Villefranche / Monte Carlo / Nice

[Umbria lover]

Our plan is a bit less ambitious, but I still have a question: We'll be tendered at Villefranche, and plan to take the train from Villefranche to Nice, then come back to Villefranche in the afternoon to wander around. From what I've gathered reading this thread, it doesn't seem like there's a lot to see/do in Nice (and we'll be there in December), so - should we just stay in Villefranche? And if we do go to Nice on the train, is the train station in Nice centrally located? Thanks for any info or advice.

[Hlitner]

We think that Nice is a wonderful city and offers a lot to do anytime of the year. There are some excellent museums, the Promanade is always worth a stroll, and the old town area is a special place full of shops, cafes, restaurants...not to mention some interesting morning markets such as the famous Sunday Flower Market. Although it is certainly possible (and quite easy) to take the train from Villefranche to Nice, we prefer to use the local bus (it runs more frequently than the train). The bus is cheaper and the bus station in Nice (Gare Routiere) is much closer to the old town (our favorite part of Nice). That being said, the train station is more central to the main part of Nice so I am offering our preference rather than a firm recommendation. As to Villefranche, it is a cute coastal resort community that does become a bit quiet in the winter. I should also mention that Nice has some absolutely wonderful cuisine and we will sometimes make it part of our daily itinerary so I can satisfy my craving for their unique fish soup or some excellent Moules et Frites (mussels and french fries).

 

Hank

[Umbria lover]

Thanks for your quick and informative reply Hank! It seems I do remember someone else mentioning the bus, and even posting a link, but I don't have the link now. We'll be there on a Wednesday so we'll miss the big flower market - which probably doesn't even happen in December! - but we'd love to see the old town, so the bus sounds like the perfect choice. I'm sure someon onboard will be able to point us in the direction of the bus stop once we're in Villefranche. thank you again!

[CintiPam]

If you like art, the Chagall Museum in Nice is wonderful, designed to his specifications to resemble in the main area a simple cathedral with wonderful Biblical paintings. There also are two of his large stained glass windows. I have not yet visited the Matisse Museum in Nice, but I have read that it is very good as well.

 

I understand that the flower market in Old Nice runs every morning except Monday.

 

Hank, is it especially larger on Sundays?

[Hlitner]

There is a market at the Cours Selaya everyday, but I do believe that some venders do not exhibit on each day. During the summer it does seem like Sunday morning is a bit more lively. There is no flower market on Mondays, but I believe they do have an antique market in the same location. We have never been in Nice during the winter months so I really do not know if the market shrinks during those months due to limited availability of local flowers (they also sell imported flowers). The Flower Market (there are also food, spices, etc) does close by 1 pm so for cruisers this is a place to visit as early as possible. Keep in mind that this market is only a minor part of the old town which is full of interesting shops and restaurants.

 

Hank

[Hlitner]

I probably should add a clarification (before somebody else raises the issue) to my previous post about Nice market times. Some web sites will tell you that the Cours Selaya Flower market is open as late as 5 or 6 pm. While this is probably technically correct, we have generally noticed that many of the venders will pack-up by 1pm.

 

Hank

[Mombak]

While in Nice, we'll probably just see the Old Town and the Promenade. My parents aren't museum people and my father probably won't be able to walk too much (we'll probably just prop him up in a cafe and leave him while we go exploring. :p ).

 

The only other time I was in Nice, it seemed like a very nice place. The only place we didn't get to was the Old Town, hence why that's all we're probably going to do (besides, my mother will LOVE the little shops).

 

Umbria Lover: Keep a lookout for us and say Hi if you see us (we're on the same cruise as you). It'll be my parents, my wife and I, and our three year old girl -- can't be too many groups with that combination! :)

 

As for your Villefranche decision, I've heard that Villefranche is a very charming place (the beginning of "An Affair to Remember" was filmed there). You could do something similar to us and just go to Nice to see the old town and than head back to Villefranche to wander. Villefranche will be smaller and quieter, so perhaps it'll be a nice wind-down from the busier Nice....

 

If there's time (doubt it), we'll be wandering a bit in Villefranche after Nice.

[Umbria lover]

Mombak, we'll be on the lookout for you and your family! Our plan is to spend the last hour or 2 in Villefranche - esp now that I know about the connection to "An Affair To Remember"! Since we've heard the ship sometimes departs before the listed time, we thought it would be safer to be in Villefranche in the late afternoon!

[CintiPam]

There is a market at the Cours Selaya everyday, but I do believe that some venders do not exhibit on each day. During the summer it does seem like Sunday morning is a bit more lively. There is no flower market on Mondays, but I believe they do have an antique market in the same location. We have never been in Nice during the winter months so I really do not know if the market shrinks during those months due to limited availability of local flowers (they also sell imported flowers). The Flower Market (there are also food, spices, etc) does close by 1 pm so for cruisers this is a place to visit as early as possible. Keep in mind that this market is only a minor part of the old town which is full of interesting shops and restaurants.

 

Hank

 

Thanks, Hank, our port day in June in Monte Carlo was on a Monday, so we did not want to bother with the antiques market, but visited the Chagall Museum before going up to St. Paul de Vence.

 

We look forward to seeing the flower market on our port day next mid-May. Luckily, our ship, Oceania Regatta, will be in Nice port in the AM and then move mid-day to Monte Carlo, not leaving there until 11 PM, so to me, we get the best of both worlds, arriving right in Nice in time to go the Cours Selaya while the flower market is open, and then can bus to Eze and end the day in Monaco.

[BiggiB]

Dear Varalycka

Yes, it has been a while since I checked the message board and found your message only today.

Whow, Grand Prix weekend is a totally different issue in Monaco ... the town will be overcrowded, noisy, but exiting! Most shops will be open, it is absolutely "high season" for everybody in MC.

There are various options to see some of Monaco, despite most of the inner city is blocked for the GP race track:

Have a walking tour in Fontvieille in the morning, see the Princess Grace Rose Garden, stroll through the Fontvieille port with its incredible display of luxury yachts (especially on that weekend!), take a walk along Cap d'Ail coastal path.

Museums in Fontvieille, worthwhile a visit: The Top Car Collection (rather the garage of late Prince RainierIII), the Money and Stamps museum and the Marine museum.

While the races are on, the crowds are not so bad, since everybody is watching, so take a city bus, which is running from Place d'Armes to the Casino gardens / Office du Tourisme. The Casino gardens are closed to the public, since the race track is right there (incredibly noisy), but take a walk along Boulevard des Moulins with its beautiful shops all the way to Place des Moulins. There's an elevator going down to the beach front. Within easy walking distance you find the Hotel Le Meridien or Hotel Monte-Carlo Bay for some nice drinks on their terraces or gardens, or try the Forum Grimaldi (Zelo Bar/restaurant). Nice to visit, too: The Japanese Garden.

Opposite Grimaldi Forum, there's the NMNM (New National Museum of Monaco) with seasonal exhibitions in a beautiful Belle Epoque villa and small gardens.

Best thing that weekend: People watching --- this is simply incredible.

One more hint: The hotels along the race track and the Casinos are closed to the public, except for the people with entrance tickets to view the races from there.

Don't take a bus tour to Nice or Eze on your own that day, I strongly advise. Traffic is horrific and cars and busses are blocked from entering the city at a certain time in the afternoon, to permit the thousands of cars and transfer busses to get out of town after the races. Trains might be a possiblity traveling towards Nice (or Beaulieu, Villefranche or Menton), since most race fans get into town in the morning and out in the afternoon, just contrary to your possible schedule.

Again, I forgot, maybe you are interested to see the Grand Prix?! It's a very good opportunity for all fans of car races. Tickets can be obtained in advance from http://www.acm.mc, the Automobile Club. The Grand Stands nearest to Fontvieille, since you have to walk anyway, are tribunes V,W, T and L, or even K. However, tribune B at the Casino Square is very spectacular for the views and you can get there with the local bus (see above). Don't be shocked by the prices; you can find more expensive places in Monaco that weekend at any time. Count this as a once-in-a-life-time experience.

 

If you want to leave Monaco instead to tour the surroundings that day, a ship's tour might be recommandable, since they will always wait for their own busses, if they stuck in traffic or can't get to the tender boats in time.

 

If you ship stays overnight or into the night, take the opportunity to go to the Casino Square in the evening, when the race track is open (local busses run in the evening as well, taxis might be a problem). The collection of sports cars doing their "corso", the people in town for dinners and drinks ... people watching at its best.

The Casino is open in the evening again, too, as is the Moods Bar below Café de Paris or the trendy Black Legend lounge in port.

 

If you have further questions, just send me an email directly to travel_design@libello.com. Have an exiting 16 May 2010 in Monte-Carlo!

Regards, BiggiB