Monte Carlo vs. Nice or Cannes ?

[islandmandan]

I'll be in Monte Carlo for only a day in early September [Ruby Princess]. Is it better to stay in Monte Carlo and see all that it has to offer or take a tour to Nice or Cannes for the day? Any help would be appreciated :)

[Cruise Junky]

Really depends on what you want to see. I'm not a big fan of Cannes but we do love Monaco and I know a lot of others don't. If you are docking/Tendering in Monaco I'd have a tendency to stay there, visit the palace the aquarium, have a lovely lunch. Or opt for a ships tour (or take the bus) up to Eze and then spend a little time in Monaco in the afternoon. How long are you in for?

[Hlitner]

There is really no right or wrong answer to your question since it is one of those personal preference things. Personally, my wife and I do not have any love of Monte Carlo and quickly leave the place whenever we happen to be there (be it on a cruise or passing through with our car). Others love Monte Carlo. My only advice would be to cross Cannes off your list since its quite a distance from Monte Carlo (over an hour) and not nearly as nice of a destination as many other places in the region. Certainly look into Nice and also Eze (you can do both of these in a port day) and it would even be possible to still spend a little time in Monte Carlo.

 

Hank

[islandmandan]

We are docked from 11:00 am - 7:00 pm. How far is it from Monte Carlo to Nice [timewise]? Also, is Eze a must see? If so, how long does it take to get there? Thanks for your input

[CTCruisers]

We are planning to walk over to the train station and take the train to Nice and walk around old Nice for a few hours before heading back to Monaco.

 

We might possibly take the quick little (30 minute) tour train of Monte Carlo before heading back to the ship.

 

Nice is about a 30 minute train ride.

[hubofhockey]

We only have eight hours docking in Monaco. I hope we have enough time to take train/bus to Nice and see Chagall and Matisse museum and then go to the old town before heading back to the ship.

[Hlitner]

We only have eight hours docking in Monaco. I hope we have enough time to take train/bus to Nice and see Chagall and Matisse museum and then go to the old town before heading back to the ship.

 

You should be able to get that all in during your day, but do try to get a very early start. Nice is very nice.

 

Hank

[TLCOhio]

Agree with some of the comments by Hank and others to skip Cannes. As mentioned, I would consider Eze. It is very special. Like a "piece of Heaven." Here are my notes, comments and tips on this super charming village:

 

COASTAL SUGGESTION: The old village of Eze, along the coast between Nice and Monaco, hangs up in the mountains above the water and crowds. It's wonderful to visit. Great, great views! Totally charming! Have lunch or dinner there at one of the two great eating places and feel like you're sitting on the edge of paradise! We ate at the Château Eza. Its website: http://www.chateauezarestaurant.com. At 1,407 feet above the Mediterranean, Eze offers commanding views of cliffs, sea, sprawling estates and off-shore islands. The village's narrow streets or more really paths among the buildings lead to the Jardin Exotique It is a maze of paths flanked by mammoth flowering plants and spiky cactuses. For about $3, you can walk up to the best view on the French Riviera. On a clear day, you can see Corsica! It does not get much better than Eze. Their tourism office:

http://www.eze-riviera.com

 

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

[islandmandan]

From one Buckeye to another ,THANKS TLCOhio !! Eze sounds and looks beautiful. Do you suggest seeing Monte Carlo first then making our way to Eze in the afternoon? Have you been to Nice? I guess I'm asking what would you do with about seven hours starting at Monte Carlo's port? Thanks again Terry. Danny and Tina from Ohio

[Sunshine61250]

Hi! Is it easy to get to Eze on your own from Villefranche? Any advice on how to do it? Thanks so much!

 

Joy

[CTCruisers]

Hi! Is it easy to get to Eze on your own from Villefranche? Any advice on how to do it? Thanks so much!

 

Joy

 

There are busses that constantly run in the area.

 

You can google it.

 

http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g187222-i1916-k53981-Getting_from_Villefranche_to_Eze_to_Monaco_and_back-Eze_French_Riviera_Cote_d_Azur_Provence.html

 

Or do a search function in this board for EZE.

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=403563

[TLCOhio]

From one Buckeye to another ,THANKS TLCOhio !! Eze sounds and looks beautiful. Do you suggest seeing Monte Carlo first then making our way to Eze in the afternoon? Have you been to Nice? I guess I'm asking what would you do with about seven hours starting at Monte Carlo's port? Thanks again Terry. Danny and Tina from Ohio

 

THANKS, Danny and Tina! What you see and do in this area depends much on your own personal interests, travel style, etc. How much you're seeking history, shopping, culture, etc.???

 

Then what and how do you want to 'ENJOY" and "EXPERIENCE" things in France, etc? Rush-rush and gulp it down like soda pop or beer . . . OR . . . sip and savor the moment like fine wine, doing people watching, sensing an enjoyment of life and the humanity, the architecture, history and charm? It's your choice.

 

Personally, it's nice to say you've been in Monaco and seen it. We did, but didn't spend lots of time there. Lots of Monaco and the other two key cities is crowded and high cost.

 

I liked Eze because it was so charming, interesting and have such great views. Nice is fine, but it is a large city with lots of traffic, especially during peak tourism times. Lots and lots of people (both residents and visitors), too many cars, too few highways and limited land between the mountains and sea to hold all comfortably and easily. The movies have made these large cities along this narrow coast seem attractive and appealing. Do not Cary Grant and Grace Kelly seem to be having fun there? So glamorous and exciting?! For movies, they make it seem so wonderful. If you are rich and in the “best, right” areas, it can seem and be wonderful. BUT, that congestion might be a turn-off. It depends on what are you expecting, seeking and willing to pay for to hang with the rich and avoid the mobs in these famed areas.

 

When are you visiting? It is NOT always hot and perfect beach weather during all months of the year in this region, especially in the November to April period. Also, the beaches are not all perfect, nice and sandy, gently sloped, etc., as some have experienced in Florida, the Carolinas, California, etc. The movie images paint a perfect picture! BUT, in many areas for some months, the beaches can be rocky and the weather mostly in the 50's and 60's.

 

Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

[Cruise Junky]

Here's the link to the Eze Village bus schedule from Monaco or Nice..they're not that regular and usually late. You can however take the more frequent bus and Eze sur mer and then wait for the shuttle. I don't know however if that 112 runs through Villefrance.

 

http://www.eze-riviera.com/emotions/deplacement/bus.htm

[islandmandan]

Thanks for your reply Terry. We will be there Sept. 3 of this year, and from what I'm gathering I think we'll see Monte Carlo for a few hours then go ahead to Eze and maybe get a bite to eat there. Trying to see all three [Monte Carlo, Eze, and Nice ] in the time we are allotted would be too hectic and counter productive. Does that sound reasonable ? Thanks again, Danny and Tina

[Hlitner]

Regarding buses from Villefranche I will try to simplify the issue. There are no direct buses from the port to the village of Eze! There are direct buses to Eze from both Nice and Monte Carlo (actually the same bus line runs between these two cities with a stop at Eze Village). It is also possible to go directly from the port to Eze/Bord sur Mer, which is a small train station (also a bus stop) that lies along the coast below the village of Eze. From the Eze/Bord sur Mer stop there is a shuttle bus that runs up to Eze Village, but it does have a somewhat irregular schedule (they used to take a few hours off for lunch). One also must be cognizant of all the regional bus lines in that they do not run every few minutes on many of the routes. In other words, those that love buses can often find they waste an awful lot of time waiting for buses. There are bus schedules posted at the various bus stops and also on-line (although it helps to read some French). The regional bus carrier is called TER.

 

Hank

[sheffer]

Dear Cruise Junky, Thanks for the website - there appear to be 2 stops in Monte Carlo on the #112 - Roqueville and La Cremaillere. They are 5 minutes apart. Are they 2 different stops? Which one did you take. How did you get there from the port?

[Cruise Junky]

Dear Cruise Junky, Thanks for the website - there appear to be 2 stops in Monte Carlo on the #112 - Roqueville and La Cremaillere. They are 5 minutes apart. Are they 2 different stops? Which one did you take. How did you get there from the port?

 

Hi - they go in different directions, going to Eze, we got on at La Cremaillere and coming back, we got off at Roqueville. We were staying in Monaco for 5 nights after our Greek Island cruise. I think we just took the bus up to the Casino and then walked there from our hotel. The Monaco bus system is the best I've ever seen. They run every 6 minutes all over the principality and it's cheap!!

 

Here's the bus routes...

http://www.cam.mc/cam_fr.htm

[sheffer]

Thanks Cruise Junky-Eze sounds awesome.

[Cruise Junky]

Thanks Cruise Junky-Eze sounds awesome.

 

It is really nice. We try and get up there whenever we're in the area and hope to make it back a 4th time in July :) We're staying in St. Paul de Vence for three nights on our land trip... The views are just stunning.

[Cheesi]

Found this which gives info on the buses from Nice to Eze for anyone interested

 

http://www.lignedazur.com/plan/index.asp?rub_code=5

[motherchic]

Agree with some of the comments by Hank and others to skip Cannes. As mentioned, I would consider Eze. It is very special. Like a "piece of Heaven." Here are my notes, comments and tips on this super charming village:

 

COASTAL SUGGESTION: The old village of Eze, along the coast between Nice and Monaco, hangs up in the mountains above the water and crowds. It's wonderful to visit. Great, great views! Totally charming! Have lunch or dinner there at one of the two great eating places and feel like you're sitting on the edge of paradise! We ate at the Château Eza. Its website: http://www.chateauezarestaurant.com. At 1,407 feet above the Mediterranean, Eze offers commanding views of cliffs, sea, sprawling estates and off-shore islands. The village's narrow streets or more really paths among the buildings lead to the Jardin Exotique It is a maze of paths flanked by mammoth flowering plants and spiky cactuses. For about $3, you can walk up to the best view on the French Riviera. On a clear day, you can see Corsica! It does not get much better than Eze. Their tourism office:

http://www.eze-riviera.com

 

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

Hi Terry,

Eze sounds just lovely. I can walk but have a problem with inclines. Is there a way to see Eze for someone like me

Thank you

Nadine

[Hlitner]

Hi Terry,

Eze sounds just lovely. I can walk but have a problem with inclines. Is there a way to see Eze for someone like me

Thank you

Nadine

 

Honestly no. Eze, like most of the old walled villages in France has lots of inclines and uneven surfaces.

 

Hank

[San Diego Ellie]

How far is the walk from the Monte Carlo port to the train station (to take train to Nice)?

[Hlitner]

Distance wise it is about 1/2 mile. But, Monte Carlo is a hilly city and this walk does involve some slopes. I would suggest using the local buses (there are several routes that go to the gare) and you can get the best bus info from the local tourist folks that will meet your ship. Another alternative is to simply take the regional bus to Nice. The bus stop is quite a bit closer than the train and you do get a better view from the bus. It's also a lot cheaper.

 

Hank