Monte Carlo French Riviera

After a healthy breakfast at basecamp it was decided by the boss lady that we should head along the coast and visit Monte Carlo on the French Riviera. I had to agree of course. This would be our second visit, i think last time was back in 2008. So i knew that the coast road would be an absolute great scenic drive. A quick look at google maps and the route was planned.

Security at Camping L’hippodrome is great as you can’t get past the barrier without a key. So caravan is quite safe on site. I also have a hitch lock fitted so double security. We have always been very careful to ensure the van is safely secured since we had one stolen outside Shrewsbury in the UK in 2018.

Villefranche-sur-Mer and Beaulieu-sur-Mer

It’s a pretty straight run from basecamp into nice around on old town through the port and onto the M6098. This the road that takes you along one of the most beautiful coastlines in Europe. the first point of interest is a stop on the cliff road just before you enter the town of Villefranche-sur-Mer. Then it’s on to Beaulieu-sur-Mer another little hidden gem.

Monte Carlo Monaco — Looking back at the Port of Nice

We didn’t spend to long here put we wanted to. The beach and water looked very inviting but we were on a mission and headed back to the car. Back on the M6098 we weaved through some tunnels cut through the cliff face and came to another couple of small towns.

Eze and Saint-Laurent

It was in Eze that we saw our dream house sitting right on the beach, see if you can spot it. The road through Saint Laurent is abit of a house shoe shape but great views looking down towards the ocean. Pretty tropical and green. Not to far out of Monaco now.

So looking forward to driving into Monaco and to make it easy to parked in the first car park we saw which was Parking Saint Antoine. What i didn’t find out until writing this blog was that this car park is still in France. So we actually walked over the border between France and Monaco, past the stade Louis 11 stadium and on to the Port de Fontvieille.

Entering Monte Carlo

From the Port de Fontvieille we headed into the main township. This our second visit to Monte Carlo so we had a reasonable idea where everything was. It was now just after midday and the hunger pains were just starting to bit. We headed down to he famous marina on the lookout for a nice restaurant with views. Well couldn’t see much for the mess left over from the Monaco GP, so head back up through the Rue Princess Caroline where we found lots of food places. We settled for a nice little place called Puzzle, in the Rue De Orangers. .

Puzzle food was very nice and not too expensive. Main course with side salad and glass of wine, sweet and coffee was 40 euros for two. After lunch feeling abit like i need a siesta so wake up and get some movement happening.

Walkabout after Lunch

Thought we would get some nice pictures of the marina and Monaco itself if we walked up to the Palace. It was a bit of a slog but we make it. Best views if you go up the Avenue de la Porte Neuve and come down the Rampe de la Major. Some of our photos on the way up.

As we walked along the avenue Saint Martin we admired the well kept apartments with views over the ocean and joked about how nice it would be to live here. Mind you anything is possible so we don’t rule anything out. As we reached the end of the avenue two very distinct buildings stood out and they where Saint Nicholas Cathedral and Palace of Justice. From here we cut through the old town.

There’s a Palace at the Top

And yes after a stroll through the old town and picking up a couple of souvenirs we emerged into the palace square. We all remember the 007 days were James Bond played roulet in the casino and raced along the coast road in his Aston Martin. Home of the rich and famous. And do we remember the wedding of the hollywood actress to the Prince of Monaco, Prince Rainier. 18 April 1956.

Grace Kelly’s grandfather on her father’s side came from Co Mayo in Ireland. She bought the cottage he grew up in and planned to build a holiday home closeby. This didn’t eventuate as she sadly died in a car accident in 1982. She opened an Irish library in Monaco which still exists and worth a visit.

*Note: Just loved that sculpture in the town parklands by Anna Chromý carved from a single block of white marble in which she called it Clock of Conscience. So what does this bring to mind??

So here we are out in front of the Palace of Monaco. Scattered around Monaco are a number of black and white photographs of Princess Grace and Prince Rainier. Mainly depicting special events. The one above was my favorite. I hope they don’t mind me using it in our visit to Monaco blog.

Back Down the Hill

Just to the right of the palace behind the François Grimaldi Statue you will find the way back down to Avenue de Port on the Rampe de la Major. Another great spot for pictures. And this takes us to the end of our visit to Monaco. It should be on your bucket list. We didn’t do the casio, been there done that before. There are lots we didn’t cover though and will leave it up to you to cover..