There is no place on earth quite like Monaco. The principality is only 150 hectares in size, yet attracts the richest people on the planet, partly for tax purposes, partly due to the glamour surrounding the place. Ruled by the Grimaldi family since the 13th Century, Crown Prince Albert took over as ruler from his father Rainier III, who died in 2005. Albert is also the most well-known supporter of the local football team, AS Monaco.
Le Stade
Opened by Prince Rainier in January 1985, the Stade Louis II is more of a sporting complex than a football stadium. Based in the Fontvieille region of Monte Carlo, the 18,532-seater stadium encompasses an athletics track, Olympic-sized swimming pool, squash courts, and saunas, amongst other things. It is also one of the most unique stadia in France - designed to blend in with the surrounding buildings, each end boasts distinctive arches rising above the stands. The pitch itself is eight metres above sea level, and is built on the roof of the car park. Be aware that behind each goal, the stands are uncovered, so you will get wet if Monaco’s notoriously hot weather gives way to the rain.
The best seats to go for are the higher seats in the North stand as they give great views out to the sea, and the lower seats are usually taken by season ticket holders.
Getting there
Getting to Monaco from Britain isn’t easy. You could do as most of the local residents do and fly your private helicopter, but should you decide to leave the chopper at home, the closest airport is Nice International. BMI fly from Heathrow, British Airways fly from Gatwick, Heathrow, Manchester and Birmingham, and EasyJet fly from Stanstead, Luton, Gatwick, Bristol, Liverpool, Newcastle and Belfast. Once in Nice, you can get a bus, taxi or train to Monaco. The train is efficient - they leave Nice regularly, the journey takes only 20 minutes, costs around 6 Euros for a return ticket - but if you arrive at the airport you would need to get a bus to the main train station in the city centre. The best option is to take a bus directly from the airport to the Monaco. They leave at five minutes past every hour, tickets cost around 14 Euros and the journey takes about 45 minutes. The bus driver will ask you where you want to go in Monaco and will normally carry out a personal drop-off service.
If you opt for the train, you are in for a spectacular ride as the views along the coast are beautiful. Once at Monaco train station, follow signs to Fontevieille, and you can’t miss the stadium. Parking is limited in Monaco, but should you have a car with you, there are 1700 parking spaces in the car park underneath the pitch.
 Tickets
Monaco rarely fill up their stadium, so for smaller games, you can buy tickets on the gate. In order to be certain of a ticket, visit the stadium 5-10 days in advance, or phone the box office on +377 92 05 24 54. Occasionally tickets can be purchased online at www.francebillet.com.
Out and About
Although there’s plenty to do in Monaco, one of the best ways to pass time is to take a stroll around, admiring the Monegasques’ desire to show off their wealth. Go for a walk around the harbour, or, if you’ve got a few hours, along the route of the Formula One circuit. This can’t be done in a vehicle, though, due to the one-way system.
If you are in Monaco for two months either side of the Grand Prix – usually mid-to-late May – you will witness the gargantuan effort that the principality puts in to hosting the event. Grandstands are put up, roads are blocked off, and the place looks like one big building site. If you want to pay a visit at the same time as the Grand Prix, then make sure you book WELL in advance. Be prepared for prices to be hiked up for Grand Prix weekend too.
It’d be a shame to visit Monaco and not spend some time at the Casino, even if it is only to admire the beautiful architecture. If paying a visit, remember to take your passport, as they don’t allow entry without it, and dress smartly. There are four casinos, the main one simply called ‘Le Casino’, where you can play a host of games from blackjack to roulette, along with various slot machines. Entry is only allowed to those over 21 years of age.
The most famous café in the land is the Café de Paris, next to the Casino. Although it’s expensive, it’s worth taking a drink there to sit back and admire your surroundings. You’ll certainly be accompanied by the rich, and probably the famous, too.
Try going out on a tour of the surrounding sea on the Aqua Vision boat – it’s a glass-bottomed boat, and gives great views of the whole of Monaco from the sea.
Restaurants and nightlife
A meal at La Rose des Vents on the Plage du Larvotto is a great experience. It has its own private beach, and at around 20 Euros for a main course, is fairly reasonable by Monegasque standards.
www.larosedesventsmonaco.com
+377 97 70 46 96
If you want to try some local food, especially the famous barbajuan, go to Le Cyrnos on the rue des Roses. Food isn’t too expensive, and is served in a good atmosphere.
+377 93 50 82 60
If you want to go to a nightclub or bar, remember to have your passport with you – many places will turn foreigners away if they have no official form of identification.
One of the most popular clubs in Monaco is Jimmy’z. Located on the Avenue Princesse Grace, you’ll rub shoulders with some celebrities here, but cocktails cost around £20. Part of the nightclub is outdoor, so you can dance the night away in the open air on warm evenings.
+377 9216 2000
If you go to the stadium itself, there is a bar, l’Equipe, located behind the Cap d’Ail stand, which can get very full before games. After a match, many fans go for a night out to Stars ‘n’ Bars, on the quai Antoine 1er. Try and get there as early as possible, as it gets very busy at weekends. There is a main bar, with a club upstairs.
Accommodation
As Monaco is so expensive, a popular choice of accommodation is to stay in Nice and get the train to Monaco, which takes 20 minutes. However, should you decide to stay in Monaco, here are some of the options available to you…
Probably the cheapest hotel in Monaco is the one-star Hotel Cosmopolite. Rooms will cost around 60 Euros.
4, rue de la Turbie
+33 377 93 30 16 95
The Hotel Columbus is situated in the Fontvieille region, by the stadium. Built only in 2001, a room in this three-star hotel will set you back around 230 Euros. You can also enjoy the private beach that the hotel boasts.
23, avenue des Papalins
+33 (0) 4 92 47 24 72
If you’re feeling extravagant, or you’ve won a bit in next-door’s casino, why not stay in one of the world’s most famous hotels, then the Hotel de Paris? Rooms cost from 390 Euros in the low season to 2000 Euros for the night.
Place du Casino
+377 98 06 25 25
Did you know…?
In 1993, Monaco was admitted as a full member to the United Nations, despite having a population of only 20,000 – just 20% of whom are native.
|
