Villefrance, France & Monte Carlo, Monaco: Just Got Back

[CaribbeanBound]

Villefrance, France & Monte Carlo, Monaco

Villefrance was the only port on this cruise where every ship has to tender. We got in line for the tender about 7:15 am and just missed catching the first boat to shore. Other than the time spent loading the boat, it was a quick 10-15 minute trip to shore. We exited the tender, walked through a small cruise terminal and found ourselves on the street. Citadelle Saint-Elme, a 16th Century fort with museums and gardens, is to your left.

 

Lots of folks explored Villefrance and many went to Nice. We set our sights on Monte Carlo, Monaco; the second smallest country in the world, after The Vatican. We visited #1 while we were in Rome. How could we pass up a bucketlist opportunity to visit #2 on the same trip?

 

The original plan was to simply walk to our right about 10 minutes to the Villefrance train station and catch a quick 10-15 minute train (€3 Euros) to Monte Carlo, Monaco. What could be easier? Well, we were thwarted by a rail strike which cancelled most, but not all, trains in France. It was announced well in advance so, not to be deterred, we went with plan B.

 

We took the bus (just €1,50 pp each way, pay when you get on). The only problem in taking the bus is you have to walk up a hill. Everyone will tell you how horribly difficult this task is and look at you like you're crazy to attempt it. Ignore them. From the port, you walk uphill and slightly to the left and follow the bus stop signs to the Octroi bus stop. When going to Monte Carlo, simply wait at the covered bus stop on the sea side of the street (Avenue Du Marechal Foch) in front of a small park (Jardin François Binon Community Garden). There is a tourist information booth, open odd hours, on one corner of the park.

 

Your return stop is across the street by the stores. Buses run about every 15 minutes and it's normally a 20-minute ride. Take the #100 or #100X eastbound "Menton" bus to Monte Carlo. The road was more congested today due to the train strike and it took 45 minutes to get to Monte Carlo.

 

It's easy to miss the border crossing. It's a non-event, no different from driving from one town into another. Ask the bus driver to drop you off at the palace stop. It's the second stop in Monaco. Get off and follow the sidewalk to the right and up the ramp to the Prince's Palace.

 

There is lots to do up here. In no particular order: we enjoyed the great views of the mountains, sea, spectacular marinas, and surrounding areas (You can easily see the stands and the street barrier preparations for The Grand Prix which runs here in late May); walked the gardens; watched the changing of the guards (11:55 am); visited the Saint Nicholas Cathedral where Princess Grace (Kelly) and Prince Rainer are buried; and two blocks later, explored the Oceanographic Museum (aquarium downstairs/museum upstairs).

 

It only takes about an hour to explore Oceanographic Museum (€14, opens at 10:00 am). Buy your tickets outside the museum to the left. The self-guided tour starts in the aquarium and leads you upstairs into the museum. Both halves were equally interesting, though kids are more likely to enjoy the aquarium. The Museum has more than 6,000 specimens on display. It's worth the visit.

 

After departing the museum we shared a sandwich from one of the shops and wandered the streets near the palace until the changing of the guard ceremony. These never get old. While we were practically alone when we arrived around 9:00 am, the palace ground was crowded for the 11:55 am event. Following the guard ceremony, we walked back down the ramp and checked out the shops and farmers market at the bottom of the hill.

 

We thought about visiting Jardin Exotique which features beautiful cactus gardens and city views high above Monte Carlo as well as a neat cave with stalactites and stalagmites. We opted to return to Villefrance and explore there instead.

 

Returning, we walked around the traffic circle and waited for the #100 or #100X westbound "Nice" bus across the street (Boulevard Charles III) from where the original bus dropped us off. The return trip took just 25 minutes.

 

At this point it was about 1:30 pm. We walked down to Citadelle Saint-Elme (Saint Elmo), located literally on the other side of the park where we got off the bus. The entrance faces the cruise terminal. While not an awesome "castle" experience, it's still worth a visit. It hosts 1 large and 3 small museums, nice gardens, statues, great views (including of the ship) and photo opportunities, has public restrooms, and it's free! We spent a leisurely hour exploring the site.

 

We intended to go swimming in Villefrance. This is, after all, the French Riviera! They have a great sandy beach here, just in front of the train station, not more than an easy 15 minute walk from the terminal. Had we taken the train we would have also brought our swimsuits and gone swimming upon our return from Monte Carlo. But we didn't, so we explored the town instead.

 

We wandered the narrow streets and climbed many sets of stairs in the main section of Villefrance just above the port. We enjoyed an awesome homemade blackberry gelato (€3,80 for 2 scoops) at Solea. This was easily the best gelato we enjoyed during our entire trip. My mouth waters just thinking about it

 

Come late afternoon we headed back to the cruise terminal. Finding free wi-fi, we sat down on one of the many public benches when we got through the security checkpoint and spent maybe 30 minutes checking email and sending pictures before boarding the tender to head back to the ship.

 

 

Complete detailed review of Celebrity Reflection and 8 Western Mediterranean Ports

http://www.lavasurfer.com/info/western-mediterranean.html

 

Secrets of the Mediterranean: details, hints, and tips for over 20 Mediterranean Cities

http://www.lavasurfer.com/info/mediterranean-secrets.html

[hoosierdaddy10]

Thanks for your report. We will be in port in November. We are thinking of taking the train to Monte Carlo and was deciding if we should do a guided tour or just a DIY visit. It sounds like you saw every thing you wanted on your own. Is there anything you would have done different?

[CaribbeanBound]

We were exceeding happy with our DIY tour. It covered everything we wanted to see on a quick day trip to Monte Carlo.

 

If you wish to extend your DIY tour, consider visiting Jardin Exotique which features beautiful cactus gardens and city views high above Monte Carlo as well as a neat cave with stalactites and stalagmites. We opted to return to Villefrance and explore there instead.