Villefranche to Monte Carlo?

[mattR]

What is the best way to get from Villefranche to Monte Carlo? What is the best thing to do in Monte Carlo? I am interested in it mainly cause it is in so many movies and would like to see the harbor with all the fancy boats and fancy cars. Ship is in from 9:30 - 6pm on Jul 22/16. Are there any segway tours or such? Will be my son (18) and myself (41) so would maybe like something active.

[Hlitner]

As to the best way you have two choices which is the the regional bus #100 or walking up the steps to the train station and taking the train. Both are good options although the bus runs more often and has stops slightly more central than the Monte Carlo train station. As to why you want to go to MC, we have no clue. DW and I have spent many months in the region (in hotels, apartments and on cruises) and have no love of Monte Carlo. But some folks seem to be taken by the mystique and far be it for us to dictate what others like. We have no clue as to whether there are Segway tours in Monte Carlo, but given the attitude of the locals it is hard to imagine them allowing segways on their sidewalks. They prefer Ferrari's, Lamborghini's, etc.

 

So, perhaps you need to go there are form our own opinion. As to us, we sill stick with our Nice (especially the Flower Market and Old Town), Eze Village, St Paul de Vence, Antibes, etc.

 

Hank

Edited March 9, 2016 by Hlitner

[John Bull]

Hank - you've got no soul :D

Monte Carlo is a must-visit bucket-list place. :)

 

Train is an attractive fifteen minute walk from the tender pier and the journey is cheap, quick (10-15mins), easy & scenic, and runs every half-hour. Station in MC is pretty convenient.

Have never taken the bus, but have often seen it recommended on this forum.

 

Best bet is to first head up the steep hill (there are buses) to the Royal Palace, cathedral, oceanography & other museums, Palais de Justice & other sights of the administrative quarter, and views down on the city & port. An inexpensive land-train tour runs down into town, taking in parts of the Grand Prix circuit, the casino, & the harbour with its gin-palaces. Annoyingly, this isn't a hop-on service - it takes you back to where you started.

 

If you have the time, having seen the lie of the land from the land-train, you can walk the casino, harbour, etc.

I've visited several times but could never figure the exact route of the Grand Prix lap.

Last time was a week or two before the Grand Prix, the barriers were in place, the pits up & running and the stands erected making the route simple to follow.

The lap is about 2 miles

We walked it in about 45 minutes.

The following week Kimi Raikkonen did it in 1 minute 13.4 seconds :cool:

 

JB :)

Edited March 9, 2016 by John Bull

[Keith1010]

Consider taking the train.

 

I happen to be one who loves many of these areas and that includes Monte Carlo.

 

Go to the Palace. Also to the Church near the Paris. Also beautiful gardens near by. The Oceanaire Museum is quite nice. Walk 30 minutes from there over to the Casino. No need to go inside the Casino but a nice place to people watch and browse the stores.

 

Smell the flowers; figuratively or literally. Have lunch there.

 

There is a lot to do and enjoy.

 

Keith

[lamchops]

Visited Villefranche, Eze Village, and Monte Carlo yesterday. We had a car but have done it by train. I would recommend doing it by train to save time. I think an 18 year old would enjoy all the exotic cars and yachts. The hike up to the palace for the "changing of the guards" and the harbour area is a fun way of spending an afternoon.

 

You could always take a 10 minute train ride to Nice Ville but I think an 18 year old would prefer Monte Carlo.

[Hlitner]

LOL JB. Added MC to our "bucket list" a long time ago (when you were still in diapers) and have worked hard at avoiding the place ever since :). Funny thing is that we will again be docked there next month....and will quickly make our exit via bus or rental car (haven't decided yet). To us going to MC is like the dentist, you have to do it...but you do not have to like it :).

 

Hank

[Keith1010]

Hank, I learned a long time ago that the only opinion that matters is our own.

 

I also learned to give things a second chance.

 

In our case, we visited Monte Carlo for the first time in August, 1998. Very hot. And very crowded. Didn't care for it. Returned in October, 2005. Weather was great. Not so crowded.Really enjoyed it. Since that time have been back here five additional times including last May for the Grand Prix. Have enjoyed it each and overtime.

 

But in the end, I encourage each person to see as many places that you can when you travel and figure out what you like and what you don't like.

 

IF we all had the same likes/dislikes the world would be a rather boring place.

 

Choice is great.

 

Keith

[KirkNC]

I understand wanting to visit MC once or twice but agree with Hank, we would rather be elsewhere.

[Keith1010]

Kirk, on most of our cruises we've had overnights in Monte Carlo. One to two nights so we have time to be not only in Monte Carlo but in other areas too.

 

And each time brings different opportunities. Last May brought us the opportunity to be there for Grand Prix. Totally different then other times of the year.

 

Choice is good though.

 

Keith

[John Bull]

OK, so it's Hank and Kirk versus Keith and JB.

Let battle commence :D

 

Its main appeal, compared to other equally scenic places along the French & Italian Rivieras, is the uniqueness of its history and culture and its place in society - perhaps understood more by Europeans than Americans.

It's an autonomous country, but in many ways it's a part of France.

It's ruled by a prince, he's not just a figurehead like kings & queens elsewhere in Europe. Yet he's more a "lord of the manor" than a prince or a political leader - perhaps even a playboy.

 

A tiny pocket of many of the world's most well-known & well-heeled people - most of those who are "somebody" in their own country are nobody in Monaco.

Proud of your BMW 5-series? You won't be in Monaco, they're ten-a-penny.

Want your Ferrari or Lambo to be admired? Show it off in small-town America, because in Monaco it's run-of-the-mill, except for some gawking tourists.

Likewise the gin palaces in the harbour. It's always packed with exotic craft - you'll see the owners on their shiny spotless craft, lounging on the aft decks, sipping cocktails & reading newspapers. They rarely venture out to sea - what's the point, there's nobody out there to admire or be envious. :rolleyes:

Monaco is a place to see and be seen.

 

A shallow town, full of pomposity and decadence. Rodeo Drive can't hold a light to it. A shining example of how unequal the world is.

Not my sort of place, I'm just :D out of the price bracket. But it's unique.

Been there a dozen times or more, but I can only ever hack it for a day at a time.

Makes it an ideal port-of-call for folk like me.;)

And somewhere everyone should visit at least once, if only to see how the other half live.

 

JB :)

[Keith1010]

JB, I agree with all you have said. +1 Keith and JB. :)

 

Keith

[zoncom]

Monaco is one square mile.Not for me either, but takes little time to see on way to other sites like the hill towns, Nice and Cannes.You will not be allowed in Casino unless well dressed.

[Keith1010]

Some photos of Monte Carlo

 

You can easily spend a full day here or more touring each and every venue.

 

Sure you can walk through some in minutes but that is not what travel is to me. It is taking your time and absorbing all that is in front of your nose.

 

And part of travel is discovery.

 

Keith

 

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Ocean Museum

 

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[pspercy]

Don't have to go as far as that. The outer harbour in Antibes has some really fancy vessls, then there's the Picasso mueum. If you have time don't forget Vence / St Paul. Whole area is great.

 

Sent from my Lenovo TAB 2 A8-50F using Tapatalk

[Keith1010]

You can just sit home too and surf the internet and see everything virtually.

 

Keith

[buggins0402]

I understand wanting to visit MC once or twice but agree with Hank, we would rather be elsewhere.

 

Same here. From Villefranche, I guess it's a decent consideration as long as Nice isn't missed. But, what causes me to scratch my head and wonder why, are those who want to do it from Cannes on a short port day.

[Taay Chi]

if you like fancy cars and boats, doing to a full day Riviera tour to include Nice and Monte Carlo would be great because there are so many amazing cars and yachts to admire. A stop on the way in Eze to admire the breathtaking view is also worthwhile. Your guide can take you to visit the Monaco Top cars private collection in the museum in Monaco. My hushand and I hired a driver with an 8 seater van and we posted a roll call. We got 3 more passengers to join us. It's a fully private tour so you can ask the guid to stop and spend more time at certain places. We contacted Nancy who is local and she arranged everthing for us.

[syesmar]

Here's an older threads with ideas: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2223631

 

If you like cars, there is a museum highlighting Prince Albert's vintage collection:

http://www.visitmonaco.com/us/Places-to-visit/Museums/Exhibition-of-HSH-The-Prince-of-Monaco’s-Vintage-Car-Collection

 

If you end your day near the Casino looking at cars, Bus 100 has a nearby stop and passes through Villefranche on its way to Nice. (Just mark your stops in advance and know how to get back to the port). http://www.lifeinriviera.com/pdf/schedule/lignesdazur/100.pdf

 

Whatever you choose, enjoy!!!

[GAscrapper]

Here's an older threads with ideas: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2223631

 

If you like cars, there is a museum highlighting Prince Albert's vintage collection:

http://www.visitmonaco.com/us/Places-to-visit/Museums/Exhibition-of-HSH-The-Prince-of-Monaco’s-Vintage-Car-Collection

 

If you end your day near the Casino looking at cars, Bus 100 has a nearby stop and passes through Villefranche on its way to Nice. (Just mark your stops in advance and know how to get back to the port). http://www.lifeinriviera.com/pdf/schedule/lignesdazur/100.pdf

 

Whatever you choose, enjoy!!!

 

Assuming the Bus 100 also stops somewhere near the Palace/Church? Do you know which stop that would be? And which of the Villefrance stops would be closest to the port?

[mattR]

We had to wait in a fairly long line (20min) to by our train ticket at the Villefranche station then once we got out to the platform noticed the self serve ticket machine so we were disappointed with ourselves as were many other people once they saw it:) We never missed a train because of it though so that's good. If you go to the aquarium if you show your train ticket you get a good discount.