Monte Carlo

Monte Carlo…Monaco…same thing, right?

I am not positive, but I believe the following is correct.

The principality of Monaco (part of France, but independent of France) is made up of three areas…the Port, Monaco-ville, and Monte Carlo.

Monaco-ville is the area on top of the hills. The oldest part of the principality, it is where the palace and most of the places of interest to a tourist are. (To join us in old town Monaco, Monaco-ville...click here.)

Aside: Have a look at Wikipedia’s article about Monaco. There is an old aerial photo of Monaco-ville which really gives one a visual understanding re the wise strategic selection of this location for the palace/ fortress.

Monte Carlo is on the lower level, the Mediterranean Sea level. It is here we find the famous casino.

The Port is between the other two areas. In the next photo we catch our first glimpse of the port as we leave the the train station.

Hint: Click on any photo to enlarge it.

So...welcome to Monte Carlo.

We were introduced to Monte Carlo during our tour on the little tourist train.

The whole country seems to be built on numerous levels so I am glad we were on the train (instead of walking) as we chugged up and down several long incline hills.

Following some of the same route as the Grand Prix Formula One race cars made me appreciate the skill those drivers have!

But now we are  on foot and exploring the waterfront and the exclusive (expensive!) shops.

And there is the elegant Hotel de Paris, Monte Carlo.

 When I win my first lottery I shall stay a few nights here! Until then I can dream and wander into the public lobby area. (The hotel has an excellent website which allows you to take a virtual tour of this five star hotel.)

Right next door to the hotel is the casino…ah, the casino. You know, for many years (as a child) I thought a casino named Monte Carlo was the only building in Monaco. Perhaps this is what has led to my mental confusion about Monaco/Monte Carlo. But I digress…

there is the exterior of the casino.

(They were setting up for an outdoor concert…hence the scaffolding, etc in the foreground.)

We would be amiss if we did not enter the casino, so in we go. Our cameras and shopping bags have to be left at the coat check (no charge) and then we are free to wander through the small slots room and the huge elegant atrium which serves as the lobby for the opera house which is part of the casino building.   If we had wanted to go into the games room it would have cost us twenty euros (as one guide book I read says you have to pay for the privilege of losing your money.) After 8 pm we would have had to been more formally dressed too!

For me the atrium (and the WC) were enough to quench my desire to see the casino which was designed by Charles Garnier…yes, the same Garnier that built the Opera House in Paris.

Re the WC. I had read about the elegant marble bathrooms in the casino so of course I had to check them out. The one I found was in the lower level, just off the atrium. It was elegant, quite small, had lots of marble, very modern technology such as automatic sterilizers and automatic seat cover changers,  and I would venture to say faucets were made of gold (or a very good replica of gold!).

The casino was a “must see”, even if only to be able to be part of the history of the place.

However, leaving the casino we were more intrigued by something we saw outside than we were by the inside of the casino.

Yes, that is a Lamborghini.

(There are quite a few expensive cars around the casino!)

So glad we had a day to spend in Monaco on the French Riviera.

 

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Happy travels!