Monaco has added a new address to its family landscape. On Wednesday, January 21, 2026, the Principality inaugurated Little Wonders, a purpose-built indoor play and gathering space designed for young children and their parents. The opening took place in the presence of the Princely Family, underscoring the significance of the project within a country that has long positioned family life and early childhood well-being as public priorities.
The initiative was conceived by Marie Ducruet and Élise Rouillard, friends who experienced pregnancy and early motherhood at the same time. Their shared personal journey shaped a clear ambition: to create a warm, stroller-friendly indoor space where parents could meet and children could play safely, regardless of the weather.
“In Monaco, we dreamed of a warm, stroller-friendly café where parents could gather indoors while their children played in a space designed especially for them,” Ms. Ducruet said. “This shared dream is what we decided to bring to life.”
Located at 5 Boulevard Rainier III, Little Wonders positions itself as more than a playroom. The founders describe it as a “family cocoon,” combining early learning, imagination and shared moments within a carefully curated environment. Every area has been designed with close attention to safety, material quality and the comfort of both children and adults.
The venue is organized into distinct spaces that respond to different stages of early childhood. A dedicated baby area welcomes infants from birth to 18 months, offering calm, secure modules that encourage sensory exploration and free movement. For older children, a two-story play structure forms the physical and symbolic heart of the space, inviting climbing, sliding and active exploration while supporting the development of motor skills and confidence.
Imaginative play is encouraged through an imitation space and mini city, where children can recreate everyday scenes through role play. A separate area devoted to reading and construction games offers a quieter rhythm, allowing children to focus, build and engage with books. When not reserved for birthday celebrations or workshops, this space remains open for free play and creative downtime.
Parents are not an afterthought. A welcoming café area allows adults to sit, meet and share coffee or snacks while maintaining a clear view of the play zones. Child-friendly restrooms, adapted to young users, are designed to encourage independence while easing daily routines for caregivers.
“The space was designed exactly as we envisioned it,” Ms. Ducruet and Ms. Rouillard said in a joint statement. “A complete venue that meets the needs of children of different ages and their parents.”
The inauguration brought together partners, local stakeholders and invited guests for a first look at the venue. For the founders, the moment carried particular emotional weight. “It was the realization of a project that was very close to our hearts, imagined above all for our children, who are the true driving force behind Little Wonders,” they said.
Little Wonders will open to the public in early February and operate daily from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Admission is set at €28 for two hours for one child and one parent, with additional pricing for siblings, accompanying adults and children under one year old.
As it opens its doors, Little Wonders aims to become a reference point for families in Monaco - a place designed not only for play, but for connection, encounters and shared memories at the very start of family life.
Photo credits: Frédéric Nebinger / Prince’s Palace of Monaco