Nice and Monte Carlo

[Leondrums]

Have just booked a trip with 4 nights in Nice and 3 in Monte Carlo in early September. Have never been there before, any suggestions on things to do, especially in Nice?

[Stephanie Plum]

Can't help with Nice, but we were in Monaco the weekend before last.

We loved the place - our first visit and can see ourselves going back many times. Depends what you like to do really, but we sat in the sun at the Cafe de Paris and car spotted, went to the Oceanarium - stunning building on the cliff edge with a very good aquarium, went to see the Prince Albert car collection, to the Jardin Exotique, walked along to the beach area and sat in the sun watching the world go by, walked round the circuit taking pics, ogled the boats in the main harbour (La Condamine) where our hotel was. We ate one night in the brasserie at the Columbus (Coulthards hotel, or was anyway), then at the Cafe de Paris, then another night in a restaiurant in La Condamine - the place is full of little places and eating can be found for reasonable prices. We also went in and had a chat to the new Lotus dealership opposite the main harbour, and ogled the new 458 at the Ferrari dealer.

Enjoy!

[alfa phil]

Take yourself up to Eze about 5miles west of Monte Carlo, lovely village set in the cliffs 1300ft above sea level with great views over the med, give the casino a miss its full of old sad men ,

[standfree93]

Make sure you go to the casino in Monte Carlo, you'll see some cracking cars!

In nice, I went to the football stadium to watch OGC Nice Vs Rennes, good game and good atmosphere, but the heat was almost too much!

[havoc]

We're off to that part of the world in June.

Any suggestions as to where to stay on/near the French Riviera, rather than in Monaco (a car-friendly/safe hotel please), and is Monaco/Monte Carlo itself worth an overnight stay (or will it break the bank with current €/£ rates?) or just a day-trip?


(SO want to drive that tunnel from the GP circuit...but I'm guessing the speed-limit is something silly like 50km/h! Which reminds me...must google the rally stages!)

[neil-f]

Tunnel is 50kph limit and has speed camera but as the traffic is so heavy most of the time 50kph is not possible, Monaco traffic can be awfull....

If you are going in June Monaco will not look its best as they will be taking down the stands and barriers. Avoid Cafe de Paris it is a rip off lots of the bars and cafes are great with GP memorabilia on the walls and London sort of prices for drinks etc Some good food to be had at sensible prices if you stay away from Casino square.

As you are down that way after you have done the N85 (which is the trad route) go off and do some of the other Col roads as you drive down look for the road signs to them and take a detour they are fantastic. I have a house off the N75 and we have many Col roads to explore they are not always busy in the high season If you go down the N85 and return via the N75 heading to Grenoble you can explore some lovely Col roads. Once you have enjoyed the drive you can stop and enjoy the beautiful scenery

Windows down that V6 in the mountains...........

[havoc]

neil-f said:

Windows down that V6 in the mountains...........

Oh

Cheers for the advice Neil...still undecided on Monaco, but will definitely hit a few Cols.



PS...is that a CS I see you've got now??? Just a little jealous there...got to be one of the best-sounding cars I've ever heard!

[Nolar Dog]

There's a fantastic and very good value Mexican place around the Mirabeau section of the circuit.

Follow Avenue des Beaux Arts to Mirabeau and walk up the little street there, where Hotel Mirabeu is. About 250yds up on right is a vine-canopied restaraunt. You want this!

Also, again can't remember the name of the place but it is at the end of Avenue d'Ostende. The Italian place with the red (original style) Fiat 500 outside. Can't think of the name but the car is always there and the seafood is amazing.

[996 sps]

Pretty much already been said but went to Monaco last year just brought a meal down by the front admired the boats, walked up to the Casino and viewed some nice cars, then got the Duke fired up and let the Termis fill the air through the tunnel. Stunning place and the ride down was fantastic.

[standfree93]

Here's some nice cars around the casino:




There's a Bugatti Veyron Grand-sport just visible here:

[rlw]

alfa phil said:

Take yourself up to Eze about 5miles west of Monte Carlo, lovely village set in the cliffs 1300ft above sea level with great views over the med, give the casino a miss its full of old sad men ,

There was/is a fantastic bird sanctuary there why they fly eagles, vultures, condors and the like from the edge of the cliff - they just drop them off the side and a few seconds later this thing the size of a Fiat 500 comes shooting past at silly mph. Well worth looking out for.

[Leondrums]

Fantastic suggestions - thanks Guys.

Yep - we have booked the Palais De La Mediteranee in Nice and Le Meridien Beach Plaza in Monte Carlo..

We are travelling on Train spending a night in Paris on the way. Time to start looking up some of your suggestions.

[Louis.]

rlw said:

alfa phil said:

Take yourself up to Eze about 5miles west of Monte Carlo, lovely village set in the cliffs 1300ft above sea level with great views over the med, give the casino a miss its full of old sad men ,

There was/is a fantastic bird sanctuary there why they fly eagles, vultures, condors and the like from the edge of the cliff - they just drop them off the side and a few seconds later this thing the size of a Fiat 500 comes shooting past at silly mph. Well worth looking out for.

That sounds really cool ! Will have to keep that in mind if I head up that way this year !

[Maxf]

Probably my favourite place in the world so far (yep, really) - I just wish I had a couple of extra digits on the old bank balance. St Tropez is well worth checking out if you can - brilliant if you like seafood. Cannes is ok as well - some nice bars, although swerve the one on the marina unless you have stupid money to spend - 'Jimmyz' I think (and I do mean stupid money - it made London look like a bargain)...

We're going back in September I think.
Enjoy!

[ShadownINja]

Maxf said:

St Tropez is well worth checking out if you can - brilliant if you like seafood.

What's Sainte Maxime like across the water from St Tropez? I was just browsing on the map.

Edit: actually, I was just going on google's street view. Cannes looks nice. Forget Sainte Maxime.

Edited by ShadownINja on Saturday 27th March 21:34