If you had to pick one iconic, storied town of the French Riviera, it would be Monte Carlo. From the likes of James Bond or Grace Kelly to the historic Formula-1 Grand Prix, there are many images one can conjure up of this playground to the rich and famous. I knew this had to be one of our first stops to visit once we arrived on the Cote D’Azur.
The train from our nearest station to the Principality of Monaco was a twenty minute ride. You have to believe it was one of the most scenic train rides we have ever taken! Absolutely gorgeous views of the azure water dotted with coves and stunning mansions perched above the water, I didn’t want it to end. The train station in Monaco is truly beautiful too. Once we walked out of the station, we were smack in the heart of the port, with luxury yachts lined up one after the other. We headed up the famous hill that is seen during the Grand Prix, and at the top is the world-famous Casino de Monte Carlo. While we did pop into the lobby, you can’t enter the true casino unless you pay entry, and we don’t really gamble so not worth it to us.
They were getting ready for a rally car race that was to finish in Monte Carlo that day, and throughout much of the visit we could hear the roar of rally car motors and could only imagine the excitement of the Formula-1 race, which is certainly on our list of future events to attend! We climbed up to the old quarter of Monaco, as know as Le Rocher, where the Prince’s palace sits atop the other side of the port. It’s a leg-burner to walk to the top, but the views were grand and the medieval lanes filled with little shops and restaurants were charming and reminded me of Vieux Nice. If we hadn’t just eaten over by the port, I really would have enjoyed one of these cozy places to dine. (Spoiler alert- when we came back with the kids and my mom in Summer 2024, we did for sure eat up in Le Rocher)
In a strange coincidence, a Tucson friend was visiting at the same time to do some cycling around this well-known training ground for pro cyclists. We met up with him back at the port for a coffee and some Steak and Shake (of all things you might imagine, I didn’t bank on this one in Monaco) before he rolled back to Nice via bike.
When we came back to Monte Carlo in Summer 2024, it was a much more vibrant scene than in the winter, but also very hot! The casino valet parking had numerous luxury cars which our kids wanted me to snap photos of. We didn’t have a huge amount of time to see the F1 museum but I have heard that it is excellent. We went into the gift shop but I think now our son’s interest has been piqued with F1 racing, we will have to see it in Summer 2025.
Summary of Monaco-
- I do believe Monte Carlo is the single cleanest city I have ever been in. I did not see so much as a single piece of litter anywhere.
- It is expensive to have a meal there, but a total treat to have a window to the lifestyles of the rich and famous.
- Gawking at the cars and yachts high rises and sheer excess of it all is simply fascinating.
- There are so many shops to browse if Haute Couture is your thing.
In short, it is one of the highlights of the Riviera and a place I urge you all to check out.
