This Monte Carlo shore trip visits the most popular coastal towns on the French Riviera, including Nice, Monaco, Monte Carlo, and Eze. Your driver-guide takes you to Nice's Old Town, the Palace and Cathedral in Monaco, the Grand Prix route and Casino of Monte Carlo, and the medieval hilltop village of Eze.
After meeting your driver-guide at the pier in Monte Carlo, you drive along the Upper Corniche to Nice. Once you are in Nice, you drive down La Promenade des Anglais, the famous palm tree lined street that parallels the most famous beach on the Riviera. You have free time in the old town of Nice to walk through the flower market, closed Mondays when a flea market takes its place instead.
Leaving Nice, you follow the Lower Corniche road, which hugs the dramatic rocky coastline, until you reach the hilltop medieval village of Eze. This pedestrian only French village is made up of tiny stone lanes and buildings, clinging to the cliffs over 1,000 feet above the sea. There is time to walk to the top of the town's hill, where a succulent garden offers views of the sea far below, and to browse the boutiques or enjoy an ice cream with a million dollar view. The van must be left at the base of the village for a walk up a steep hill into town; if that is not for you, the nearby Fragonard perfume factory is a relaxed alternative.
Later you visit the Principality of Monaco, where you have free time to explore the Old Town and see the Royal Palace, then stroll through the Cathedral where Princess Grace is buried. No bare shoulders or shorts above the knee are allowed inside the Cathedral. Next you drive the route of the legendary Monaco Grand Prix Formula 1 circuit, and your driver-guide points out some of the course's famous hairpin turns.
Your final stop is the modern city of Monte Carlo, home to the rich and famous, where high rise condominiums fill your view and the streets buzz with luxury cars. The Casino of Monte Carlo sits across from a park lined with designer boutiques and luxury hotels, and you are likely to see some of the world's most expensive cars parked outside, from Bentleys to Ferraris. At the end of this popular excursion, you return to the port of Monte Carlo. Along the way your driver-guide also stops at one or two panoramic viewpoints over the French Riviera.
The Casino of Monte Carlo is open to visitors for a guided cultural visit from 10 AM until 1 PM; this heritage visit currently costs around 20 euros per adult (cash or card, subject to change) and does not include gaming. From 2 PM onward, the casino is open for gaming to individuals rather than tour groups, with a formal dress code enforced. Everyone must be 18 or older and have a passport available.