How to do French Riviera?
Mar 27th, 2014, 06:40 AM
#1
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How to do French Riviera?
My 22 year old son and I will be in the French Riviera in June for 2 nights. (We will train from Marsailles) My son wants to hit Monaco and Monte Carlo for sure. What can you tell me about going to these areas? Is it doable in a full day and half of another? Any suggestions on anything around there? I could use all the help possible. I'm not even sure how to do accomodations at this point because I dont know the lay out of my plans yet.
Mar 27th, 2014, 06:50 AM
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I'd stay in Nice for such a short visit and then do a day trip to Monaco/Monte Carlo - one in the same thing for all practical purposes - a tiny city worth at most a few hours of time for the novelty of it if nothing else.
Nice is a lively city that young guys that age will love - so much right in town.
You can take trains up and down the Riviera - to Monaco - coastal shuttle trains trundle constantly up and down the coast. For lots on French trains check the same sites I gave on your other thread - www.seat61.com; www.ricksteves.com and www.budgeteuropetravel.com. For Marseille to Nice trains www.voyages-sncf.com or www.capitainetrain.com have discounted fares like I explained on the other thread.
For commuter trains from Nice to Monaco just buy tickets before the train - really cheap and no discount for buying in advance.
Nice is a lively city that young guys that age will love - so much right in town.
You can take trains up and down the Riviera - to Monaco - coastal shuttle trains trundle constantly up and down the coast. For lots on French trains check the same sites I gave on your other thread - www.seat61.com; www.ricksteves.com and www.budgeteuropetravel.com. For Marseille to Nice trains www.voyages-sncf.com or www.capitainetrain.com have discounted fares like I explained on the other thread.
For commuter trains from Nice to Monaco just buy tickets before the train - really cheap and no discount for buying in advance.
Mar 27th, 2014, 06:55 AM
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Yep - most 22 year old wants to visit Monte Carlo. I'm guessing that most fathers who have already visited Monte Carlo, advise their 22 year old sons to spend their limited time elsewhere.
Stu Dudley
Stu Dudley
Mar 27th, 2014, 07:50 AM
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So I'm thinking casino - I THINK there is a pretty strict dress code? you might want to check it out so he's prepared. Me, I like Nice, Monaco is way too chi-chi for me. And I also think the bus is easier to deal with than the train. altho that may depend on the location of the hotel. I would think your son would really enjoy the promenade at Nice but who knows, maybe some of the 1% have wandered into our forum.
Mar 27th, 2014, 07:53 AM
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suec--there is (or was when we visited) a dress code, but it was not that strict. As I remember, it was limited to certain areas of the Casino.
FWIW, we were quite disappointed in the Casino and in Monte Carlo in general. But to each his own. Take a day trip by train from Nice--parking is very expensive.
FWIW, we were quite disappointed in the Casino and in Monte Carlo in general. But to each his own. Take a day trip by train from Nice--parking is very expensive.
Mar 27th, 2014, 08:40 AM
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The Casino of Monte-Carlo IS something special - you cannot compare it to American casinos. The dress code for the main area (with the beautiful rooms and the table games) is very strict - suit and tie are mandatory. Only for the slot machines, the dress code is more relaxed. To get a true feeling of the Casino, you have to go there in the evening, of course.
Before you go, you might have a drink at Hotel de Paris - another attraction of Monte-Carlo.
The rest of Monaco has also many things to offer: the Palace, the old town on the Rocher, the historic Aquarium, the cactus garden...
One of the main attractions is driving the famous corniches between Nice and Monace and especially the hairpin curves of the steep roads which connect the Moyenne and the Grande Corniche. Make sure that you have a proper rental car - nothing below BMW.
If your son still wants to visit the Casino (properly dressed) it will make sense to spend the night in Monaco and do daytrips to other places of the Cote d'Azur.
If you want to know a little more about the region, read my post here:
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...cote-dazur.cfm
Before you go, you might have a drink at Hotel de Paris - another attraction of Monte-Carlo.
The rest of Monaco has also many things to offer: the Palace, the old town on the Rocher, the historic Aquarium, the cactus garden...
One of the main attractions is driving the famous corniches between Nice and Monace and especially the hairpin curves of the steep roads which connect the Moyenne and the Grande Corniche. Make sure that you have a proper rental car - nothing below BMW.
If your son still wants to visit the Casino (properly dressed) it will make sense to spend the night in Monaco and do daytrips to other places of the Cote d'Azur.
If you want to know a little more about the region, read my post here:
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...cote-dazur.cfm
May 13th, 2014, 06:42 PM
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Here's some info on the Casino. Went during the day. but would have loved playing at the tables in the evening.
The Casino in Monte Carlo requires a passport for entry. The casino offers several different rooms. The most basic houses slot machines and others hold various gaming tables etc. The entrance fee is based on how far you want to go into the casino. You should plan on 10 to 20 Euro per person entry fee depending on which rooms you plan on going into. From noon to 4:00 PM there is no dress code for the 1st room only. Any rooms after the first require coat and tie and all rooms require coat and tie after 4:00 PM. Everyone who enters must be 21 or older.
The Casino in Monte Carlo requires a passport for entry. The casino offers several different rooms. The most basic houses slot machines and others hold various gaming tables etc. The entrance fee is based on how far you want to go into the casino. You should plan on 10 to 20 Euro per person entry fee depending on which rooms you plan on going into. From noon to 4:00 PM there is no dress code for the 1st room only. Any rooms after the first require coat and tie and all rooms require coat and tie after 4:00 PM. Everyone who enters must be 21 or older.
May 14th, 2014, 05:41 AM
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Yep - most 22 year old wants to visit Monte Carlo. I'm guessing that most fathers who have already visited Monte Carlo, advise their 22 year old sons to spend their limited time elsewhere.>
when I was 20 the one thing I wanted to see on the French Riviera was Monaco - just because it was Monaco - something one has to see, like it or not and there are things to like - the fancy yachts in the yacht club - the ornate casino cruisetaker talks about and just the general novelty of the place - which of course was a big greater in my youth when Grace Kelly was reigning as Princess to old fart Rainier.
so don't plan to spend all day there but since it is only a short train or bus ride from Nice take a look at this world-famous unique place - do not let blased veteran travelers douse your interest if you want to go, go. You will remember it more than many other things you see on the Cote d'Azur.
when I was 20 the one thing I wanted to see on the French Riviera was Monaco - just because it was Monaco - something one has to see, like it or not and there are things to like - the fancy yachts in the yacht club - the ornate casino cruisetaker talks about and just the general novelty of the place - which of course was a big greater in my youth when Grace Kelly was reigning as Princess to old fart Rainier.
so don't plan to spend all day there but since it is only a short train or bus ride from Nice take a look at this world-famous unique place - do not let blased veteran travelers douse your interest if you want to go, go. You will remember it more than many other things you see on the Cote d'Azur.
May 14th, 2014, 09:45 AM
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Monaco/Monte Carlo is for the uber wealthy - or those who are willing to live/spend like them for the day.
You can do the whole James Bond number in the casino - we've done it a couple of times and it is a hoot. But you can only do in in season - when all the gigantic yachts are in the harbor, you have to be dressed properly (in the inner rooms of the casino many men are in tuxes and women in gowns and real jewels) and minimum bets are not small. Anyone thinking this is a super Las Vegas is in for a real shock in terms of entry fees and amounts wagered. I think there may be an outer room - just for slots - that doesn't require such formal dress. (Do look at the casino website carefully before going.)
If I had so little time in the Cote d'Azur I would spend it in Nice and exploring one or two of the villages behind the coast.
You can do the whole James Bond number in the casino - we've done it a couple of times and it is a hoot. But you can only do in in season - when all the gigantic yachts are in the harbor, you have to be dressed properly (in the inner rooms of the casino many men are in tuxes and women in gowns and real jewels) and minimum bets are not small. Anyone thinking this is a super Las Vegas is in for a real shock in terms of entry fees and amounts wagered. I think there may be an outer room - just for slots - that doesn't require such formal dress. (Do look at the casino website carefully before going.)
If I had so little time in the Cote d'Azur I would spend it in Nice and exploring one or two of the villages behind the coast.
