Public Beaches near Monaco

[ptaguer]

We have 10 hrs. in port (Villefranche). Plan to take public transportation to Monte Carlo to spend a few hours. Can someone recommend a nice public beach we can add to the itinerary for 2 - 3 hrs. (weather pending). Thanks!

[English Jane]

There is a nice little beach actually in Villefranche.

[BiggiB]

Bonjour, ptaguer!

By all means, bring your swimsuits for Monaco. There's a very clean public beach in Larvotto, with changing rooms, showers on the beach, clean WC, lounge chairs and umbrellas to rent, a lot of beach bars and bistros, some shops, a gym, a beach volley ball field and a large kids playground.

On top of it, a net is guarding the Bay successfully, to fend of jelly fish.

Since there are no real sandy beaches anywhere between the Italian border and Cannes, Monaco features small gravel for easier walking and more comfortable sitting on the beach.

In Monaco, you also go to the beach with city outfits - no "overdressing" in town :-), however, beach wear -like acceptable in resort areas- is not really the best idea for visiting the Principality and its wonderful monuments.

Have a wonderful day in town!

[cw2go]

Bonjour, ptaguer!

By all means, bring your swimsuits for Monaco. There's a very clean public beach in Larvotto, with changing rooms, showers on the beach, clean WC, lounge chairs and umbrellas to rent, a lot of beach bars and bistros, some shops, a gym, a beach volley ball field and a large kids playground.

On top of it, a net is guarding the Bay successfully, to fend of jelly fish.

Since there are no real sandy beaches anywhere between the Italian border and Cannes, Monaco features small gravel for easier walking and more comfortable sitting on the beach.

In Monaco, you also go to the beach with city outfits - no "overdressing" in town :-), however, beach wear -like acceptable in resort areas- is not really the best idea for visiting the Principality and its wonderful monuments.

Have a wonderful day in town!

 

 

Can you tell me if this beach is in walking distance and if so how to get there?

Thanks in advance,

patty

[BiggiB]

Hello Patty

Sorry to not have answered early; haven't been in CC for a while.

 

From Villefranche you take either the train or bus to Monaco. You get out of the bus at the port of Monaco and change for the local bus service line # 6 at the very same stop, which brings you directly to Larvotto Beach.

 

If you arrive by train, take the upper exit at the train station. Opposite the train station there's a bus stop for the local bus line # 4, and get off at Place du Moulin. Next to the bus stop is a public elevator (clearly indicated) which runs down to the beach. From there it is only a few minutes to the beach left of the Grimaldi Forum congress hall.

 

To get back, take the #6 bus to Saint Devote stop, from where you either take the bus #100 to Villefranche or the escalator up to the train station (lower exit/entrance).

The busses from / to Villefranche cost € 1; for the Monaco local lines it is easy to buy a multiple ticket for either 4 or 10 trips. Changing the bus line is easy and free within 30 minutes. Bus lines are indicated on the back of the city map. All busses feature small video screens indicating the routes and stops ahead.

 

The local bus line routes are on the web, too: http://www.cam.mc/cam_fr.htm

 

Have a sunny day on the beach!

[letsgo39]

The beaches are not pretty white sand but very rocky.No sand to be seen.

[cw2go]

Hello Patty

Sorry to not have answered early; haven't been in CC for a while.

 

From Villefranche you take either the train or bus to Monaco. You get out of the bus at the port of Monaco and change for the local bus service line # 6 at the very same stop, which brings you directly to Larvotto Beach.

 

If you arrive by train, take the upper exit at the train station. Opposite the train station there's a bus stop for the local bus line # 4, and get off at Place du Moulin. Next to the bus stop is a public elevator (clearly indicated) which runs down to the beach. From there it is only a few minutes to the beach left of the Grimaldi Forum congress hall.

 

To get back, take the #6 bus to Saint Devote stop, from where you either take the bus #100 to Villefranche or the escalator up to the train station (lower exit/entrance).

The busses from / to Villefranche cost € 1; for the Monaco local lines it is easy to buy a multiple ticket for either 4 or 10 trips. Changing the bus line is easy and free within 30 minutes. Bus lines are indicated on the back of the city map. All busses feature small video screens indicating the routes and stops ahead.

 

The local bus line routes are on the web, too: http://www.cam.mc/cam_fr.htm

 

Have a sunny day on the beach!

 

 

Thank you! :)

[TLCOhio]

The beaches are not pretty white sand but very rocky.No sand to be seen.

 

BiggiB: Since there are no real sandy beaches anywhere between the Italian border and Cannes' date=' Monaco features small gravel for easier walking and more comfortable sitting on the beach. [/quote']

 

YES! Good and important "buyer beware" warning for what to expect with beaches in this area of France. The beaches in this general area 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 in the late fall, winter and early spring. Sunny, probably. Windy, maybe. Not trying to be negative, just realistic! Timing in this area is important! Movie-like expectations must be matched with reality and your timing for visits in this area. Also some of the best beaches in a few peak areas are reserved for private hotel or resort use only. Not all of the best beaches are open to the general public.

 

The views and vistas are super great!! The slopes are just not gentle as the mountain are so close and towering over the limited amount of land between these peaks and the sea. Did not Cary Grant and Grace Kelly seem to be having fun there? So glamorous and exciting?!

 

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

 

For lots of interesting details, great visuals, etc., from our July 1-16 Norway Coast/Fjords/Arctic Circle cruise experience from Copenhagen on the Silver Cloud, check out this posting. Don’t be shy and feel free to ask any questions of interest. This posting is now over 25,600 views. Appreciate those who have “tuned in”.

http://www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1227923

[BiggiB]

The beaches are not pretty white sand but very rocky.No sand to be seen.

 

Monaco beaches are "artificial", with tiny pebbles and more comfortable to walk on / lay on then in Nice or other places on the coast. Besides, there are various beach clubs with lounge chairs and umbrellas, for reasonable rates.

Further advantage of Monaco: We got a jelly-fish-netting in front of the beach, keeping the waters save to swim, and the rocky coastline keeps the water clear and clean.

If white sandy beaches are your dream for a "day-at-the-beach" you have to travel as far as the Saint Tropez peninsula and the Var region, or to Corsica.

One more information: The Monte-Carlo Bay Hotel has a freeform lagoon/pool filled with sand from Dubai :). Entrance fees apply, giving access to the lagoon, and the tropical indoor/outdoor pool with access to the lagoon. It's beautiful.

[BiggiB]

@Terry in Ohio: Would love to get in contact with you to exchange experiences, since we both post a lot of times in the same threads. My email: travel_design@libello.com. Kind regards, Biggi

[TLCOhio]

@Terry in Ohio: Would love to get in contact with you to exchange experiences, since we both post a lot of times in the same threads. My email: travel_design@libello.com. Kind regards, Biggi

 

THANKS for the comments! Have sent a note to you via e-mail. Look forward to learning more from you. Our planned June 2011 cruise would have us visiting Villefranche. Monaco was a little too urban, congested and "boring" for me. Nice to say I've been there and have pictures, but not a place that is compelling to do again. Like more the charm and interest of smaller villages, special vistas and landscapes, unique history and art, etc. Villefranche seems very interesting and "special". But, which villages to visit. Will probably rent a car for our group of four. Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

 

For lots of interesting details, great visuals, etc., from our July 1-16 Norway Coast/Fjords/Arctic Circle cruise experience from Copenhagen on the Silver Cloud, check out this posting. Don’t be shy and feel free to ask any questions of interest. This posting is now over 25,700 views. Appreciate those who have “tuned in”.

http://www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1227923

[Hlitner]

We would just add that for those used to the wonderful sandy beaches found in many parts of the US, the Cote d'Azur beaches are very underwhelming. In fact, most would be totally unused if put in the US. For those who like beaches full of pebbles and rocks, France has much to offer. Personally, we do like the free beach just west of the old port (near the tender pier) of Cannes, but east of Cannes we usually skip the so-called beaches and dream about being in the Greek Islands :)

 

Hank