Miniatur Wunderland Debuts Monaco and Provence with F1 Magnetic Racetrack

Miniatur Wunderland marked a major expansion of its staged layout on January 2, 2026, when it opened the Monaco & Provence area. The Monaco presentation occupies 70 square metres and centers on a 22-meter-long, scale Formula 1 racetrack that runs individually driven miniature racecars using an advanced magnetic control architecture. The official opening was attended by Monaco’s princely family, underscoring the project’s high profile.

The racetrack’s realism rests on magnetic propulsion and precise digital control. Developers employed Halbach arrays and a network of control and positioning boards to create individually driven, programmable cars. Dozens of control and positioning modules are installed beneath the surface, and extensive control code ties vehicle positioning, speed profiles, and race choreography together. That combination of hardware and software gives the cars independent motion while allowing synchronized race sequences and visitor-triggered interactions.

The build was substantial in scale and cost. Project teams logged more than 150,000 working hours and the construction ran to multimillion-euro costs, reflecting the integration of complex electromechanical systems, electronics, and finely detailed scenery. The Monaco & Provence addition fits into Miniatur Wunderland’s broader staged expansion approach, with South America and other themed areas planned or underway, demonstrating a long-term investment in both new fabrications and interactive technology.

For modelers, club layout operators, and museum professionals, the project offers concrete takeaways. The use of Halbach arrays illustrates a magnetic approach that concentrates field strength on the working side and helps provide lateral guidance without visible mechanical rails. The modular control-board architecture shows a path to scalability: dozens of positioning modules can be distributed and networked to manage many independently controlled vehicles. The extensive software effort highlights that mechanical innovation must be matched by robust control code to handle positioning, collision avoidance, and visitor-driven scenarios.

Visitor experience is central to the design. Programmable cars and race choreography create dynamic spectacles that increase dwell time and repeat visits, while the scale and detail sustain close viewing. Compare the space requirements, investment level, and engineering complexity of this installation before attempting similar systems in community projects. As Miniatur Wunderland moves forward with additional themed areas, Monaco & Provence will serve as a benchmark for interactive model attractions and a practical reference for those exploring magnetic drive and distributed control in layout design.