Royal Champagne Road: Chapter VIII - Monaco Royale
In 1956, 30 million people watched Grace Kelly become Princess Grace.
Chapter 8 of Champagne Odyssey · Monaco
The stops
- Cultural · Price: high Casino de Monte-Carlo: Where Bond Was Born James Bond's Casino Royale was inspired by this building. Monaco citizens are forbidden from gambling here - a law dating to the 19th century. Today, 29.2% of residents are millionaires.
- City · Price: low Grace Kelly's Monaco: Hollywood to Royalty In 1956, 30 million people watched Grace Kelly become Princess Grace. The "Wedding of the Century" was broadcast by MGM. Walk where she became royalty.
- Adventure · Price: very high Monaco Grand Prix: The Original Champagne F1 The Monaco Grand Prix is the only F1 race where the podium is on public steps - the royal family watches from above. Since Dan Gurney started the tradition in 1967, F1 podiums have featured champagne sprays. Monaco's tight streets and celebrity crowd make it the ultimate champagne-and-racing experience.
- Tasting · Price: very high Hotel de Paris: Celebrity Champagne Churchill, Cary Grant, Rita Hayworth - the guest list reads like Hollywood history. The hotel wine cellar holds 350,000 bottles. The bar overlooks the Casino square.
- Adventure · Price: moderate French Riviera Sunset Champagne The Promenade des Anglais at sunset, champagne in hand. The Riviera has seduced royalty and celebrities for 150 years. 29.2% of Monaco's population are millionaires - and they vacation here.
The story
James Bond's Casino Royale was inspired by Monte Carlo - where Monaco citizens are forbidden from gambling. 29.2% of residents are millionaires. Walk where Hollywood met royalty, find the royal box steps where F1 winners spray champagne over Prince Albert II, and toast sunset on the Promenade des Anglais where the Riviera has seduced wealth for 150 years.
Plan the trip
Insider tip Monaco Grand Prix (late May) is the ultimate but hotel prices are 10x normal. The circuit is walkable year-round. Café de Paris terrace has casino views at lower prices than the casino bar.
Getting there and around
- Car required
- No
- Parking
- Monaco parking is expensive and scarce. Nice has street parking but train is easier.
- Nearest airport
- Nice Côte d'Azur (NCE)
- Drinking and driving
- Monaco prices are extreme. Buy champagne in Nice and bring it.
- Without a car
- Train along the coast is scenic and efficient. Monaco is tiny - all walkable.
Where to stay
- Base yourself in
- Nice (cheaper) or Monaco (full experience)
- Why there
- Nice is 25 min by train, much more affordable.
- Booking tip
- Monaco GP week books out a year in advance at 10x prices.
- Nightly range
- €80-500/night
Recommended stays
- Budget
- Villa Saint Exupery Nice (€30-50 hostel)
- Luxury
- Hotel de Paris Monaco (€600+)
- Mid-range
- Hotel La Perouse Nice (€180)
What it costs
- Includes
- 3 nights, casino entry, tastings, meals
- Meals
- €20-40 lunch, €50-100 dinner in Monaco, €20-40 in Nice
- Per person
- €300-600
- Ways to spend less
-
- Buy champagne in Nice supermarkets (much cheaper)
- Café de Paris has casino views at lower prices than casino bar
- Nice Castle Hill elevator is free, stunning sunset spot
- Monaco-Nice train is €4-5 each way
- Tasting fees
- Casino €17, champagne €15-30/glass at bars
Booking and timing
- Lead time
- Hotel de Paris cellar: 1-2 weeks. GP tickets: 6+ months.
- Closed days
- Casino open daily from 2pm. Palace apartments closed Nov-March.
- Peak season
- Monaco GP (late May) is insane. July-August crowded and hot.
- Best time of day
- Casino: evening. Grace Kelly walk: morning. Sunset: Nice Castle Hill.
Where to eat
- Lunch
-
- Café de Paris (Casino Square) - €25-40
- La Marée (Nice Old Town) - seafood, €20-30
- Dinner
-
- Louis XV by Ducasse (Hotel de Paris) - 3 Michelin stars, €300+
- Le Plongeoir (Nice) - clifftop, €40-60
- Stars'n'Bars (Monaco harbor) - casual, €25-40
If your time is short
- Do not miss
- If you only have one day
- exp-royal-ch-016-casino-monte-carlo + exp-royal-ch-017-grace-kelly-walk - The casino and the wedding.
- If it rains
- Casino and Hotel de Paris lobby are covered. Save sunset for clear day.
- Skip if time is short
Mistakes to avoid
-
- Don't forget passport - required for casino gaming rooms
- Don't dress casually after 6pm at the casino - formal dress code enforced
- Don't overspend at Monaco restaurants - Nice is 25 min away and half price
- Don't skip the Grace Kelly walk - the human story is better than the gambling
Worth stopping for
-
- Casino facade: blue hour for the lit exterior
- Grace Kelly tomb: respectful, no flash in cathedral
- Promenade des Anglais: sunset facing west, Negresco Hotel behind you