Monte Carlo (Monaco) and Nice (France)
A walk through the Cote d'Azur. Monaco and Nice.
Как ни посрещна Монако, къде Формула 1 се провежда не в затворена писта, а по градските булеварди и къде може да си повишите адреналина на макс в иначе спокойната Ривиера – това и още интересна информация, четете в настоящия пътепис за Монако и Ница, част от поредицата пътеписи “С деца на Лазурния бряг + Средиземноморски круиз + Амалфийско крайбрежие”
SEE THE ITINERARY, SCHEDULE, AND COSTS FOR THE ENTIRE TRIP HERE.
TO THE PREVIOUS TRAVELOGUE IN THIS SERIES: HERE
From Cannes to Monte Carlo
The day began with an early boarding of the train from Cannes to Monaco. Tickets can be bought online, from the relevant machines or from the counters with service staff during their working hours. We always used the machines.
The official website of the French Railways can be found here.
The price of a one-way ticket from Cannes to Monte Carlo (Monaco) cost 10.80 euros/adult, but since we were 2 adults + 2 children it turned out that we could use a discount for a mini group (1 Voyage Mini-Groupe) And a total of 4 we paid 26 euros. Travel time between Cannes and Monaco is just over 1 hour with the train running along the coast and at times wonderful views of the sea, bays and cliffs.
Useful!!!
Here is the place to mention 2 useful sites that are good to look in advance if you have a trip to France and Monaco.
1. Information about planned strikes in France, which also often affect urban/intercity transport (buses, trains, metro). See here.
2. Map of the Kan-Nica-Monaco area with buses, trams and trains. See the map here.
Monte Carlo Central Station is located on the border between France and Monaco and was very strange as it was in a hill tunnel (like a subway) and you wonder if you are inside or outside.
Principality of Monaco
The Principality of Monaco ranks 194th in the world in terms of territory with its modest 2.02 km² and is the second-smallest independent country after the Vatican. It is the most densely populated country on Earth with a population of 32,410. An interesting fact is that people here are in 1st place in terms of longest life expectancy - 89.4 years. and at the top of the world in terms of GDP per person.
Sights in Monaco
The Catholic Church of Monaco
Leaving the station, we were greeted by the sound of songs we didn't know where it came from. We looked around, listened and headed to the Catholic Church of Monaco, where the regular Sunday Mass was being held at that very moment. And since the service was outdoors, the sound of the hymns drifted throughout the center of Monaco. I attended an outdoor Catholic mass for the first time and it was a very memorable moment. Visitors, about 300-400 citizens, all dressed elegantly, were sitting on long benches. And of course, almost as many tourists and guests of the city like us, standing on the sides with cameras and phones pointed and watching with interest what is to come. All the children were dressed in long white robes, sat in the first two rows at the front and actively participated in the liturgy, carrying the bread and wine. Holy Communion (Lord's Supper) was performed.
–> Browse and book a budget hotel in Monte Carlo at a discount. See here!
Formula 1 Grand Prix
From there we continued along the coastal boulevard when we stopped to take a picture with a Formula 1 car, then with the start/finish line of the race, and then with the tribune for the winners of I, II and III place.
Grand Prix in Monaco is One of the oldest and classic races not only in Formula 1, but in the history of motorsport in general. It has been held since 1929 and has been called the crown jewel of the F1 championship. The Monaco Grand Prix takes place on a 3,337-mile runway through the streets of Monte Carlo and La Condamine around the port of the Principality of Monaco, usually in late May or early June.
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Prince's Palace
The palace of the Grimaldi family is located in the old part of Monaco, in the "Palais" square, which is known for its bronze cannons. It is located on the hill next to the harbor and is the current residence of Prince Albert, as well as an active museum and event venue. The palace is open for visits from April to October, with the entrance being 10 euros/adult and 5 euros/child.
In general, there is no way to mess up the location, as the crowds of people will point you in the right direction. Climbing the hill in front of us there was a wonderful view of all of Monaco and the marina. Arriving upstairs, we found an even larger crowd that lined up around both sides of the path that the guards would pass. The changing of the guard in front of the Prince of Monaco's residence is one of the most impressive in the world and takes place every day at exactly 11:55 a.m.
I had planned to spend some time on a beach in Monaco, but asking the local people to guide us, it turned out that there is no nice beach there. Public elevators are free in Monaco. I personally did not see the public elevators anywhere, but I specifically looked around, as I am a person who, if there is something for free, wants to take advantage of it. 🙂
Since Monaco is a mini country, it is very likely that one will be able to see someone in the royal family. What happened 2 times for our several-hour stay in Monaco was to see the policemen closing the road by parking transversely, during which time a possibly royal was passing by with their car and with an escort in front and back. After passing, the policemen open the way again and each where.
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Other attractions we don't have time for include:
– The Oceanographic Museum
– Monte Carlo Casino
– Monaco Top Cars Collection – Prince's cars
From Monte Carlo to Nice
Next point from the program of the day: Nice. From the stop to the Catholic Church (to Steak'n'Shake) we boarded bus No. 607 to the Port Lympia stop in Nice. This route can also be taken by train in 22 minutes, with trains every half hour. The price is €4.40/adult or €10.80 per ticket mini group (2 adults + 2 children)
Nice
От спирка Port Lympia в Ница изминахме пеша разстоянието до градския плаж, заобикаляйки хълма с крепостта и паметника на мъртвите . Нямаше как да пропуснем да се снимаме с прословутия надпис “I Love Nice”.
Nice is the 5th largest city in France after Paris, Marseille, Lyon and Toulouse and the largest on the French Riviera. It is surrounded by the seaside Alps, which protect it from the cold. Its population is the same as the city of Plovdiv.
Attractions in Nice
The beach in Nice
We spent about 2 hours on the beach, enough for our children to refresh themselves in the hot weather. The beach is very disappointing - there is no sand, but large stones and gravel. There are no changing rooms and the toilets are far away and are paid and dirty. The sea water is attractive blue-green, but on the shore the situation is bad.
–> Browse and book a budget hotel on the Cote d'Azur with a discount. See here!
Coastal aleja
The nearly 3-kilometer promenade is dotted with countless palm trees. It was during our visit that some sports event for people with various disabilities was held there.
Albert's Garden and Long Green Park
From there we continued through the garden of Prince Albert I (Jardin Albert I), through the Fountaine du Soleil and forward through the green park, which is located between the boulevards Verdun and Jean Jaures. In this park, the shade was a corner on this hot June afternoon, but on the other hand, there were many playgrounds for children of different ages, water entertainment, trampolines, huge colorful dinosaurs and other interesting things for the little ones.
Finally, we headed to Central Station by passing through the very busy Ave Jean Medecin Boulevard, which was dotted with all kinds of shops for whatever you can think of, branded and non-branded, food and non-food.
From the train station we boarded the train to Cannes, the journey lasting 33 minutes and there are trains almost every half hour. We used the mini group reduction again.
–> Browse and book a budget hotel in Nice with a discount. See here!
Sights in Nice and around Nice that we don't have time for (in general, we didn't have time for anything... 🙂 :
– Park Phoenix. The largest winter garden in the world. Adults for adults – 5.20 euros. Entrance for students - 3:00 euros.
- National museum of Marc Chagall
- Ez - a small village in the mountains
- Via ferrata in the village of Pei - mountain climbing, walking on a rope over an abyss for People looking for high adrenaline
– Saint Jean Cap Ferrat – a peninsula that is located near Nice. The Baroness Beatrice de Rothschild estate is located there.
– Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art
Useful information about public transport in Nice:
Since many people choose to sit there in Nice, and during the day to explore the surrounding villages and towns on the Cote d'Azur, it is good to mention some useful information about public transport in Nice.
One ticket can be used to change buses and trams within 74 minutes. We need to validate our tickets even when changing. The validated ticket has a date and time printed on it. There is a mobile application for online validation of tickets with NFC - Lignes d'Azur.
There are several ticket discount cards available from the machines:
Multi Ticket - 10 trips for 10 euros - not only valid for 1 person
Pass 1 - 24 hours unlimited travel for 5 Euro - valid for 1 person
Solo Ticket - one-time ticket only for the territory of Nice - 1.5 Euro
Ticketazur - one-time ticket to the nearby towns on the Cote d'Azur (Cannes, Monaco etc.) – 2.5 Euro
TO THE NEXT TRAVELOGUE IN THE SERIES —> From Cannes to Marseille. Boarding the cruise ship.
