Grand Casino help for handicapped

[dlhoward]

We will be in the port of Villefranche and one of the people in our party wants to go to the Grand Casino in Monte Carlo. He has trouble walking. The shore excursion from the ship says walking up alot of steps. Will a taxi or private car take you to the door? If we get a taxi from the ship to the casino, are there taxis outside to get us back. Will taking a taxi be a problem. Our main concern is him being able to get up to the door. If he can't he won't be able to go.

[Andym]

Monte Carlo and Monaco is very hilly. There are lots of steps everywhere, BUT it is doable for someone with limited walking dificulties.

 

It sounds as if you friend has severe walking dificulties. You could get a taxi from the port to Monte carlo, but it would probably be very expensive.

 

There are steps up to the casino from the roadside, Google 'Monte Carlo casino' images and have a look.

 

What worries me is that Villefranche is a tender port, will he be ok getting on and off the tender?

[CintiPam]

Monte Carlo and Monaco is very hilly. There are lots of steps everywhere, BUT it is doable for someone with limited walking dificulties.

 

It sounds as if you friend has severe walking dificulties. You could get a taxi from the port to Monte carlo, but it would probably be very expensive.

 

There are steps up to the casino from the roadside, Google 'Monte Carlo casino' images and have a look.

 

What worries me is that Villefranche is a tender port, will he be ok getting on and off the tender?

 

Cruise ship crews are very experienced getting people with varying degrees of mobility on and off tenders safely. I would not worry about that at all.

[cruisingrus]

We will be in the port of Villefranche and one of the people in our party wants to go to the Grand Casino in Monte Carlo. He has trouble walking. The shore excursion from the ship says walking up alot of steps. Will a taxi or private car take you to the door? If we get a taxi from the ship to the casino, are there taxis outside to get us back. Will taking a taxi be a problem. Our main concern is him being able to get up to the door. If he can't he won't be able to go.

There are elevators in various areas of Monte Carlo to get up to the casino. I found a map online showing where all the elevators are located, however I am out of town now so don't have the website readily available.

I found it by googling different things and then it showed up. Hope this helps a little.

[BiggiB]

Bonjour !

Here is the information you might need:

 

Taxis will take you from the Villefranche pier directly into Monte-Carlo and right up to the front of the Casino Monte-Carlo. There are a few steps up to the building, maybe 5 or 6.

The taxi ride might cost you approx. 50 - 60€ one way; taxis take usually a max of 3 guests (2 in the back, 1 in front). All taxis have a meter to indicate costs. It is already a nice trip to get into Monaco along the winding coastal road.

 

All around the Casino is easy walking: Try the beautiful terraces "behind" the building - by walking between Hotel de Paris and Casino, down a few steps onto the garden terrace, follow the garden terrace to the end to avoid the next staircase and you find walking access to the terraces overlooking the port, the Old Town and the Med coast all the way to Italy.

If you want to stop for a drink, try either the traditional Café de Paris directly on Casino Square, or use the "upper entrance" of the Fairmont Hotel (at the end of the terrace before you turn into the gardens) and stay at the same level for the L'Horizon champagne bar and restaurant. Of course you can have other beverages there, too.:)

 

Provide ample time for your return trip, since the coastal road is usually clogged with traffic in the late afternoon. Taxis can be found on the sidewalk of the Casino; however, there are only a few of them, not like in a big city, and you might have to wait for the arrival of a cab at the taxi stand.

 

If you are a party of more than 3 folks, it might be advisable to book a mini van with driver for either the full day or only the afternoon (the Casino is not open in the morning!). The advantage: You may use the minivan for a full tour of Monaco, since it has the permission to go up to the Castle Hill, it can take you to Monaco via the coastal road and back via the Moyenne Corniche (middle road) with spectacular views of Eze Village and the Alpes Maritimes. Drivers usually speak English and give you some explanation, too, even though not as thoroughly like a professional tour guide.

Try this email address to ask for a quotation: claudiab@heliairvoyages.mc. Claudia speaks English.

 

I hope, you and your friends will have a beautiful and exiting stay in the Principality of Monaco ! Enjoy !

Biggi