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Monaco

France.com

The principality of Monaco and city of Monte Carlo lie on the southern Mediterranean Sea coast of France, near the border with Italy, in Southern Europe. It is the second smallest independent state in the world (after the Vatican) and is almost entirely urban. With no natural resources to exploit other than its location and climate, the principality has become a resort for tourists and a tax haven for businesses. Monaco is six times the size of the Vatican.

Though it has lost the title of world’s most densely populated city to Macau, it remains by far the world’s most densely populated independent country with second place Singapore lagging some 10,000 people per square kilometer behind.

History

Economic development was spurred in the late 19th century with a railroad linkup to France and the opening of a casino. Since then, the principality’s mild climate, splendid scenery, and gambling facilities have made Monaco world famous as a tourist and recreation center.

Access 

By plane

The nearest airport is the Nice Côte-d’Azur International, which is around 14 miles away from the city-centre in neighboring France. It operates daily flights to most of the world’s largest cities, such as London and Los Angeles. There are regular Rapide Cote D’Azur buses connecting Monte Carlo with both the terminals at Nice Cote-D’Azur airport, and taxis are always available outside the terminal buildings – although make sure a fee is agreed in advance or the meter is indeed switched on at the start of the journey, as French taxi drivers are notorious for charging tourists whatever they see fit.

 

By helicopter

Heli-Air Monaco also operates helicopter services between Nice and Monte Carlo, although this is very expensive and generally only for the very wealthy. After collecting your luggage at the Nice airport, you go to the helicopter service waiting area. The helicopter ground crew takes you and your luggage from the Nice airport to the Nice heliport, on the other side of the airport, by van. The flight along the coast is beautiful, and you land right at the water’s edge at the Monaco heliport, where a car service takes you directly to your hotel. Other than arriving by yacht, this is the best way for the international traveler to enter Monaco. Rates vary seasonally, in the range of €100-€300. They spike up to €700 or more, however, during the Cannes Film Festival, usually held in late May.

 

By train

The Monaco-Monte Carlo station has good service to most of neighboring France and Italy. There are 2-4 services per hour to Nice, Cannes, Menton and Ventimiglia (Italy). Most international trains will stop, such as the ‘Ligure’ which links Marseilles and Milan, the ‘train bleu’ which operates between Paris and Ventimiglia, and the famous high-speed TGV which runs between Nice and Paris. A TGV train between Paris and Monte Carlo takes around 6 and a half hours. The station also has some links to other towns in the principality. Be aware that there’s no left-luggage in the train station nor in the rest of Monaco. There’s a law in Monaco forbidding leaving bags etc. in any place and also tourist offices won’t help.

 

By car

<p>Monaco is easily accessed by its land borders from France or Italy by a network of highways, most commonly used of which is the A8 which runs west from Monte Carlo to Nice and Marseilles, and east towards the Italian border.

 

Between Nice and Monaco, there are also three more scenic roads: the Basse Corniche (Low Coast-Road – Highway 98), along the sea, the Moyenne Corniche (Middle Coast Road – Highway 7), going through Eze-Village, and the Grande Corniche (Great Coast Road), going through La Turbie and Col d’Eze (Eze Pass). All are pretty drives offering spectacular views over the Coast line. For an extra-special treat, rent a convertible sports car from the many airport rental services and take in the French Riviera in style.

Taxi trips to and from [Nice are also affordable.]

 

By bus

There is no bus station in Monte Carlo. Instead, international buses stop at various points throughout the city. Regular buses, run by Rapide Cote D’Azur, connect Monte Carlo with Nice and other French destinations. Services run regularly to many major French towns and cities. Route 100 leaves every 15 minutes from the central bus station (Gare Routière) in Nice and costs €1.00. An express shuttle, route 110, links the Nice Côte d’Azur Airoport and the principality. A bus leaves every hour and a single ticket costs €14.70 (2006).

 

By boat

Monaco’s two ports are no strangers to private yachts. <strong>Port Hercule is exceptionally beautiful and offers mooring and anchoring possibilities for up to five hundred vessels, some of which are extremely large and elegant (in fact, many tourists often take time out of their day to simply have a drink by the water and admire the fantastic super yachts). This port also serves as a regular starting point or terminus for many Mediteranean cruises, so cruise ships can often be spotted sailing in or out of the marina. The Port of Fontvieille, integrated into the new district, can receive as many as 60 vessels of at least 30 meters in length.</stron

At close proximity, the Port of Cap d’Ail is also a choice destination for pleasure-boats.

 

 

Transportation

By foot

Walking is by far the best way to get around Monaco; however, there are some areas, such as the Exotic Gardens, that require a large change in elevation and therefore make for rather strenuous hikes. There are also seven public escalators and elevators (all free) that help negotiate the steep slopes of the city.

 

By bus

If you don’t mind feeling like a member of the working class in Monaco’s bourgeois opulence, Monte Carlo operates a bus service, the Compagnie des Autobus Monaco , through the city’s five bus routes (somewhat confusingly labeled 1, 2, 4, 5 and 6) which serves 143 stops. The service usually starts at around 6 in the morning and runs right through until about 9 o’clock at night. Tickets can be purchased on board the buses themselves or at many news vendors and shops throughout the city – often it will be advertised as to where you can do this. A daily pass specially designed for tourists allows you to use the buses all day for €3.50.

 

By motor scooter</ em>

You can easily rent a motor scooter in Nice and take a short trip east along the sea into Monaco. The views are beautiful and the ride is fun along the twisty seaside road. There are plenty of places to park for free. Theft is not a concern, as there are cameras throughout and police everywhere.

 

By bicycle

It is possible to hire a bicycle from the Auto-Moto-Garage on the Rue de Millo.

 

By car

Private cars are singularly useless for getting around Monaco, as you’ll spend more time trying to park than if you walked or took a taxi instead. Taxis can be hailed on the streets and there are two main taxi stands open around the clock at the Avenue de Monte Carlo and the railway station, although it is always best to agree a fee beforehand or make sure the meter is running. Most hotels will provide courtesy drivers to points of interest, such as the Palace and casino.

International car hire companies do have offices at the airport in Nice and also in Monte Carlo city. These include Avis, Gare Monte Carlo, Europcar and Hertz – drivers must have held a national driving license for at least one year and it is usually requested that the cost is paid for with the driver’s credit card. Driving in the city center can be intimidating in Monte Carlo with heavy traffic – however, it is often worth this to drive alongside the more expensive vehicles in the city!

 

Sightseeing and attractions

It is relatively easy to navigate Monte Carlo and Monaco if you take the time to learn where the various “short cuts” are. City maps are generally available at most news vendor stands and shops for a small fee.

The Grimaldi Forum is the Monaco convention center. Completed in July 2000, it hosts large exhibitions or shows. It is also the home of Monaco’s newest opera stage (situated below the sea). An incredible piece of architecture that one will either love or detest.</l

 

 

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Shopping 

Shopping in Monte Carlo is usually quite exclusive and is certainly no place for a budget holiday. There are plenty of places to melt the credit card alongside Europe’s high rollers. The chic clothes shops are in the Golden Circle, framed by Avenue Monte Carlo, Avenue des Beaux-Arts and Allees Lumieres, where Hermes, Christian Dior, Gucci and Prada all have a presence. The area on and around Place du Casino is home to high-end jewelers such as Bulgari, Cartier and Chopard. You will find, however, that most tourists will simply enjoy wandering the area and window shopping, even if you don’t buy anything. The normal shopping hours are from 9:00 to noon and 3:00 to 7:00 pm.

For a more cultured take on shopping in Monte Carlo, try the Condamine Market. The market, which can be found in the Place d’Armes, has been in existence since 1880 and is lively and attractive – many hours can be spent simply wandering around, bargaining for souvenirs from the many tiny shops, boutiques and friendly locals. If, however, you’re shopping tastes are more modern, just a short walk along the esplanade is the rue Princess Caroline pedestrian mall.

The Fontvieille Shopping Centre is also a more “normal” shopping experience with 36 shops selling electronic goods, CDs, furniture, and clothes as well as a Carrefour supermarket. The tourist office also issues a useful free shopping guide to the city.

 

Restaurants 

How to go wrong? Food in Monaco is universally excellent. There are many fine restaurants, beginning with the Cafe de Paris across the street from the casino, to the waterfront restaurants along the Port de Fontvieille. During the winter months, you will find the restaurants to be decently priced–for Monaco. Bouillabaisse is excellent here.

There are a huge variety of other restaurants and cafés in the city with a moderate price tag and excellent food. There are a few simple cafés along the marina-side, more like beach bars than anything else, that serve simple meals such as pizza, salads and hotdogs throughout the day. These can be excellent for simply sitting back during the hot midday with a cold beer or glass of wine, a snack to recharge your batteries from exploring the city, and the gentle lapping of the Mediterranean (and often the roar of supercars) in your ears. Most of these restaurants are equipped with water-misters in the ceilings that gently cool and refresh the clientele.

Somewhere in between these two dining experiences comes the world-famous Caf̩ de Paris, just outside the Casino. Tourists and locals alike can often be found during the afternoon and all through the night laughing, drinking, and eating some fabulous (but verging on expensive) meals. It is definitely a must-go during your stay in Monte Carlo, even if it is just for a snack in the afternoon Рit is well worth it. A new favorite in Monaco is Beefbar located in the Port of La Condamine, they serve excellent meat.

Dining in Monte Carlo can be a very sobering experience to whomever is paying the bill. Perhaps the most exclusive and famous restaurants in the city are the Louis XV Restaurant and the Le Grill de L’Hotel de Paris, both centered on the very exclusive Hotel de Paris. You are more than likely to be seated next to a member of the rich and famous, and the gourmet food is simply out-of-this-world – however, these experiences come with a rather hefty price tag!

 

Nightlife 

Champagne has the status of a national beverage in Monaco. (A single glass can cost as much as €40 at a fashionable restaurant!)

 

Lodging 

see the listing of the Hotels in Monaco

If you’re on a budget, it’s highly recommended that you do not try to find a place to stay in Monaco. For example, a two star hotel without breakfast and bathroom will cost around €60 per person. A better option is to stay in one of the many towns outside of Monaco, for example Ventimiglia a sea-side town situated on the French-Italian border on the Italian side. Nice is only 1/2 hour away from Monaco and it’s very cheap to use the frequent trains. During the winter season, a very nice two star hotel will only cost you about 20 Euro a person, or US $28.

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