Tender at Villefranche - Where To, Monte Carlo or Cannes?

In June 2017, my grandmother and I will be tendered at Villefranche. We have a couple of decisions to make regarding this port. We either want to go to Monte Carlo or Cannes. We prefer Monte Carlo, however I have read that Monte Carlo involves a lot of steps and walking. My grandmother is 70 and has no serious physical disabilities, but she does have to take it slower due to her age. Given this information, would you suggest Monte Carlo or Cannes? We are also wondering the best way to get to Monte Carlo and Cannes. A lot of people suggest buses and trains...but that makes me VERY nervous given that our ship leaves with or without us. I've looked into ship offered excursions, but they don't allow a whole lot of time at Monte Carlo...very short time frames. Suggestions?? I appreciate any advice!

Hi, It really depends on how mobile she is. I.e. my mum often has to use a wheelchair and I wouldn't attempt it with her.

That being said, most of Monte Carlo is reasonably flat apart from the stairs from the station. I only recall one main hill up to the casino (didn't go to the castle) and it was pretty quiet despite out ship being in that day. - plenty of local buses about which I'm sure would break the walking down a bit.

As for getting there, once you get off the tender at Ville Franche it is about a 10 min walk to the right and up a load of steps to get to the train station - they aren't the most even either.

You can buy your tickets from a machine or ticket office (times are on the SNCF website) and then it's about a 15 min train journey to Monte Carlo. Just watch the trains and leave plenty of time as we were waiting on two scheduled ones that never arrived. That being said we made it back to the ship in time.

Hope this helps.

Monaco has one of the best bus systems I've ever seen. Once you get to Monaco there are at least six lines I think and for somewhere so tiny, it's amazing. So easy to get around without walking once you're there.

Monaco is very easy from Villefranche as is Canne. I can't help you with Cannes as I've not been but for either;

Get off at the tender dock, walk out of the building and turn right, walk along the sea front and the train station is at the end up some steps probably about 40 ish steps.

You can buy train tickets there for either destination. Remember to validate your ticket by putting it in the little yellow machine on the platform.

Monaco is very hilly and there are steps but there are also public lifts. From the train station the marina, casino etc is down hill one way and the palace is up hill the other way.

Google toms port guides he has a step by step plan for both resorts with pictures and maps.

If you go by public transport aim to be back two hours before all aboard time, take extra money for a taxi just in case.

People on our explorer cruise last year paid 75 euro each way for a taxi to Monaco. We paid 6 euro each return for the train.

We found it very easy and not at all stressful or worrying

There are probably a bunch of port guides around on the internet, but I find one from Tom that is very detailed and can be searched for by using his name and port guides. Don't know if I can actually show the website, but give a search.

In June 2017, my grandmother and I will be tendered at Villefranche. We have a couple of decisions to make regarding this port. We either want to go to Monte Carlo or Cannes. We prefer Monte Carlo, however I have read that Monte Carlo involves a lot of steps and walking. My grandmother is 70 and has no serious physical disabilities, but she does have to take it slower due to her age. Given this information, would you suggest Monte Carlo or Cannes? We are also wondering the best way to get to Monte Carlo and Cannes. A lot of people suggest buses and trains...but that makes me VERY nervous given that our ship leaves with or without us. I've looked into ship offered excursions, but they don't allow a whole lot of time at Monte Carlo...very short time frames. Suggestions?? I appreciate any advice!

I wouldn't go to either, take bus to one of the beautiful hill towns such as Eze.

Unfortunately the other place would have been Nice, wonderful city very flat and lots to see. Maybe a possibility since you aren't going until 2017.

I wouldn't go to either, take bus to one of the beautiful hill towns such as Eze.

Unfortunately the other place would have been Nice, wonderful city very flat and lots to see. Maybe a possibility since you aren't going until 2017.

You want a 70 year old that has to take it slow to climb the hill to Eze?

Thank you everyone for your suggestions, but I think I need to clarify somethings. Although my grandma is 70, she DOES NOT have any physical disabilities. My only reasoning for mentioning her age is that she can't climb hundreds of steps and walk all sorts of hills. In addition, we DO NOT want to take a bus or train anywhere. I'm asking mainly about the towns/cities themselves...which ones are most enjoyable?? What are the best things to do there? Etc. Thank you!!!

Thank you everyone for your suggestions, but I think I need to clarify somethings. Although my grandma is 70, she DOES NOT have any physical disabilities. My only reasoning for mentioning her age is that she can't climb hundreds of steps and walk all sorts of hills. In addition, we DO NOT want to take a bus or train anywhere. I'm asking mainly about the towns/cities themselves...which ones are most enjoyable?? What are the best things to do there? Etc. Thank you!!!

So you're doing a ships excursion to get to the town? Your post asks the best way to get there yet you state in your last post that you don't want to take a bus or a train?

I don't find much to do in Cannes. I'd definitely pick Monaco. The Cathedral, the place, the casino, the aquarium. They're all very nice. Not much to see in Cannes besides yachts and they're better in Monaco.

If you want advice about excursions other than Monaco and Cannes then I would suggest St Paul de Vence which is our favourite spot on the Riviera.

Once we are tendered in, is there much to see and do in this port without taking an excursion?

Once we are tendered in, is there much to see and do in this port without taking an excursion?

Villefranche is pretty and there are some stores and some sea view restaurants but please venture out. It's a spectacular part of France. Just walk up the hill and take the Super cheap bus to Monaco. If you're a walker you could probably walk to the Rothschild estate which is lovely and has fabulous gardens.

I took a private shared excursion with people from our roll call. Our driver picked us up at the port. We went to Eze, Monte Carlo, St Paul de Vence and Nice.

Our driver was able to us off at lookouts that didn't require stairs based on our groups needs My favorite place was St Paul de Vence Beautiful village and lovely shops

I took a private shared excursion with people from our roll call. Our driver picked us up at the port. We went to Eze, Monte Carlo, St Paul de Vence and Nice.

 

Our driver was able to us off at lookouts that didn't require stairs based on our groups needs My favorite place was St Paul de Vence Beautiful village and lovely shops

You obviously have good taste ;) we've done three land trips to St Paul de Vence. Absolutely love it