Visiting Monte Carlo during Grand Prix week
 

Not a car racing fan ... and of the 52 weeks in a year, I just had to pick (and book non-refundable place tickets) to Nice during race week 2016 ... No doubt public transportation will be more crowded than normal - but what about Monte Carlo itself? Since we're in the area, we are definitely planning to be day trippers to Monte Carlo, but wondering how possible that is considering that race events will be taking place.

We'd like to take a boat from Nice (and already have the reservation form from Trans Cote D'Azur), but we can't pre-book the trip, but have to arrange at the dock by noon the day before we'd like to
make this trip. Unfortunately since we can't pre-book, not sure if this will work out.

Assuming this works out, can anyone recommend a nice place for lunch in Monte Carlo, say 50E or less for 2.

Thanks!

We took a train from Nice to Monte Carlo; we walked around the harbor and looked at yachts [there had been a show there earlier in the week] We then walked down to the Casino. You have to be properly dressed to get in and we weren't. We strolled a bit there and then headed back to Nice. All in all - meh. I don't think you'd miss much if you skipped it. YMMV

IMHO, there are nicer little villages to visit we particularly liked Villefranche-sur-Mer and Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat do visit the the house and gardens of Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild.

Monaco is all about wealth and the ostentatious display of same, from the uber elegant hotels and restaurants, to the gigantic yachts in the harbor to the excusive designer shops to the casino - with entrance fees, dress requirements and high minimum bets.

We have gone by car a couple of times from Nice for dinner and to visit the casino - and yes the inner rooms do look like a James Bond film (lots of designer clothes and jewels). But not at the same time as the Grand Prix - which means the town will be bursting at the seams with many places reserved weeks or months in advance.

I would agree to go elsewhere unless you can go either very early n the week or after the race.

And €50 lunches would be pretty thin on the ground . . .

Definitely spend your time (and money) elsewhere.

Agree. There is nothing inherently interesting about Monaco unless you have a yacht and enough money to lose thousands or more at the casino, or unless you enjoy gazing at people who do. A 50-euro lunch for two might yield a couple of sandwiches and a beer. And it will likely be packed.

With the wealth of prettier, more interesting towns inthe surrounds, I'd head elsewhere.

Practice for the Grand Prix starts on the Friday of the race weekend, with roads around and across the circuit closed. Moving around Monaco at that time is almost impossible except on foot, because road closures start a week or two before the race to allow for the erection of the race barriers. Traffic is a complete jam.

Prices in the town, inflated in any case, become astronomical during the period and that applies to Nice as well. If you want to attend the practice sessions or race itself, you might want to have a look at the entry costs:

https://www.monaco-grand-prix.com/en/2542-monaco-f1/

Unless you have an interest in watching the races, then I'd give Monaco a miss.

Hi debs,

I have just made the same mistake as you! Booked Nice front eh 24th until the 27th of may not realising the race was on! Would really love to visit Monaco. Any tips? Is it easy to get from nice to Monaco during Grand Prix?
What is the atmosphere/ crowds like in Nice during this time? I was hoping to relax for a couple of days but I guess that's out of the question!!

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
Lisa

It doesn't really impact Nice, though hotels may be busy and more expensive.

The GP goes through the streets of Monaco; you cannot avoid it. If you have no interest in it, skip Monaco.

We were in Nice that weekend and it also was the end of the Cannes Film Festival. Nice was packed, restaurants overbooked, so I can't imagine what Monte Carlo was like. Follow advice above and visit other towns outside of Nice. Maybe rent a car and visit the Piemonte, not far away.

We made the trip from Nice to Monaco last year, during race week, taking the train. It's a quick ride from Nice. Walked up to the palace, saw the changing of the guard at the palace, had a quick lunch, then made our way down to the cathedral. If you enter the cathedral, you'll see the final resting place for both Princess Grace and Prince Ranier. Wound up taking the 'mini tour train' (departs from across the aquarium), and glad we did as walking down towards the casino was pretty impossible due to on going preparations for the race. One of the smallest countries in Europe and we pretty much got stopped in our tracks! What was frustrating were the ongoing transit strikes in Nice, including rail, bus and port strikes. We were planning on taking the train from Nice to Marseille, however, that was on strike, so our hotel helped us arrange to take the long haul bus, and every seat was taken on both the ride to Marseille and back to Nice. We'd also planned a couple of day trips from both Nice and Marseille, but plans had to be changed of where we actually visited due to the train strike.

Nice was crowded, but never had a problem with getting a table at a restaurant, but we tend to eat early, so maybe that had something to do with it.

We enjoyed our brief trip to Monaco, despite ongoing race week preparations. The views of the Mediterranean are nothing less than spectacular!