Monaco 2010 - GP Virgin and a poor one at that ;)
Discussion
Hi all,
My girlfriend has saved up some money and for my birthday is taking me to MOnaco next year 2010 for the f1 GP.
I'm looking for advice on where we can camp? One campsite not far away from the circuit doesn't open until June...
We are thinking of going to z1 for race day and looking at other areas for practice and qualifying.
ANy advice greatfully appreciated, its my first time at a GP and my first time camping in Europe. I'm a very experienced camper in the UK though.
Many thanks
My girlfriend has saved up some money and for my birthday is taking me to MOnaco next year 2010 for the f1 GP.
I'm looking for advice on where we can camp? One campsite not far away from the circuit doesn't open until June...
We are thinking of going to z1 for race day and looking at other areas for practice and qualifying.
ANy advice greatfully appreciated, its my first time at a GP and my first time camping in Europe. I'm a very experienced camper in the UK though.
Many thanks
You need to head past Monaco and towards San Remo (Italy). A couple of stops away by train, but will offer you a massive saving on anything in France. Monaco is crowded beyond belief during the F1 week, the prices increase each day and those with any sense stay out toward Menton or further east.
Me and a mate went in 2001 and stayed in a campsite in a village called Sospel near Menton and the Italian border, gorgeous little place and the campsite was dirt cheap too. We would drive down to the station in Menton in the morning then get the train into Monaco pretty views on the train ride as well although not as much fun as the drive down the mountains! Sospel is on the Col de turini stage of the Monte Carlo Rally 
oh yes.
oh yes.When I used to go to the Monaco Grand Prix a good few years ago we used to stay on campsites along the coast towards Nice and Cannes, and get the train in to Monaco. They run a special raceday service which is the ultimate in showing how mass transit systems should work.
I wouldn't bother taking bikes in, as you'll need to find somewhere safe to leave them etc. Train is so easy and if near a station you can the decide whether to go Italy or France side.
I wouldn't bother taking bikes in, as you'll need to find somewhere safe to leave them etc. Train is so easy and if near a station you can the decide whether to go Italy or France side.
Good thread 
I'm planning a trip to monaco next year in my camper van incl wife and 2yr old son. I'll probably go with one of the above recommended campsites
I was wondering if it'll be better just to walk around on race day and watch the race in a bar or something to get the "atmosphere". (I'm afraid it'll be a 'mare with a restless 2yr old in the grandstand)
has anyone else tried that, or is it just impossibly crowded everywhere?
I'm planning a trip to monaco next year in my camper van incl wife and 2yr old son. I'll probably go with one of the above recommended campsitesI was wondering if it'll be better just to walk around on race day and watch the race in a bar or something to get the "atmosphere". (I'm afraid it'll be a 'mare with a restless 2yr old in the grandstand)
has anyone else tried that, or is it just impossibly crowded everywhere?
die fahrt said:
Good thread I'm planning a trip to monaco next year in my camper van incl wife and 2yr old son. I'll probably go with one of the above recommended campsites
I was wondering if it'll be better just to walk around on race day and watch the race in a bar or something to get the "atmosphere". (I'm afraid it'll be a 'mare with a restless 2yr old in the grandstand)
has anyone else tried that, or is it just impossibly crowded everywhere?
On my 2001 trip me and mate watched from the standing area called the rock underneath the palace. Entry is cheap and the views of the harbour front are stunning however as you say no good for a 2yr old, the reason being you have to get there fairly early to get to the front (for the best views) and if you go for a wander or drink/food etc.. then you lose your place. Which happened to me and my mate I'm planning a trip to monaco next year in my camper van incl wife and 2yr old son. I'll probably go with one of the above recommended campsitesI was wondering if it'll be better just to walk around on race day and watch the race in a bar or something to get the "atmosphere". (I'm afraid it'll be a 'mare with a restless 2yr old in the grandstand)
has anyone else tried that, or is it just impossibly crowded everywhere?
Not sure about bars showing the race but it is definately worth the trip for the atmosphere alone 100% Been a few times and spectated at various points.
The best stand to watch the race is between Tabac corner and the swimming pool which I think is Grandstand K. From here you see the cars exit the tunnel, negotiate the chicane, take the tabac corner and enter the swimming pool complex. Also has a good view of the big screen and you also see how the other half live on the yachts in the harbour. Take your binoculars. Bear in mind avoid the first few rows or you'll be watching the race through the safety fence.
Last time I was there we watched the practice from Stand B ??? in Casino Square. If you can get near the front you can see the cars enter the square at the front door of the Hotel de Paris and follow them down to Mirabeau. Again the big screen is in the centre of Casino Square.
On Thursday Practice Day we sat in the stand which overlooked the pit complex.
Hanging from a tree or bush on the Rocher de Monaco is not to be recommended. You can see a big section of the track but from too far away. The screen on the other side of the harbour is useless from this distance.
However the racing is only one part of the whole Monaco experience. Everybody should go there once. You will not be disappointed.
The best stand to watch the race is between Tabac corner and the swimming pool which I think is Grandstand K. From here you see the cars exit the tunnel, negotiate the chicane, take the tabac corner and enter the swimming pool complex. Also has a good view of the big screen and you also see how the other half live on the yachts in the harbour. Take your binoculars. Bear in mind avoid the first few rows or you'll be watching the race through the safety fence.
Last time I was there we watched the practice from Stand B ??? in Casino Square. If you can get near the front you can see the cars enter the square at the front door of the Hotel de Paris and follow them down to Mirabeau. Again the big screen is in the centre of Casino Square.
On Thursday Practice Day we sat in the stand which overlooked the pit complex.
Hanging from a tree or bush on the Rocher de Monaco is not to be recommended. You can see a big section of the track but from too far away. The screen on the other side of the harbour is useless from this distance.
However the racing is only one part of the whole Monaco experience. Everybody should go there once. You will not be disappointed.
Depends where you are on the hillside as although the cars are some distance with the aid of binoculars you do get a view of them for a long tome from the right spot, and of course the atmosphere there is fantastic. However you need a group of you so you can leave the spot in relays. Otherwise you lose your spot!
Actual racetickets for Grandstands etc are no more expensive than any other race as I recall.
Actual racetickets for Grandstands etc are no more expensive than any other race as I recall.
Chrisgr31 said:
When I used to go to the Monaco Grand Prix a good few years ago we used to stay on campsites along the coast towards Nice and Cannes, and get the train in to Monaco. They run a special raceday service which is the ultimate in showing how mass transit systems should work.
I wouldn't bother taking bikes in, as you'll need to find somewhere safe to leave them etc. Train is so easy and if near a station you can the decide whether to go Italy or France side.
Totally agree. There's no real need to be too close to Monaco, there's loads of great place to stay all along the coast. Last year the GP was on at the same time as the Cannes Film Festival which provided a great night sitting on the beach having a picnic and watching a film. If possible though try not to miss going to the circuit the night before, it's a great atmosphere and it's where the real 'on track' action happens over the weekend I wouldn't bother taking bikes in, as you'll need to find somewhere safe to leave them etc. Train is so easy and if near a station you can the decide whether to go Italy or France side.
Have fun 
I go to Monaco most years and it can be done on a budget. We tend to avoid race day as it's so busy and we've done it many times before.
If you want to see the most, the days leading up to GP are the best. On Tuesday night there's a charity football match at the stadium between the F1 drivers and an 'All star' team. Most of the drivers will stop for a chat and sign autographs if that's your thing. You just need to work out where the team entrance is. And it's only 8-10 euros so it's probably one of the cheaper things to do.
On Wednesday morning the pit lane is open to the public for a couple of hours. So you can see the teams setting up and there's usually publicity shoots with teams/drivers. Jenson on Wednesday last year :-
You can also watch what's going on in the paddock from a couple of Bars (Stars and Bars & La Rascasse).
On Thursday the seating in the Grandstands isn't numbered so you can sit where you want within your chosen grandstand. Tickets are about 70-80 euros. My current favourite is 'L' because you see the cars up close, have a large TV screen and can see the pitlane. Get there early and you can pick the best spot. A few photos from here :-
The grandstand overlooking St Devote is good for the start of the race and you can also see the swimming pool section from here. On Thursday there's also a cheap yacht in the Tabac corner which use to be not much more than a Thursday grandstand ticket (haven't been there for about three years so I don't know exactly what they charge these days).
Friday morning all of the grandstands are open for free (apart from 'E' I think) to watch the support sessions. Then at about 13:00 to 14:00 the track opens to public traffic again and you can watch the parade of Ferrari/Porsche/etc trying to do laps of the circuit. Head up to Casino Square in the evening to see an interesting car park.
Sometimes the pitlane is again open to the public if you have a grandstand ticket for the weekend.
The further you are away from the circuit the cheaper the meals/drinks become. So try the old town on the hill and Fontvielle which is the next harbour along.
Hope this helps.
If you want to see the most, the days leading up to GP are the best. On Tuesday night there's a charity football match at the stadium between the F1 drivers and an 'All star' team. Most of the drivers will stop for a chat and sign autographs if that's your thing. You just need to work out where the team entrance is. And it's only 8-10 euros so it's probably one of the cheaper things to do.
On Wednesday morning the pit lane is open to the public for a couple of hours. So you can see the teams setting up and there's usually publicity shoots with teams/drivers. Jenson on Wednesday last year :-
You can also watch what's going on in the paddock from a couple of Bars (Stars and Bars & La Rascasse).
On Thursday the seating in the Grandstands isn't numbered so you can sit where you want within your chosen grandstand. Tickets are about 70-80 euros. My current favourite is 'L' because you see the cars up close, have a large TV screen and can see the pitlane. Get there early and you can pick the best spot. A few photos from here :-
The grandstand overlooking St Devote is good for the start of the race and you can also see the swimming pool section from here. On Thursday there's also a cheap yacht in the Tabac corner which use to be not much more than a Thursday grandstand ticket (haven't been there for about three years so I don't know exactly what they charge these days).
Friday morning all of the grandstands are open for free (apart from 'E' I think) to watch the support sessions. Then at about 13:00 to 14:00 the track opens to public traffic again and you can watch the parade of Ferrari/Porsche/etc trying to do laps of the circuit. Head up to Casino Square in the evening to see an interesting car park.
Sometimes the pitlane is again open to the public if you have a grandstand ticket for the weekend.
The further you are away from the circuit the cheaper the meals/drinks become. So try the old town on the hill and Fontvielle which is the next harbour along.
Hope this helps.
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