I will be in Villefranche-sur-Mer on May 24, 2008. I%26#39;d like to take a few friends to visit %26quot;the Rock%26quot; of Monaco for an hour or so that morning.
Regardless of how I arrive (train from Villefranche-sur-Mer, most likely), can anyone tell me whether it will be possible to make our way from the Monaco train station to the top of %26quot;the Rock%26quot;, or will the Grand Prix setup and crowds make such a journey impossible? For example, it appears that public lifts and escalators are not functioning during GP racing.
I do not intend to view the Grand Prix, although I am a racing fan. I just want to get to the top of the Rock and back to the train station in three hours or less on that day (and then leave Monaco by train for Villefranche by noon or so). Does anyone have an opinion (or experience) as to how difficult this would be?
Thank you.
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I would strongly advise you to forget it. Instead, you should go to La Turbie, from where you have bird%26#39;s eye view, looking straight down on Monaco and the whole ghastly chaos below you. You would probably need to go by taxi from Nice which would not be cheap!!
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LondonBob, thanks for your response. I can appreciate that it will be chaotic in Monaco on May 24. Unfortunately, it is the only day I will be in the area and I will have my wife and children with me. I had hoped for them to see the Palace and the Oceanic Museum. We have no interest in viewing any of the Grand Prix race events, even from atop the Rock.
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Check that these attractions are open on the 24th and what the opening hours are. Also, what time is racing that day. We were there last May right before the Grand Prix and the viewing stands were already up along with high metal barriers that obstruted the view of Monaco from the ramp that leads up to the Rock.
Agree that you should find something else to do. Even if you go early, there may be crowds on their way to their seats.
All public transportation may be crowded, so if you still decide to go, be prepared to hike the steep ramp to the top of the Rock.
Strongly suggest that you find an alternative plan.
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I don%26#39;t imagine that many people have been to Monaco during GP weekend without with express intention of seeing the GP (or at least a part of it!)
I would recommend that you contact the Monaco Tourist Office and ask them what you can and cannot do on 24/5. Sorry, don%26#39;t have their details at the moment but if you telephone or e-mail you will be able to do it and be answered in english.
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As a P.S. try contacting www.mctimes.com (an english newspaper about Monaco incorporated within The Riviera Times) or www.visitmonaco.com which is the website given on the official map of the Principality.
Bonne chance.
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I posted the original question and wanted to follow up in case anyone has a similar question next year.
Our cruise ship (Norwegian Gem) spent half a day (May 24) in Villefranche. Despite suggestions that we avoid Monaco on that day, we took a chance and traveled there by train from Villefranche (about 20 minutes, 4.8 Euros per person each way). We exited the Monaco train station on to a street that led directly to a stairway (long, easy to climb stairs) to the top of the Rock.
Although we couldn%26#39;t see much of the Grand Prix street course, we could hear the cars practicing. However, our main interest was in visiting the top of the Rock and for that we had no problems.
If anyone is faced with the same option in the future, my suggestion is that you go ahead with your visit, presuming you don%26#39;t want to see the Casino or race course. We thoroughly enjoyed our few hours on the Rock and it wasn%26#39;t very crowded.
BTW, there were plenty of race paraphernalia vendors in the streets outside of the areas accessible by ticket only. I purchased a Monaco 2008 Grand Prix shirt.
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So maxnest you went to Monaco at the time of the GP but didn%26#39;t go to it. But you bought a Monaco Grand Prix 2008 T shirt. Bet your friends will be really impressed when you wear it. (I bought a Polo shirt and I have never played polo in my life.Suppose that is just as fraudulent).
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Glad to hear that things worked out so well for you.
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