Road Trip 2024 Day 8 - Nice (France) Monaco, Monte Carlo and San Remo (Italy) 69km
Our road trips are never really that planned out to be honest, and if we do make plans they invariably change during the journey and this holiday is no different, we really did not know how far into France we would get in a limited time, but since we managed to get all the way to Nice and with Monaco being so close it would have been a shame not to visit, and with Italy also just a short journey from there, it seemed logical to cross over into Italy as well, so although today's drive was quite a short one, we actually went from France, to Monaco, back into France then over the Italian border all in a 69km drive.
Leaving our B&B in La Trinite after a good breakfast which was included in the price the drive to Monaco was only a short one, but with some stunning scenery along the way as you head into Monaco itself.
Monaco is one of the smallest countries in the world, second only to Vatican City, with an area of just about 2.1 square kilometers (0.81 square miles). The entire country is smaller than New York’s Central Park!
Despite its size, it’s densely populated, with a population of around 39,000 people and the traffic was quite heavy even this time of year. The streets are known for their narrow and winding layout, which makes driving challenging, particularly for those not familiar with the area, such as us, it was a unique but quite stressful experience, to say the least.
Due to Monaco’s mountainous terrain, many roads feature steep inclines and descents. There are also several tunnels and sharp turns, especially along the route of the Formula 1 Grand Prix circuit, which I am sure we drove along at some point.
Road Trip 2024 Day 8
We had set the Sat Nav to the Palace, but police were out in force blocking the roads to all but buses, so we had to find a nearby car park and hope we were not too far from the palace itself, which was the main item to see on our agenda in Monaco city itself.
Monaco City, also known as Monaco-Ville or Le Rocher (The Rock), is the historic and cultural heart of the Principality of Monaco. Situated on a rocky promontory overlooking the Mediterranean, this old town area offers many must-see attractions and charming spots.
Places we visited in Monaco City:
Prince’s Palace of Monaco - The Prince’s Palace is the official residence of the ruling Grimaldi family. It’s not only the official residence of the Prince of Monaco but also a national symbol of the principality's heritage and monarchy.
Originally built as a Genoese fortress in 1191, the palace has been home to the Grimaldi family since François Grimaldi took control of it in 1297. The Grimaldis have ruled Monaco almost continuously for over 700 years. The palace remains a working residence, where Prince Albert II and his family live and conduct official business.
During the summer months, certain areas of the palace, like the State Apartment where visitors can tour the historic rooms and learn about the palace's rich past.
Palace Square (Place du Palais) - This open square in front of the Prince’s Palace offers breath-taking views of Monaco’s harbour, Monte Carlo, and the surrounding hills. It’s an ideal spot for photos, with the palace on one side and panoramic views of the city on the other.
The square also features cannons and historical artifacts dating back to the 18th century, symbolizing Monaco’s historical defenses.
The Changing of the Guard ceremony, (The “Carabiniers du Prince,”) takes place every day at precisely 11:55, outside the palace, attracting tourists who come to witness the pomp and precision of this long-standing tradition, unfortunately we missed the ceremony itself, but the area was very busy with lots of walking tour groups.
If you have walking difficulties this area could be difficult to see, there are a LOT of steps up a VERY steep hill to get to the Palace, but its worth the effort for the wonderful views along the way.
Monaco Cathedral (Saint Nicholas Cathedral) - This is a Romanesque-Byzantine church constructed in 1875 on the site of an earlier 13th-century church dedicated to Saint Nicholas, which had fallen into disrepair.
The church was completed in 1903 and has since been the seat of the Archdiocese of Monaco, as well as a prominent gathering place for national celebrations and religious events.
The cathedral's design reflects traditional French influences and features a distinctive white stone façade, using stones from the nearby town of La Turbie.
The cathedral holds the tombs of members of the Grimaldi family, including the much-loved Princess Grace (Grace Kelly) and her husband, Prince Rainier III. Their graves are marked with simple, elegant inscriptions, and are visited by people from around the world.
Inside, you will find beautiful mosaics, stained-glass windows, and an impressive altar.
The cathedral is also known for its grand pipe organ, a masterpiece that was restored and expanded in the 1970s. The organ has four keyboards, 79 stops, and over 6,000 pipes, creating a powerful, resonant sound.
The cathedral is open to the public daily, except during certain ceremonies and Mass times, and there is no entrance fee, though donations are welcomed.
Both the city tour bus and the train can be used to explore this area of Monaco.
Oceanographic Museum - Founded by Prince Albert I, the Oceanographic Museum is one of Monaco’s most iconic buildings, perched on a cliff overlooking the sea. It’s dedicated to marine sciences and has impressive displays of marine life, from coral reefs to sharks.
The museum’s rooftop terrace offers spectacular views of Monaco and the Mediterranean, along with a restaurant, with time being limited we decided the view from outside was enough for us on this visit.
Saint-Martin Gardens - These lush gardens surround the Oceanographic Museum and offer scenic walking paths, exotic plants, and sculptures dedicated to Prince Albert I. The gardens overlook the Mediterranean and provide peaceful spots for relaxation amidst beautiful landscaping, sadly it had now started raining quite heavily so we were not able to explore this area more.
Many pathways offer viewpoints with panoramic vistas over the sea and the port areas.
Rue Comte Félix Gastaldi - This narrow, picturesque street is the main thoroughfare in Monaco-Ville. Lined with colourful houses, small shops, and cafes, it provides an authentic experience of Monaco’s old town charm.
Many local boutiques and souvenir shops are located here, making it a perfect place for a leisurely stroll or to pick up a keepsake.
Old Town (Monaco-Ville) Architecture - Strolling through Monaco-Ville, visitors can see narrow streets, charming buildings with pastel facades, and traditional Monegasque architectural details.
Points of interest include public fountains, old street lamps, and flower-lined windows that reflect Monaco’s Mediterranean atmosphere.
Getting Around: Monaco City is pedestrian-friendly, and it’s best to explore on foot. Elevators and escalators help navigate the steep terrain.
Timing: Visit early in the morning or late afternoon for fewer crowds, especially in peak tourist seasons.
Monaco City combines royal history, cultural landmarks, and breath-taking views, making it one of the most scenic and memorable parts of Monaco to explore and we really enjoyed our time here.
Coming to Monaco of course the other location that is a must see, is the famous casino in Monte Carlo.
Road Trip 2024 Day 8
MONTE CARLO
The Monte Carlo Casino, officially known as the Casino de Monte-Carlo, is one of the most iconic and luxurious casinos in the world, it’s famous for its opulent architecture, high-stakes gambling rooms, and association with wealth and glamour.
The casino is a symbol of the Principality’s lavish lifestyle and is often considered one of the most famous gambling destinations globally.
The Monte Carlo Sky Mirror is close to Monaco’s iconic Casino Square and surrounded by beautifully landscaped gardens and fountains.
Its strategic placement means it reflects the Casino de Monte-Carlo, luxury hotels, and the Mediterranean sky, creating a constantly shifting view that attracts both locals and tourists.
The casino was opened in 1863, an initiative by Princess Caroline and designed by architect Charles Garnier, who also designed the Paris Opera House.
At the time, Monaco was facing severe financial issues, and the idea of creating a casino aimed to attract wealthy visitors and generate revenue. The casino succeeded in transforming Monaco’s fortunes and turned Monte Carlo into a glamorous hub for the rich and famous.
The Monte Carlo Casino has made many appearances in films, especially in James Bond films. It was a key location in the films GoldenEye and Casino Royale.
If you are lucky you will also see the line of luxury cars parked in front of the casino.
The Casino Square (Place du Casino) - is the glamorous square outside the casino, surrounded by high-end hotels, luxury boutiques, and restaurants. The Hôtel de Paris, one of Monaco’s most luxurious hotels, is located here, along with the Café de Paris, a lively venue for casual gambling and fine dining.
The square is known for its grand fountain, palm trees, and beautiful gardens, making it a popular spot for visitors and photographers alike and even this time of year it was a very busy area.
The Monte Carlo Fountain at the heart of Monaco’s Casino Square is an iconic landmark associated with the glamour of Monaco and the enduring romance of Grace Kelly and Prince Rainier III.
The Monte Carlo Fountain is set against the backdrop of the Casino de Monte-Carlo and luxurious hotels like the Hôtel de Paris. The fountain’s circular design and shimmering water make it a stunning center-piece.
Grace Kelly brought a timeless, graceful presence to Monaco, and the places she frequented have become culturally significant landmarks. Even decades after her passing.
The car park is right opposite the square and to our surprise was FREE. We really enjoyed our brief visit to Monaco, and can now say, been there, done that and bought the T-Shirt, and a fridge magnet of course.
Its now time to start our journey to our overnight accommodation, but first we have a short drive back into France before we hit the Italian boarder, just 13km away. To be honest, this part of our road trip was purely to say we had driven to Italy and spent a night there.
Our accommodation was booked in Ospedaletti, situated in Province of Imperia, just 19km over the Italian boarder, we checked in and then it was off to explore San Remo, once again the weather was against us and it started to rain, so we did not do much wandering around in the dark and wet.
Road Trip 2024 Day 8
Driving in San Remo was a traumatic experience, the roads were very busy and Italian drivers are something else, even being used to driving in Spain this was very stressful and trying to find a car park in the chaos took us all over the town, eventually we found one and fortunately it was near the old town.
The historic center of San Remo, known as La Pigna (meaning “the pinecone”), is a medieval district with winding, cobbled streets, arches, and staircases, with narrow alleyways, and charming piazzas, (central square) there is a lot to see here and we would have liked to explore more, but finding some food was our top priority.
Most places seemed to be closed but we eventually found somewhere in one of the nearby piazzas, that was just on the verge of closing where we had a traditional Italian meal of Lasagna and Cannoni and of course we had to find a proper Gelateria and sample some local ice cream, mission accomplished its back to Ospedaletti, our bed for the night and some time spent planning tomorrows journey, when we slowly start heading back in the direction of Benidorm.
Road Trip 2024, day 8 accommodation - Residence Dell'Angelo, Ospedaletti, Italy - 75€ with FREE parking.
The owner was very friendly and helpful and showed us to what was a large apartment, with kitchen, dining table, large double bed and a more than adequate bathroom and more importantly for us a balcony.
This would be the perfect place to stay during the summer months to explore this area.
The only problem we had was the fact that Italian electrical sockets are actually different to Spanish ones, and we could not plug the laptops in to organise our next nights accommodation, and both batteries would not last long, that being slightly stressful we probably did not spend as much time as usual planning the next day, but we did book our next nights sleep in a medieval village, so that was something to look forward to.