albert II took over. In order to refocus the collection, he proceeded with the sale of three dozen vehicles. This reduction brought the number of vehicles in the collection down to around one hundred. That being said, Prince Albert, who also inherited his father’s passion for automobiles, allows himself the freedom to add to the collection should “opportunities” arise.

But what exactly is found in this collection, which has been accessible to the public for about thirty years? We mentioned the family carriages, but the core revolves around classic American and European cars. It includes grand luxury and rarities that would make our passionate readers sell their souls, if only to take a lap in one. But a few significant yet more popular vehicles also slip in, such as a Citroën 2 CV.

Some pieces also bear a part of the princely family’s history. For example, visitors can see the 1903 English Humber motorcycle, used by Prince Albert I for incognito escapades on both sides of the English Channel. Proof that the road was inviting even for members of this privileged family.

Since the princely family was passionate about car racing from the very beginnings of the discipline, visitors are not surprised to find several race cars in this private museum that have kicked up dust on rally tracks or spun rubber on Formula 1 circuits.

And our friend Stéphanie, who provides us with these beautiful photos—which car made her heart beat fastest? After painful deliberation, she chose the 1955 Mercedes 300 SL, with its gull-wing doors. A very good choice, estimated between two and three million of our dollars, depending on its condition.

Here for you is a photo showcase of this unique museum.