Best scenic route into Monte Carlo?
Discussion
Hi,
I’m just seeking some advice please. I’m planning a road trip to Monte Carlo with my wife in July, taking my Aston Martin V8V. I wanted to know the most scenic route to take, especially when entering Monte Carlo. We’ll Be taking the tunnel to Calais and down from there towards Reims. I just want to make sure I drive that amazing road I saw on top gear that those guys drove into Monte Carlo, but I have no idea what the name of the road is.
Any advice or help from anyone who has done this trip or knows the roads would be really appreciated. Thank you in advance!
I’m just seeking some advice please. I’m planning a road trip to Monte Carlo with my wife in July, taking my Aston Martin V8V. I wanted to know the most scenic route to take, especially when entering Monte Carlo. We’ll Be taking the tunnel to Calais and down from there towards Reims. I just want to make sure I drive that amazing road I saw on top gear that those guys drove into Monte Carlo, but I have no idea what the name of the road is.
Any advice or help from anyone who has done this trip or knows the roads would be really appreciated. Thank you in advance!
The road down from St.Agnes is pretty spectacular, especially at night. You'll probably come in from the west so the St.Agnes route is in for the east, however, well worth a meal in the restaurant at the top, and a drive back in from that direction. There's are some major works going on in Monaco currently to allow for some building works, we've been a few times and stay in the Port Palace hotel right on the harbour. I thought I had it sussed getting in, but earlier last year got thrown a curveball with the works, and ended up in the huge circular tunnel and had a giggle getting back to where we needed to be! Enjoy your stay, we love it there.
Take the N85 from Grenoble to Castellane, then cross country to the Col de Turini, from here D2566 down to Menton ( this is the section the OP is referring to if he's on about the TG episode where May was driving a race spec Aston ) Fantastic views, great roads and the food and wine aren't bad either.
normalbloke said:
The road down from St.Agnes is pretty spectacular, especially at night. You'll probably come in from the west so the St.Agnes route is in for the east, however, well worth a meal in the restaurant at the top, and a drive back in from that direction. There's are some major works going on in Monaco currently to allow for some building works, we've been a few times and stay in the Port Palace hotel right on the harbour. I thought I had it sussed getting in, but earlier last year got thrown a curveball with the works, and ended up in the huge circular tunnel and had a giggle getting back to where we needed to be! Enjoy your stay, we love it there.
Thanks so much for this advice, that’s really helpful. I’ve always wanted to do this drive and in an AM, so the car and this trip is my 50th present to myself, life is too short to not live your dreams! I will check out the restaurant and the hotel that you mention, fingers crossed I don’t get caught in too much road works. Thanks again!👍Rushjob said:
Take the N85 from Grenoble to Castellane, then cross country to the Col de Turini, from here D2566 down to Menton ( this is the section the OP is referring to if he's on about the TG episode where May was driving a race spec Aston ) Fantastic views, great roads and the food and wine aren't bad either.
Thanks so much for this route! Yes, this is the route I was thinking about from TG, I really wanted to drive it. Thanks again so much, I really can’t wait to drive this. 👍Carcassonne is a great stopover! Get yourself a toll tag too. Consider your parking when booking in Monaco. The hotel I mentioned have excellent valet parking. Once you're in Monaco, you'll want to lose the car asap really( except for the drives out) Don't forget to have your passport in your pocket if you visit the casino.
Edited by normalbloke on Sunday 14th January 17:05
normalbloke said:
Carcassonne is a great stopover! Get yourself a toll tag too. Consider your parking when booking in Monaco. The hotel I mentioned have excellent valet parking. Once you're in Monaco, you'll want to lose the car asap really( except for the drives out) Don't forget to have your passport in your pocket if you visit the casino.
Ok great thanks, good advice and really appreciated. A Toll tag is a good call, I’ll get one. I do worry about parking, I hate leaving my Aston in places that aren’t secure, so I’ll be booking a hotel with a car park for sure. We are meeting our children there who are 26 and 21, they are flying down together 5 days after we go. We are looking forward to the casino! Thanks again for your help, it’s really appreciated. Edited by normalbloke on Sunday 14th January 17:05
We were in the Port Palace Hotel for this NY. It's the third time we've stayed there. Insist on a room on the 3rd floor or above otherwise you'll just look out into a tree. I was really disappointed that the breakfast is no longer served in the restaurant on the roof terrace, but is instead crammed into the foyer area on the ground floor. This was a huge disappointment to us this trip. Previously we have enjoyed sitting outside in the sun looking over the main harbour, so to be crammed into a frankly dispiriting little area was not what we expected.
The hotel has let/sold the terrace and top floor area to a 'destination' restaurant whose prices are frankly eye watering. The menu starts in Russian so that gives you a clue. We avoided it like the plague - the prices they are asking would be more fitting in a Michelin starred restaurant.
I would stay there again but insist on a room only price and head out for breakfast.
They are also reclaiming the sea around the Grimaldi centre - this work is scheduled to take ten or so years. While dredging is underway they have erected an enormous sound deadening fence, so there is NO view from anywhere east of the tunnel entrance until you get to the beach area. In reality, we will probably wait quite a few years before visiting again.
The hotel has let/sold the terrace and top floor area to a 'destination' restaurant whose prices are frankly eye watering. The menu starts in Russian so that gives you a clue. We avoided it like the plague - the prices they are asking would be more fitting in a Michelin starred restaurant.
I would stay there again but insist on a room only price and head out for breakfast.
They are also reclaiming the sea around the Grimaldi centre - this work is scheduled to take ten or so years. While dredging is underway they have erected an enormous sound deadening fence, so there is NO view from anywhere east of the tunnel entrance until you get to the beach area. In reality, we will probably wait quite a few years before visiting again.
normalbloke said:
Carcassonne is a great stopover! Get yourself a toll tag too. Consider your parking when booking in Monaco. The hotel I mentioned have excellent valet parking. Once you're in Monaco, you'll want to lose the car asap really( except for the drives out) Don't forget to have your passport in your pocket if you visit the casino.
Carcassonne? That's somewhat of a detour! A stopover before the Pyrenees yes, but not Monaco....Edited by normalbloke on Sunday 14th January 17:05
Stephanie Plum said:
normalbloke said:
Carcassonne is a great stopover! Get yourself a toll tag too. Consider your parking when booking in Monaco. The hotel I mentioned have excellent valet parking. Once you're in Monaco, you'll want to lose the car asap really( except for the drives out) Don't forget to have your passport in your pocket if you visit the casino.
Carcassonne? That's somewhat of a detour! A stopover before the Pyrenees yes, but not Monaco....Edited by normalbloke on Sunday 14th January 17:05
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