Monaco and environs
Jun 30th, 2003 | 03:45 PM
#1
Original Poster
Joined: Jun 2003
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Monaco and environs
We will be using a friend's apartment in Monaco as our base for a week long visit during mid-July. We'll have a car and would like to explore towns and villages in nearby France and Italy. Any suggestions for interesting markets, beautiful sights or fabulous restaurants -- we'll probably indulge in one splurge -- within an hour or two of Monaco? Thanks for sharing your ideas. Cindi
Jul 1st, 2003 | 06:15 AM
#2
Joined: Jan 2003
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Lucky you! You should have a look at the website provencebeyond.com
Beautiful sights:
Eze, Cap Ferrat (Villa Ephrussi-look at website ephrussi-villa.com), Villa Kerylos in Beaulieu (also on the same website), St Paul de Vence, Menton
Restaurants:
Chateau de la Chevre D'Or in Eze
La Colombe D'Or in St Paul de Vence
Don't know what type of markets you're looking for (food, flower, brocante). Nice has all. Vence above St Paul has food. Check provencebeyond for more.
Beautiful sights:
Eze, Cap Ferrat (Villa Ephrussi-look at website ephrussi-villa.com), Villa Kerylos in Beaulieu (also on the same website), St Paul de Vence, Menton
Restaurants:
Chateau de la Chevre D'Or in Eze
La Colombe D'Or in St Paul de Vence
Don't know what type of markets you're looking for (food, flower, brocante). Nice has all. Vence above St Paul has food. Check provencebeyond for more.
Jul 1st, 2003 | 07:38 AM
#3
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 357
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Chateau de la Chevre D'Or in Eze has my vote. The food is fantastic, the views are truly breath-taking and the service is excellent. One of my most memorable meals ever (and not just because of the price!!)
It is about 30 minutes from Monaco if I remmeber correctly.
Angela
It is about 30 minutes from Monaco if I remmeber correctly.
Angela
Jul 1st, 2003 | 01:35 PM
#4
Guest
Posts: n/a
Another vote for Chevre d'Or which is expensive, but the best - you might want to opt for lunch instead of dinner.
Nice has the flower and fruit and veggie market at the Cours Selaya just about every day, with lots of bistros around the market. And both the Chagall and Matisse Museums.
On Friday morning there is a market in Ventimiglia Italy. It's an easy enough drive, but parking is another story. You might want to take the train.
Browse or pick-up a guidebook of the towns in/around Monaco - East to Menton and West to Cannes and up in the hills. There are charming perched villages. Plan your time so you visit places in one area per day, don't try going back and forth. One day East towards Roquebrune and Menton (whichis on Italian Border); another day Eze and Cap Ferate; another Nice and St. Paul de Vence & Maeght Fndtn Museum; Grasse and Biot and Valbonne; and don't forget to allow a morning to discover what's up on The Rock (Palace, Church, Jacques Cousteau) and the rest of Monaco. And you'll still have time to go out to Cannes and environs.
Do realize that July is very busy, so suggest you get started early in the day or you'll be tied up in traffic and finding parking is "a bitch" (sorry, but it is). There are free lots in most small towns, but the lots are small and you have to wait or park on the road and then do lots of walking.
Check for a "museum pass" - don't know where you get it, but it is good for just about all the museums along the Cote d'Azur and good for a year. Unlike Provence, where there are lots of copies in museums (few orginals, most all are in Britain, Paris, New York etc.) there is lots of original art in the Cote d'Azur museums.
There are also some interesting little museums in MC - and if you get tired walking the hills (there are about 7-levels of hills) there is an elevator built into the hills right behind the beach down the lane near the Museum of Automation (automated dolls and things) - look for it, it'll take you up to about the 5th level of hills.
The info office in town will have all current info for you. Have fun!!!
Nice has the flower and fruit and veggie market at the Cours Selaya just about every day, with lots of bistros around the market. And both the Chagall and Matisse Museums.
On Friday morning there is a market in Ventimiglia Italy. It's an easy enough drive, but parking is another story. You might want to take the train.
Browse or pick-up a guidebook of the towns in/around Monaco - East to Menton and West to Cannes and up in the hills. There are charming perched villages. Plan your time so you visit places in one area per day, don't try going back and forth. One day East towards Roquebrune and Menton (whichis on Italian Border); another day Eze and Cap Ferate; another Nice and St. Paul de Vence & Maeght Fndtn Museum; Grasse and Biot and Valbonne; and don't forget to allow a morning to discover what's up on The Rock (Palace, Church, Jacques Cousteau) and the rest of Monaco. And you'll still have time to go out to Cannes and environs.
Do realize that July is very busy, so suggest you get started early in the day or you'll be tied up in traffic and finding parking is "a bitch" (sorry, but it is). There are free lots in most small towns, but the lots are small and you have to wait or park on the road and then do lots of walking.
Check for a "museum pass" - don't know where you get it, but it is good for just about all the museums along the Cote d'Azur and good for a year. Unlike Provence, where there are lots of copies in museums (few orginals, most all are in Britain, Paris, New York etc.) there is lots of original art in the Cote d'Azur museums.
There are also some interesting little museums in MC - and if you get tired walking the hills (there are about 7-levels of hills) there is an elevator built into the hills right behind the beach down the lane near the Museum of Automation (automated dolls and things) - look for it, it'll take you up to about the 5th level of hills.
The info office in town will have all current info for you. Have fun!!!
Jul 1st, 2003 | 02:30 PM
#5
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 189
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JUst a note about the market in Ventimiglia is not in my opinion a true European MArket it is more like a sleezy flea Market you might find any where . The merchandise is mostly imported for africa and china and pretty shabby. Huge amount of Knock Off merchandise.
We were dissapointed that we waisted time there when we had a limited amount of time in Italy
We were dissapointed that we waisted time there when we had a limited amount of time in Italy
Jul 1st, 2003 | 03:09 PM
#6
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 93
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I would definitely visit La Turbie, located high on the hills above Monaco, Monte Carlo with expansive, breath-taking views of the entire coastline and into Italy. La Turbie is located at the site of the former boundary between the kingdom of the Gauls (France) and the Romans in Italy. A comemmorative arch in honor of Julius Caesar's victories over the neighboring tribes/peoples was erected high on the bluff and is huge. The views from atop the arch are incredible! The city is charming and provincial in its feel, yet is only a short 45 minute taxi ride up from Monaco. I would recommend staying at the Hotel Napoleon in the heart of town. There are nice historical things to see in the city (Dante visited there in the 15th C), as well as a charming local morning market and quaint shops. Check out this website on La Turbie for more information: http://www.laturbiefrance.com/photos.htm
Also, to avoid paying high prices for souvenirs, gifts, etc. visit St. Raphael (about 40 minutes west of Monaco) for a great small-town located right on the beach with lots of personality and charm. I stocked up on gifts there, rather than in Monaco and saved a bundle. Have a wonderful time in the lovely Cote d'Azur -- one of my most favorite places to go to in France.
Also, to avoid paying high prices for souvenirs, gifts, etc. visit St. Raphael (about 40 minutes west of Monaco) for a great small-town located right on the beach with lots of personality and charm. I stocked up on gifts there, rather than in Monaco and saved a bundle. Have a wonderful time in the lovely Cote d'Azur -- one of my most favorite places to go to in France.
