Villefranche - Monaco or Nice

[BeachChica]

Hi - we will be tendering into Villefranche in May and be in port from 10am - 8pm, so pretty long day. Not sure whether to go to Nice or Monaco. For those of you that have been there... are either pretty easy to do on your own? I was reading that the bus is fairly inexpensive. Also, what would the top things to see in each of these locations be. I read on my roll call that the Grand prix will be in MonteCarlo the day we are in port so not sure if that would cause an issue with this location. Thanks!

[screwcork]

If Grand Prix is on I would not go to Monaco, unless you have a special interest for Formula 1!

Nice is (almost) on a walking distance and is a town with something for everybody - shopping, beaches, museums, restaurants, etc.

Screwcork

[BeachChica]

Thanks Screwcork for the info. With the race in Monoco do you think it would be hard to get around the other sites? I am not familiar with the race but do they just close down the streets for this race? I think I read somewhere that Monaco was 15 min one way from the port, and Nice is 15 minutes the other way, is that correct?

 

Also regarding Nice, I read about the flower market (which might be tight to get to since we don't arrive until 10am and need to tender). Will we have enough other things to see to keep is busy since we are in port for 10 hours?

 

Thanks again! :)

[screwcork]

I believe that whole Monaco (which is quite small)would be more or less closed on a Grand Prix day - not only certain streets.

I believe Nice is big enough to fill an entire day. Going there by train would only take a few min. Yes, the flower market is another attraction!

Screwcork

[BeachChica]

Screwcork - I have compiled a list of "things to see" in Nice and came across some suggestions to see Nice Archaeology Museum and Roman Ruins. Do you know if this site is doable if we are just wandering the city. I tried to pull it up on google maps and it didn't look like it was anywhere near the old town of Nice, but I am not sure.

 

Thanks for all the great info!

[BiggiB]

I have to agree with Screwcork ... Monaco is really busy during the Grand Prix and if your interest is not with Formula 1 driving, Nice is the better option.

 

The Archeological Museum and the ruins in Cimiez are located on a hill overlooking the town and can be reached by bus; why not using the hop-on/hop-off bus of Nice, which give you the opportunity to see the most in one day and stops in Cimiez, too.

From Villefranche, take the bus #100 to Nice, get off at the port and walk along the sea side towards the town... a beautiful stroll. Old Nice starts right there and is only steps away from the Promenade. The h-on/h-off bus is leaving from the Promenade as well.

 

One more idea: If you walk along the port of Villefranche towards the beach and train station, you reach the Cap Ferrat peninsula after approx 10 minutes. At the beginning of that peninsula, you find the spectacular Villa Rothschild museum and gardens, with gorgeous views of both the Bay of Villefranche and the Bay of Beaulieu. From the entrance/exit of the museum, bus #82 runs directly into the Port and Old Town of Nice and that bus is normally not as crowded as the #100 on days when cruise ships are in port.

 

Both bus lines run at normal schedules even during the Grand Prix, and cost €1 per person/trip.

 

Have a wonderful day in Nice!

[BeachChica]

Thanks BiggiB - I am adding this to my notes! :)

[anniversay/grad trip]

Thanks BiggiB - I am adding this to my notes! :)

 

IMHO...it would be a real shame to miss Monaco/Monte Carlo...It is breathtaking. It is something that everyone should see. The high end cars, ships, Gucci, Chanel, Dolce&Gabbana shops are worth seeing. We had a drink in the outside cafe of Hotel D'Paris and that was worth the price of the trip. It is like being in a whole other world. Mind you I paid 6euros for a coke (but it ws worth every penny)...Nice, to me is just another metropolitan city. Albeit with great archetecture....

[pobulus]

hello

 

not sure the shops open during the Grand Prix it's really on the road along Monaco and for security some must closed

 

for Archeology Museum be careful if you want to go saturday or sunday ( depends wich day you are docking) all the week end of May we have " May fest ) on the Arenes ( where the ruins are) it's a local fest with danse and attractions you have to pay to come in :)

[pobulus]

hello

 

not sure the shops open during the Grand Prix it's really on the road along Monaco and for security some must closed

 

for Archeology Museum be careful if you want to go saturday or sunday ( depends wich day you are docking) all the week end of May we have " May fest ) on the Arenes ( where the ruins are) it's a local fest with danse and attractions you have to pay to come in

 

to look at them on the google map just look at the top on the town and search for Cimiez

:)

[Baseball fan]

I don't think I would go to Monaco either during the race. I was just there and they were setting up for the race. The race runs right past where you would get off the train and I would expect the crowds in that area to be huge (and lots of bleachers where you would normally walk). The race runs thru a big part of town and would impact the area around the casino too.

 

Nice is a great city to spend a day...as others have said there is plenty to do. I took a train and walked to the Chagall museum and then back to town for shopping and site seeing. I picked up an inexpensive lunch in Monoprix on the main street. Monoprix is similar to a US drugstore but they also have groceries and pre-made food. I found a nice little park and ate my lunch there. I ended up taking a long walk along the promanade before meeting up with friends.

[poss]

The Chagall museum is quite extraordinary (not if one doesn't care for Chagall though).