Monaco / Monte-Carlo

You see it every year if you watch F1, it’s been in Bond films and it’s a millionaires playground, but it’s also a beautiful place to visit.

I’ve been lucky enough to visit Monaco three times, though the first time I was only 10! But each time it’s left a lasting impression. Yes, you need plenty of money if you want to move there, but the people who already live there, from shop workers in the local Spar to the Maitre’d at the Cafe De Paris are friendly and appreciate they’re lucky to live where they do. In the case of the Maitre’d, your money as a day tripper, is as good as any local high flier, and he treats you the same. There’s a few places could learn much!

Homework

Depending upon how you’re getting there (see below), if you only have a day to visit the principality, you definitely need to plan it well, but it’s an easy day trip. Some places, especially the Musee Oceanographique can easily consume a couple of hours seemingly in the blink of an eye.

It’s definitely worth checking to see if there’s a special event on, be it a stage show, music concert, art exhibition, whatever floats your boat, including boats, Monaco probably has an event. As for the Formula 1 weekend, usually the end of May, unless you’re prepared to spend £2000 to stand on someone’s balcony for an afternoon, or more for an official ticket, it’s best avoided.

Check out: https://www.visitmonaco.com/en. To see what’s on.

Getting There – Getting Around

Monaco has no airport of its own, though there is a heliport if you want to land your Augusta A109 maybe, or your JetRanger.

Nice is the closest airport, with direct flight from numerous UK airports depending upon day of departure, though prices vary dramatically! Indirect flights can actually be dearer for a change, with Amsterdam and Barcelona being popular switch over airports.

The principality is a popular stop off for cruise liners, but usually they will anchor in nearby Villefranche-Sur-Mer as there’s limited quay length in Monaco itself, so much depends on how large your ship is. We’ve done both and actually docking there is rather nice!

Villefranche is about 30 minutes away by road or rail and come in via the train you’ll discover the railway station in Monaco is underground. The service is regular, about every half hour and probably works out cheaper than a taxi.

Monaco / Monte Carlo is definitely a walking city, all the main locations are easily accessed on foot, with a few hillier climbs or stairways in some cases as you move from one part to the other. Parking is limited and generally underground, so if you’re in a camper, you’ll need to check beforehand on height restrictions, or leave it further out.

For something special, with a day in Monaco added on, there’s a journey that’s captured my imagination and is definitely on my “one day” list. Breakfast in London, lunch in Paris and dinner in Nice. Sound interesting?

Catch an early Eurostar from St Pancras International to Paris Gare de Nord, then change stations to Gare De Lyon and take lunch at Le Train Blue. Board a TGV for Nice and enjoy a 6 hour high speed journey through France, before alighting at Gare de Nice-Ville. Then take a cab to your hotel and enjoy dinner, preferably staring out into the Mediterranean on the Promenade Des Anglaise as the sun sets behind you. It’s not as expensive as you might think either! https://www.seat61.com

Accommodation

We’ve not actually stayed overnight in Monaco, but doing the homework for the special train journey above, curiosity got the better of me. You truly can go from the reasonable to the ridiculous here, it depends on your budget!

A couple of nights in a nice little apartment hotel or small family run place with a short walk into the main area, and you’re looking at around £180-230 per night. Fancy pushing the boat out and staying at the Hotel de Paris? Add a 0 on the end, per night! You may need a win at the casino to pay your credit card…

What To See/Do

An early start and you can easily see the best bits of Monaco in a day.

Formula 1 fans will doubtless want to walk the circuit. You’re probably best starting near the swimming pools complex and heading towards Rascasse. That puts Casino Square about half way round and you can take a pit-stop at the Cafe De Paris. Enjoy wonderful ice cream sundaes, or whatever else takes your fancy, but don’t linger too long people watching (it’s THE place).

Carry on and you’ll find the famous hairpin, down the hill, into the equally famous tunnel, and come out the other end back into the yacht club area and the swimming pools where you started.

For something different, there’s some beautiful Japanese Gardens near the sea front along Avenue Princess Grace. These are free to walk around or sit and enjoy, a haven amidst the hi-rise.

Need some retail therapy? Venture underground in the Metropole Shopping Centre. Forget your average mall, this is Monte-Carlo, think chandeliers, ornate staircases and marble floors!

Away from the centre and a walk uphill, and you’ll find the Royal Palace. Magnificent from the outside, and everything you’d expect of a royal palace on the inside.

Wander through the narrow streets nearby and down the hill, you’ll likely pass the impressive Cathedral de Monaco. Keep going and you will eventually arrive at Musee Oceanographique. Be prepared to lose a couple of hours here, being educated about all things aquatic.

For the over 18’s only and suitably attired, “Mr? Bond, James Bond”, finish your day by trying to win enough to become a Monégasque at Le Casino Monte-Carlo. Open in 10-1 just for look around and then 2pm until late for all manner of ways to lose your shirt.

General Info

Surrounded by hills and looking out onto the Mediterranean, Monaco / Monte-Carlo is an enchanting place. Definitely one of the world’s special places, but it’s difficult to put your finger on why, it’s just unique.

All photographs taken with Olympus E-M5 and m.Zuiko 12-50 kit lens.
(Yes, a few years since we’ve been, must book that train journey!)