Monaco

Yesterday we visited Monaco, which we have been meaning to do for the past fourteen years.  One October we drove along the coast, but the traffic was so heavy we only got as far as Frejus, where we stopped and ate a very pleasant Sunday lunch.

This time we took the motorway, three hours there, with a half an hour stop for coffee, and two and a half hours back home.  An easy drive really.  

Luckily the badge now works in the tolls.  The problem turned out to be an unpaid account, due to the credit card expiry date having gone past its time.  So easily fixed when I went on line.  There was also an €11 fine, for causing problems. We were thankful on this trip because the queues were extremely long at each set of tolls.  Luckily we sped through in the express lane, saving quite a bit of time in the process. 

The drive down from the motorway, was long and very steep.   Not for whimps.  Bumper to bumper traffic too.

We managed to eventually find the entrance to the Monte Carlo carpark, after we had driven around the Monti Carlo Casino, trying very hard not to run over any tourists or smash into an expensive car.

The carpark, like the rest of Monaco, was immaculate.   Shiny floors, no oil stains and with an entrance that would rival any expensive hotel.

In Monaco there were no piles of dog poo, unpainted buildings or urine smells.   Makes a welcome change.

Once out of the carpark we were greeted by the site of the Monti Carlo Casino, built in the late 19th Century, which together with an excellent train connection from Paris, changed the small municipality into a  famous gambling venue.

Although we were hungry from our long drive, we were not tempted to eat lunch at this restaurant beside the casino.

The Hotel de Paris with a silver sports car parked outside.  It was difficult to get a photo of it, due to the number of people posing beside it.

The Opera House, a very ornate building.

Two cruise ships, too large to come into the harbour.  One was the Elizabeth II, and the other a Disney cruise ship.  We wondered if they showed non stop Disney moves on board the Disney ship.

We decided to try and find a reasonably priced restaurant along the foreshore.  But first we needed to go down in one of the many lifts in Monaco.  No need to climb up hills in this country.  We then walked along a very clean and shiny passageway.

A stop for a brief look at the harbour.

We found a restaurant, reasonably priced, and sat downstairs in a cool dining room. No view, but at that point we were looking for some peace and quiet.  Monaco, in August, is bursting its seams with tourists.   We chose the menu of the day, fish for Walter, and thinly sliced raw beef for me.  Both options were delicious although I could have done without the bowl of chips with my dish, as the beef and salad were sufficient.  Service was a little offhand but then the staff were busy.

We continued on around the port, with another old sports car to admire, then up a short flight of steep steps to the level above the street.

And far below us, we could see a swimming area, and wide steps for sunbathing on.  Well that avoids having to deal with sand getting into everything.  But the water looked very deep.  A notice stated that was to be no swimming in stormy weather.

We walked around the walkway, high above the sea on one side and an underground coach park on the other side.  And looking down we saw a very small stoney beach below.

And then in front of our eyes, rising out from  the rocks, was a most impressive building, the Muzee Oceangraphic et Acquarium.  I am not sure of the original function of this building.

So up we went in another lift, for a few floors, and then up in an escalator for yet another two floors, until we came out in the square beside the museum.  We were now in the old part of Monaco.

And just along the street was the St Nicholas Cathedral,  a very grand church but also very simply designed too.

The inside of the Cathedral was again both imposing but simple in its design.  There were cusbions on the pews.  Obviously comfort is important for the citizens of Monaco.  Prince Ranier and Princess Grace's tombs were at tbe back of the church.

The court rooms, the Palais de Justice , was a small circular building.  I think the people in front were admiring the building rather than waiting for their court appearance.  A very small courthouse, for the number of people living here.

At last the square, Place du Palais, in front of the Palais Princier.   The photograph below was taken looking away from the palace.

The Palais Princier.  The current ruler is Prince Albert II.   Monaco is a principality under the form of a constitutional monarchy.  The monarch wields immense political power.   The House of Grimaldi have ruled Monaco since 1297.   Of course there is much more information about the history of Monaco, but too much for this blog.  Wikipedia is a good point of reference to find out more.

The views from the  square were spectacular as the old town is high up on the cliffs. There were buildings and buildings everywhere, plus harbours and yachts and other large boats of every description.

Monaco is the second smallest and the most densely populated country in the world. The smallest country is Vatican City.

More buildings, and the motorway from Aix en Provence to Genoa runs along the edge of the hills at the back of this photograph.  High up.  And hundreds of tunnels.  We had to pass through 9 tunnels to get to Monaco.

We walked along the small and narrow streets of the old town, which was very peaceful too.

Then we caught a bus  back to the Monte Carlo Casino, and more importantly, our car park.   Monaco is riddled with underground carparks, in order to cater for the thousands and thousands of tourists who drive into the city each day.

We drove around the casino again, just for good luck.  But really it was due to missing the sign which said Nice, via the motorway.  We then drove back up the steep, winding road, where I practised my hill starts, until we reached the motorway and headed home for a light tea.  A truly lovely and interesting day.