A set of stairs led down from “The Rock” where we had just explored Monaco’s Old Town and Monte Carlo Casino.  Below the palace is the Monaco Harbor full of expensive yachts and to the right, the starting line for the Monaco Grand Prix.  We had only a few moments before making our final stop in Eze so we descended down the stairs leading to the port.

Monaco is famous for its Royal Family, the Monte Carlo Casino and Formula One Racing.  The Monaco Grand Prix has drawn race fans to the country since 1929.  Known as one of the most prestigious car races in the world, this competition is one of three that make up the “Triple Crown of Motorsports” taking place over Memorial Day weekend.  Although the route of the race changes each year, the starting point remains the same.  At the base of the stairs descending from “The Rock”, we approached the race’s infamous hairpin curve.

The Circuit de Monaco is approximately 1,000 miles throughout the streets of Monte Carlo and Condamine which wraps around the harbor.  The streets of the race are very narrow and the turns quite sharp.  The most famous of the turns on the route is the Fairmont Hairpin turn, so named because it passes the Fairmont Hotel and is one of the most sought after locations to watch the race.  Spectators pay thousands of dollars to cheer on their favorite driver from this vantage point.

Due to the design of the street circuit, this race is considered one of the “most demanding tracks in Formula One,”  With its dangerous curves and narrow course, it is one of the most prestigious races throughout the world.  In addition to its challenging track, there is a tunnel that continues  below the Fairmont Hotel following the Fairmont Hairpin Turn.         

A short bus ride through the French Riviera brought us to our next stop, the coastal town of Eze.  Known for its highly acclaimed perfume industry, we visited the world-renowned Fragonard  factory.  The medieval town of Eze sits atop a large mountainous rock and is famous for its panoramic views as well as its beauty and charm.

Fragonard has been producing a wide variety of fragrances since 1926.   Our tour included a presentation of how the fragrances are made as we watched chemists make handmade soaps and lotions in a variety of scents for both men and women.

The factory also produces cosmetics and candles which are available for sale in the gift shop. In addition to purchasing a couple of candles, I found an amazing, fresh smelling scent that reminded me of a day at the beach.

I exited the gift shop into a charming courtyard, surrounded by fragrant roses used to produce the fragrances within the perfumery.  I took a seat wanting to sit under the warmth of the sun and gaze out into the Mediterranean, mesmerized by the waterfront scenery below.

While enjoying the sunshine and fabulous scents at Fragonard, I could see the village of Eze up on the hill.  This medieval town’s narrow cobblestone streets make it a wonderful change of scenery for drinking an afternoon coffee at the cafes and shopping its lovely boutiques.   The Path of Nietzsche originates at the coast at Eze Sur Mer and ends at the town of Eze, offering spectacular views of the coast along the way.

The drive back to Villafranche was just as spectacular as the rest of the tour. I sat at the back of the bus with a wide open window where I could see the magnificent coastline of the French Riviera.  The shades of blue darkened as the water met the coast.  The towns and people seemed like miniature toys as we climbed up hills towering over the crystal clear water of the Mediterranean.

Although this coastal drive is magical and mesmerizing, it is also a scene of tragedy and sorrow.   One of the most memorable tragedies was that of Princess Grace of Monaco.  As she was returning back to the palace from her vacation home, she suffered a stroke and lost control of her car sustaining life threatening injuries.  It was a sad day for Monaco as well as the world. She was 52 years old.

Within a few moments and we are passing through the popular, metropolitan port city of Nice.  This panoramic coastal drive takes us through the cornices of Basse, Moyenne and Grande.  Nice is most known for its scenic promenade, the Promenade des Anglais that offers a spectacular view of the waterfront.

Additional dramatic overlooks include Cliff Walk and the Fort at Mont Boron. Nice also has an Old Town, the Vieux Nice, where visitors can get lost in the maze of boutique shopping and local markets.

At last we have arrived back to port and I had wished we had more time in Villafranche.  I was drawn to the town’s laid back atmosphere and how it had maintained its character without succumbing to the typical touristy nature of popular port towns.    I learned that the beach here is preferred over some of the other French Riviera shores because it is quiet and more relaxing.  I had experienced an amazing day in Monaco and Monte Carlo and look forward to coming back for a peaceful day in Villafranche.

Have you visited the port town of Villafranche?  Did you take an excursion or explore this cozy port town?  I would love to hear about your adventure if you would kindly leave a message in the comments section below!  Many thanks for reading about my shore excursion to Monaco and Monte Carlo.  Happy Travels!

What to See and What to Do: 

Parfumerie Fragonard
158 Avenue de Verdun
06360 Eze France
Telephone:  33 4 93 41 05 05

• Admission Fee:   Free guided tours year around (book ahead by calling +04 93 36 44 66 or by email at tourisme@fragonard.com).  Guests may experience additional wait times if reservations are not made ahead of time.
• Hours:  Open daily from 9AM to 6PM
• Amenities: Perfume shop, lovely courtyard with beautiful roses
• Scenic View:  Gorgeous views of the French Riviera
• Length of the Tour:  Approximately 1 hour
• Tips for Your Visit:   Guided tours must be made in advance.   If you suffer from allergies, you may want to reconsider this tour.  Wait times may apply if advance reservations are not made.

Where to Stay:

Hotel Ambassador Monaco (affordable)
10 Avenue Prince Pierre, 98000
Monaco
Telephone:  +377 97 97 96 96

Fairmont Monte Carlo (luxury)
12 Avenue des Spelugues
98000 Monaco
Telephone:  377 93 50 65 00

Where to Eat:

Restaurant Le Pinocchio
30 Rue Comte Felix Gastaldi, 98000
Monaco
Telephone:  +377 93 30 96 20

I ordered the Salde de calamars grilles, fenoil,  oranges et huile parfumee a la vanille for 18 Euros.  It was the perfect lunch , although I would have also liked to have tried the Risotto “La Fee Bleue”, a risotto with Mascarpone and Parmigiano Reggiano cheeses, Liquour Cointreau 1849 and poire et pistache for 29 Euros.

What to Eat: 

• Barbajuan is the national food of Monaco.  Similar to an empanada, these pastries are filled with ricotta cheese and Swiss chard.  Some may also include added ingredients such as onion, rice, leeks, spinach and Parmesan cheese.
• Bouillabaisse, a fish stew.
• Fougasse, made popular by the Monegasque is a bread seasoned with sage, rosemary and/or thyme.
• The Galapian is a cantaloupe-cherry-almond tart
• Gnocchi is a potato based dough served with cream
• Pissaladiere is a French pizza topped with olives, carmelized onions and anchovies.
• Porcetta – stuffed pork roast
• Socca are street food pancakes/crepes

What to Read:

• Loser Takes All by Graham Greene
• A Ghost in Monte Carlo by Barbara Cartland
• I Kill by Giorgio Faletti
• Headhunters, by Jules Bass
• Anything Considered, by Peter Mayle
• Grace, by Robert Lacey
• Once Upon a Time, by J. Randy Taraborrelli

Photo Guide for Monaco: 

• Port Hercule for the super mega-yachts in the harbor
• Tete de Chien is  trail that takes you from the center of Cap d’Ail to the hills offering spectacular views of the Mediterranean Sea.
• Rooftop Terrace of Musee Oceanographique
• Digue de l’Avant Port where a pathway winds along the water’s edge
• Jardin Exotique for its gardens and cliffside pics
• The Observatory Cave is located inside of the Exotic Garden
• The Monte Carlo Casino for its elegant exterior
• Ride the Bateau Bus for gorgeous photos of the coast
• Monaco Cathedral for its beautiful interior
• Monaco-Ville, the charming old town of Monaco

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A view of the fort as seen from the tender

The port of Villafranche as seen from the ship