The Beautiful French Riviera: Villafranche and Monte Carlo

As our cruise ship entered the port of Villafranche-sur-Mer, I was taken by surprise at the beauty of its cliff-hanging structures. The homes, painted in subtle hues of earth tones, were brightly accented with colorful turquoise shutters and I was eager to roam its narrow streets. This quaint, quiet fishing town is perfect for an afternoon stroll and is the starting point for a number of day trips along the French Riviera. A popular cruise ship stop, it is one of the most beautiful cities along the coast and one of France’s best kept secrets.

The store-front awnings brought a splash of color to the harbor’s subdued surroundings. The curved shape coast accommodates sailboats and catamarans where cafes and open-air restaurants are within walking distance. Located a few blocks from the waterfront is the train station, a convenient alternative to reaching the charming villages along the Cote d’ Azur.

Upon arrival, I soon learned that public transportation (including the train) was not available due to a strike. I was happy that I had booked the Monaco and Monte Carlo excursion provided by the ship.

Boarding the comfortable coach, I prepared myself for the 45-minute ride along the winding coastal corridor. The tour bus exited the port, narrowly passing through the arches of Fort du Mont Alban, a mid-16^th century citadel. I took notice of the hikers that were on their way to the top of the fort for stunning views of Villafranche, Cap Ferrat and Nice. Unfortunately, the fort itself is not open to the public.

Managing the twists and turns of the Corniche Road, the bus sped through tight tunnels which framed breathtaking views of bustling marinas, high-priced high-rises and extravagant homes. The corners were tight at times and the traffic came to a stop on narrow roads to allow oncoming vehicles to pass.

We finally reached Monaco and arrived in the parking lot where the driver advised us to exit the bus. There was a set of stairs leading to the Monte Carlo Casino. Reaching the top, we followed the walkway to the casino entrance with its spectacular Beaux Arts-style façade.

With a Grand Theater and Ballet, the Casino de Monte-Carlo is more than a gambling establishment. The complex is an entertainment facility with luxurious shops and extravagant accommodations. Old-time lamp-posts and slender, full palm trees bring Paris to the Mediterranean.

We learned from our tour guide that the casino closes for the morning. Roaming the courtyard, there was a small number of cruise ship tourists and day trippers exploring the square. With a few moments to take in our luxurious surroundings, we began our stroll towards the Royal Palace of Monaco.

Opening the same year as the casino, the lavish Hotel de Paris Monte Carlo is elegantly designed of marble. The ornate statues reminded me of the mermaid figureheads carved on the prow of ancient Viking ships. Consistently ranked among the top hotels in the world, its restaurants are listed as some of the most prestigious in travel magazines and guidebooks. Conveniently located next to the opulent complex of high end fashion boutiques and glamorous restaurants, the hotel offers posh accommodations with a view of the city, courtyard, casino or Mediterranean Sea.

Upscale shopping in Monte Carlo includes some of the most recognized names in fashion. Cartier, Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Valentino and Prada boutiques are among the shops located in the famous Cercle d’Or, in the heart of Monaco. Galleries and souvenir shops line the alleys in the old town where shopping is more affordable.

Located in the Casino Square, the Café de Paris is perfect for an elegant afternoon lunch on the terrace. Mimicking the architecture of Parisian bistros from the early 1900’s, the restaurant offers succulent meals such as escargot, lobster and cavier. Additional items include reasonably priced lighter fare of sandwiches, salads and appetizers.

Our next stop on the tour is Monaco’s Old Town, home to Prince Albert. Our tour guide brought us through the medieval village where we would have free time to explore the cobblestone streets, shop for souvenirs or order a glass of wine or light lunch. Read about our tour of the charming town in my post titled, “Monaco, A City of Royalty and Wealth.”

Have you had the opportunity to see the beauty of Monaco? I would love to hear about your experience if you would kindly leave your message in the comments section below. Many thanks for reading about my cruise stop at Villafranche and my excursion to Monaco! Happy Travels!

What to See and What to Do:

Fort du Mont Alban
Chemin du Fort du Mont Alban
06000, Nice, France
Telephone: +33 4 92 00 41 90

Admission Fee: Free
Bus/Train Transportation: Bus Number 100 of Lignes d’Azures runs frequently between Nice, Villafranche and Monaco. You can access the bus every 10 minutes to Villafranche and the journey takes about 45 minutes one way. The SNFC train station will also provide transportation to Villafranche.
Potential Transportation Costs: If staying in Nice, you can take the bus into into Villafranche-sur-Mer for approximately 1 Euro and the train for 2 Euros
Hours of Operation: 10AM to 8PM
Scenic View: Spectacular view of the port of Villafranche-sur-Mer and nearby French Riviera (Cap Ferrat and Nice).
Length of the Tour: 1 – 2 hours
Tips for Your Visit: The walk from the port town of Villafranche-sur-Mer takes about 45 minutes. Wear appropriate shoes for the walk as well as the 2000 steps for the panoramic view. Find the steps behind the church, which are a little difficult to find. Before making the trek, pick up a few items in the town of Villafranche-sur-Mer for a picnic at the nearby forest. There are not many activities available at the fort and having water on hand is highly recommended.

Casino Monte-Carlo
Place du Casino
98000 Monaco
Telephone: +37 7 98 06 21 21

Admission Fee: Rates begin starting from 2PM – Adult with Audioguide is 12 Euros, Children from age 13 – 18 with audioguide 8 Euros and Children 6 to 19 with audioguide 6 Euros.
Hours: Everyday from 9AM (atrium), while the gaming tables opens at 2PM; see the official website for Monte Carlo Casino for “Dress Code” at http://fr.casinomontecarlo.com/casinos/casino-monte-carlo/presentation-casino/
Amenities: Audioguides, surrounding restaurants, upscale shopping and hotels
Scenic View: Spectacular view of the port from the Monte Carlo plaza and scenic views of the French Riviera from the surrounding hotels and restaurants.
Length of the Tour: open until casino closes
Tips for Your Visit: There is a strict dress code. With a focus on elegance and tradition, keep in mind the following requirements for dress: Atrium (correct and relaxed), Renaissance Room (correct and casual), Salle Europe allows city bermudas, t-shirts and sports shoes but prohibits the following…faded jeans or jeans with holes, tracksuits, sportswear, tank tops, shorts and beach dresses, sandals, flip flops and jogging shoes (men only). Evening attire: Must adhere to the Salle Europe requirements as well as the following: no shorts, t-shirts and sweatshirts. They will allow dark jeans, dark sporty casual shoes and a jacket is recommended for men. Private lounges require a sports jacket and can be provided by the staff upon request. No t-shirts or short sleeved shirts.

Where to Stay:

Hotel de Paris Monaco
Place du Casino
MC98000
Principality of Monaco
Telephone: +37 7 98 06 30 00

Where to Eat:

Cafe de Paris
Place du Casino
MC 98000 Monaco
Telephone: +37 7 98 06 76 23

On my first visit, I only had time for a cup of coffee.

When we returned for vacation a couple of years later, Peter and I had the opportunity to have lunch on the terrace and celebrated our vacation with a bottle of Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin (my favorite, amazing champagne). We ordered the Cassolette d’escargots de Bourgogne which is a burgundy snails pot with parsley sauce and the Cocktail de crevettes roses a l’avocat (prawns with avocado) and for our main entree we both ordered the Pave de loup roti a l’huile d’olive, fricassee de legumes du moment (grilled sea bass with olive oil with seasonal vegetables). For dessert we ordered the cafe’s famous Crepes Suzette which has been served by the restaurant since 1928 and the Surprise au chocolat, sorbet au cacao (chocolate sorbet).

What to Eat: