Monaco: We Came for the Curves, Not the Cars

Fiona Cook
Oct 26
4 min read

Monaco. Just saying the name sounds fancy, right? It’s one of those places that feels more like a dream than an actual destination — the kind of place where even the air smells expensive. Whether it’s the roar of Formula 1, the glamour of the casino, or a lifelong fascination with Grace Kelly, Monaco has this magnetism that pulls you in.

And for us? Well, it wasn’t even planned.

Getting There (A Classic “Look at the Map and Go” Moment)

We were in Marseille, looked at the map one evening, and said the famous last words: “That looks close enough.” Spoiler: it’s not that close.

So, we grabbed an early-morning train — 7 a.m. from Marseille (hello, 6:30 a.m. wake-up) — and rolled into Nice around 9:30 a.m. The ride itself was stunning: sea views, cliffs, vineyards — all very Riviera chic.

Now, most sensible people would have stayed on the train to Monaco. But not us. We decided to go full scenic-route mode and take the local bus. We trekked across town to Port Lympia and hopped on Bus #600. It costs around €2.50 and takes about 45 minutes, hugging the coastline the whole way.

It’s a ridiculously pretty ride, winding past Villefranche-sur-Mer, Beaulieu-sur-Mer, Èze-sur-Mer, and Cap-d’Ail — a greatest-hits album of Riviera beauty. You get sea cliffs, hidden beaches, pastel villages, and views that make you want to quit your job and move there immediately.

It takes longer than the train, sure, but if you don’t have a car and you love a scenic route (and a bargain), this is absolutely the way to go. Bonus: no Monaco traffic or parking dramas.

We did take the train back to Nice for speed — mostly because our feet had declared mutiny by that point.

Was it a big day? Definitely. We left Marseille at dawn and rolled back in around 8 p.m. But worth it? 100%.

Morning in Monaco: Palaces, Princes, and (Let’s Be Honest) Very Attractive Guards

We arrived in Monaco around 11 and headed straight up the hill to the Prince’s Palace to catch the Changing of the Guard at 11:55 a.m.

Now, I’ve seen a few guard ceremonies in my time, but this one? Easily top tier. The guards are impeccably dressed in their white summer uniforms, and let’s just say… there were no complaints about the view.

Afterwards we wandered through Monaco-Ville (the Old Town) — a maze of pastel buildings, cobbled lanes, and souvenir shops — and stopped by the Cathedral of Monaco, where Princess Grace and Prince Rainier rest. It’s peaceful and beautiful inside, a quiet moment away from all the sparkle below.

Lunch by the Water (and the Mystery “Beer”)

Once we’d soaked up enough royal charm, we strolled down from Monaco-Ville toward the waterfront and found Maison Gigi, a stylish spot with front-row views of the harbour. The food? French seafood at its finest — light, fresh, and perfectly paired with a crisp white wine.

Hayden, ever the adventurous one, ordered a “Monaco beer.” When a bright red drink arrived, his face was a picture. Turns out, a Monaco beer is beer with grenadine. Sweet, fruity, and quite possibly the least macho drink you can order — but surprisingly refreshing once you get over the shock. Probably more my thing than his.

If splashing out isn’t on the cards, you can always grab a sandwich or salad from the local market, but honestly — just this once, treat yourself. You’re in Monaco, after all.

Walking the Grand Prix Track (AKA Hayden’s Happy Place)

Post-lunch, it was time to walk off the seafood and tackle Monaco the sporty way — by walking the Grand Prix circuit.

If you’ve ever travelled with a Formula 1 fan, you’ll know there’s no escaping this. So, off we went, retracing the route of the world’s most glamorous street race. Hayden narrated each corner like he was auditioning for commentary duty. I smiled, nodded, and pretended I knew what a “chicane” was (ok i do know but that doesn't make a good story).

Along the way, you’ll see all the icons: the harbour full of luxury yachts, the famous tunnel, the Monte Carlo Casino, and enough supercars to make you question your life choices. And if you're curious about the casino but not quite ready to gamble away your gelato budget, good news—you can enter the grand foyer of the Monte Carlo Casino for free. It's all chandeliers, marble, and Bond-movie vibes, no chips required

Map of the Grand Prix track [here]—for anyone who wants to retrace our sweaty, slightly delusional footsteps and pretend they’re on a hot lap in hiking sandals

The Car Museum (Because Apparently We Needed More Cars)

Just when I thought we’d reached peak car content, Hayden spotted the Prince’s Car Collection. I’ll admit, I was sceptical — but it turned out to be seriously cool. Vintage classics, shiny race cars, and the kind of vehicles that make you say “imagine the insurance bill.” Prince Rainier was quite the collector, and it shows.

Final Thoughts (and a Few Fashion Observations)

Monaco is exactly what you think it is: shiny, glamorous, and completely over the top — in the most fabulous way.

Everywhere you look there’s a supercar, a superyacht, or someone who looks like they’ve just stepped off a catwalk. I swear I saw Charles Leclerc about six times, but apparently it’s just standard practice here for young men with sausage dogs to drive Ferraris in designer loafers.

We didn’t see any actual celebrities, but the people-watching was worth the ticket alone. Watching beautiful people step out of Aston Martins and onto their yachts, I couldn’t help but wonder: what do these people even do for a living?