BiggiB

HAL are apparently tendering to Fontvieille on the 27th May, but how they are offering excursions in the town other than the practise and maybe a walk round the course in Monte Carlo. From past experiences during a GP Monte Carlo is closed off ?. I expect cruises to the hinterland will operate as normal, but????

Hi, alanandpam

On Friday, 27 May, the practice sessions will be held in the morning. Entrance on all grand stands are free that day.

The town will return to normal traffic by early afternoon and you can even walk along the race track.

The Monaco bus system is working almost "normal" in the morning with direct bus services from Fontvieille to Larvotto (beach part of town, Eastern side of the Principality) or to the Jardin Exotique... and there it is quieter, too and less crowded. Bus service returns to usual schedule in the afternoon. Fontvieille itself is a quiet part of town, with interesting museums, the Classic Car Collection and beautiful gardens. Not to be missed: the Princesse Grace Rose Garden.

Best place on that day in town in the afternoon: The Café de Paris terrace to see the promenade of the most incredible cars, all snailing along the race track due to heavy (private) traffic but doing the rounds again and again.

After the practice sessions, the race track in the main port will be converted into a open-air-party zone. Of course, noisy and crowded, but fun.

Hope this helps to plan your day. :)

Yes, thank you both so much. I have studied MANY itineraries - considering those that stop in Marseille opened up many attractive possibilities. Alas, with the Monte Carlo factor looming large, the information I really needed is whether or not an excursion there would be feasible. You have answered that decisively and I appreciate it!

 

(LOL - apparently I was right to assume that it's a little more difficult and time consuming to trek 200+km along the coast of France than it is across the Canadian prairies...):D

Have a look at this new website: http://www.monacowalks.com.

Has some pretty nice references and lots of information on different tours for the real Monaco aficionado.

Can anyone recommend a tour guide/company for a day tour out of Villefrance? We want to tour Nice/Eze/St. Paul de Vence/Monte Carlo. Please share your experiences. Thanks

Hello SandyR5

As it is understandable, that you want to see the most of French Riviera when you are in Villefranche for one day, but I want to point out that this is like "seeing all of New York" in one day ... including the traffic.

Traffic is really the worse problem in the South of France, as you might find in other postings by fellow travelers, fighting bumper to bumper traffic to reach the port in time.

May I, as a long time resident of this area, suggest that you choose one, maximal 2 towns to explore for the day. You will be much more relaxed and enjoy the French way of life much more.

Like combining Cannes and St. Paul, or Nice and Eze, or Eze and Monte Carlo. Cannes' promenade La Croisette is an easy ride (even though full of traffic), spend more time St. Paul's old city than in Cannes.

Nice's Old Town is a little universe by itself and to combine that with Eze is a pleasant, relaxed day tour.

Monaco again is a country by itself and there's much more to it than the Casino and the Palace.

There's a young man in Villefranche who runs a minivan service. Check it out what he can offer. His name is Loic and his website is: http://www.softagency.fr/ (SOFT standing for South Of France).

If you want to learn more about Monaco, try http://www.visitmonaco.com or http://www.monacowalks.com for additional information.

Enjoy your day on the French Riviera.:)

Hello, SusanIL

Saint-Tropez is such a laid-back port, even with the millions of day-visitors ... wonderful, to have a walk along the harbour, to do some yacht-spotting and people-watching and have a glass of cool rosé on the main square, watching the petanque players. However, the (in)famous beach clubs are not in town, but stretched along the St.Tropez pensinsula, and require taxi rides back and forth. They are all private and ask for a substantial entrance fee... but to sip a glass of bubbly amidst the international jet-set, why not?!

However, you have a lot of time to explore the area. If you are into history and/or wines, it is worth to choose the Thoronet excursion. You will be driving through oak and chestnut forests across the Massif de Maures mountain range, nice villages to be seen on the way. The wine country behind the mountains is all rolling hills and vineyards to the horizon. Good wines, too.

There will be time enough for some strolling and shopping in St. Tropez later, I guess. The town has a nice website, just check it out for further information.

Have a nice day in the Provence and a nice day in Monaco, too!