If you are in the South of France and any where within travelling distance of Monaco it is worth making the effort to go and see this little dream land. In many ways Monaco is the way a world could be, it is so dam clean and organised. Just getting off the train is like stepping into another world. I have been in Monaco a few times before but I saw much more this time and took more time to walk around the area of the palace.
Yesterday we were in Nice and the day before Golfe Juan you might like those posts too.
Arriving by train in Monaco you are faced with many choices of direction just as you get off the train. There are great under ground passages that lead you to different areas of the principality. We knew we wanted to head to the castle and older part of the town and followed the signs along the moving paths underground to Monaco Ville. It is extremely noticeable if you see a bit of paper or cigarette end in the streets because the place is so clean. I will tray and stop going on about this.
We sat beside a little market and had a coffee, (only €5 for 2), to get out bearings. The harbour to the left the castle pathway in front of us. In larger cities I am a fan of the open top busses, they are usually quite reasonable and let you get around in a day and you also get your bearings. Here in Monaco I suggest you walk as it is not that big, though the tour bus is there if you want it. We walked up to the castle. The castle itself is not very impressive, I was born in Scotland a country that can really do castles. But the views over both sides of the city are worth the walk.
Opposite the castle is a small area of long narrow streets with coffee shops, restaurants, and tourist junk. Hidden in here is Monaco Cathedral and the justice building side by side, both are worth seeing. We followed the road down the west side of this area, after a few minutes Anna pointed out to me a house she would like – a woman of inexpensive tastes…
Just down from here is a small park beside the Oceanographic Museum, the park is very peaceful and has some great bronze sculptures – see photos below.
From here we wanted to get down to the marina without having to walk the long way back down the long of the road. We found a pathway just before the gates of the castle area to the right. This path winds down the side of the cliff and through an old amphitheatre before bringing us out right on the southern end of the port. We wanted to come out here as there is a small ferry that goes from one side of the harbour to the other and it only costs €1 – a great ride for getting some photos of Monaco that you would not otherwise get.
Monte Carlo
Getting off the ferry we walked into the tunnel made famous from the formula 1 held here. Part way along the tunnel is a sign to the Casino area and an elevator that takes you up to that level. This is one of the things to understand about Monaco due to the lack of land there is so many buildings built on top of other building, the tunnel, a hotel, apartments, concert hall all built on top of each other and then hang out over the sea supported by pillars – it is quite amazing to see the incredible use of land.
A side note – talking of the use of land, I was amazed to see that Monte Carlo will soon have a McDonalds, not the usual red and yellow, but green and yellow – but please some places can do with the fast food crap.
