Ever since last year, I have been wanting to come back and spend more time here. Luckily, I had the chance to do so and check off something on my bucket list... the Monaco Grand Prix!
Roquebrune-Cap-Martin
Located about 30 minutes outside of Nice, this is easily one of the most quiet and beautiful towns I have explored thus far. 5 nights was not enough time here!
Where to Stay
AirBnBs are the way to go here. There are a few hotels in the area, but you'll get more bang for your buck with a local host. I HIGHLY recommend this AirBnB due to the views alone, and the fact that I could walk across the street and take a dip in the ocean. It was also easy to walk into town and to the train station.
Where to Eat
Madame Bleue - This was probably my favorite meal here. Blame it on the first day high, or the stunning view, but everything I ate was delicious. I highly recommend making a reservation here - especially if you want to be seated close to the water.
Restaurant L'Hippocampe - located right across the street from my AirBnB, this was once again a great restaurant - especially for the view. I liked their extensive menu - especially because I could choose my own coursed meal for 30-49 euros, which ended up being cheaper than ordering them separate.
Ceto - Okay, so I don't recommend this place if you are on a budget. My friend and I like to try Michelin restaurants when we get together, and this place blew it out of the water. All we could keep saying was how insane the whole experience was. The views were 10/10, the food was 10/10, even the bathrooms were 10/10. I cannot rave enough about this place - granted for what we paid, it better have been worth it.
La Grotte & L'Olivier - Once again, another great place for the views of the Mediterranean! I do not recommend taking the train in and walking up to the restaurant because it is located in town, which is perched way up the mountain. Safe to say that we got out workout in to and from dinner. Instead, you can drive a car up here or figure out how to use the bus.
Solenzara - This would be a fun beach club to lounge at during the day, but we just came here for lunch. A bottle of wine and some good food later, we were tipsy on our walk back to our AirBnB.
La Fanal - Honestly, this place was not on my list when I was planning my trip, but I was starving coming back from the Monaco Grand Prix (will discuss this at the end of this post) and desperately needed a drink and some food. The views and the food did not disappoint.
What to Do
Beaches - Plage due Buse was the only beach I lounged at here. It is located right between Monaco and Roquebrune-Cap-Martin. So, on Saturday, I could hear the F1 cars during qualifying and the waves crashing. It is a rocky beach, so be prepared if you are used to sandy beaches.
Day trip to Monaco - With it being an 8 minute train ride, you can easily take a day trip to Monaco. I only went on race day for the Monaco Grand Prix, which I will discuss later, but there is still a lot to do and see in Monaco.
Day trip to Menton - This was on my list since it was only 1.5 miles from where I was staying, but I did not have enough time to visit. I could see the church tower and the colorful homes from my AirBnB patio, so it is safe to say I will be back to explore this town in the future.
Nice
Where to Stay
There are some hotels in Nice, but in the two times I've visited here, I have gone the AirBnB route and it has not disappointed. The only thing I will warn you about it that there are a lot of stairs with both the AirBnBs I have stayed out, but the view from this apartment was well worth the climb.
Where to Eat
La Cucina Nice - Our dining experience here last year was so good that this was my only requirement when coming back. As mentioned in my Girls Trip 2022 post, they do not take reservations, so arrive early in order to secure a table. We waited for 1.5 hours, and everyone said it was worth the wait. PLUS Leo was my waiter again and I had to show him our picture we took together last year. If you dine here, trust me and get the truffle pasta and the sangria.
Le Plongeoir - An absolutely stunning view of the Mediterranean. It was definitely a bit pricier than La Cucina, but the view of the sunset was well worth it. If you are not able to get a reservation, try to go downstairs and sit right on the water for a drink.
Bistrot D'Antoine - This was on my list last year and we did not get to go, so when I saw this was around the corner from our AirBnB, I knew I needed to try it. It was listed on almost every other travel blog I read on Nice, and it did not disappoint - I almost loved it more than La Cucina!
Le Galet - This is also a beach club, which I will discuss later, but I highly recommend making reservations since it got pretty busy after 12pm. Try their truffle pizza!
What to Do
Beach clubs - This year we went to Le Galet beach club. Always try to get front row chairs so you can have a clear view of the ocean. Also, bring a towel, otherwise you will be charged if you need one.
Walk around Old Town Nice - Right outside of our AirBnB was a daily market with fresh produce, art work, flowers, and more. This area is also great to walk and get lost in the streets. You can find everything from souvenir shops, to local craft stores, great restaurants, and more.
Cannes
We did not actually stay here, but before heading to Nice from Roquebrune, my friend and I had lunch at La Guerite. To get here, you either need to take a ferry to Sainte Marguerite Island, which runs every hour, then walk about 10 minutes or you can request the restaurant to pick you up from Cannes on a private boat. This place is definitely pricy, but it becomes a fun club in the afternoon to dance on the chairs.
Pro tip - if you get invited on a boat by people you just met, think wisely about the plan - especially if their destination is a 2.5 hour car ride from where you are staying. My friends and I got invited on a boat and even though us girls enjoyed a beautiful sunset on our cruise to St. Tropez and I got to dance away with my girls, we ended up with a hefty Uber back to Nice at 3am. So, thank you to the willing Uber that took us safely back to our AirBnB.
Monaco Grand Prix
And now time for my favorite part of the French Riviera trip...
This is something that has been on my bucket list for 2 years now. Oddly enough, when I said yes to this trip, I did not realize that it was the weekend of this GP. Once I realized it, I declined starting the trip in Italy with my friends, and said I would meet them in Nice.
For the last 2 years, I said I was going to do Monaco the extreme way - either in a suite or in a yacht. I really didn't know if I wanted to full send it or be reasonable and get a grandstand, but after searching and searching, I decided to do what I have been wanting for 2 years and book a suite through Senate Grand Prix.
Was I worried when I wired the funds that it was going to be a scam? Absolutely. But, I was blown out of the water with the entire day. Other than being in the Paddock Club, I don't think there is a better viewing point then from the Albatross Roof Terrace. Not only were we above the grid a little back from pole position, but we had a view of the marina and we could easily see the podium celebration.
I am truly not sure how I will ever be able to top this day. It exceeded all expectations.
Things to Know Before You Go
Trains are SUPER easy to take! I use Trainline to book my tickets.
Try to make reservations ahead of time, especially if there are specific restaurants you want to try. The nicer ones will make you put a card down, to make sure to read their cancellation policies.
Most beaches are rocky beaches, so if you have sensitive feet like I do, then bring water shoes. I ended up with bruises on the arch of my foot :(
If you are going to the Monaco Grand Prix, I highly suggest staying east of Monaco. Most people stay in Nice since it is a bigger city, so less people were taking the train east bound.
If you are not going to immediately leave after the race, then hang around in Monaco as long as you can. The typical entry points for the train stations were closed, and we were re-routed around Monaco. And since the trains run every 30 minutes, you end up waiting awhile for trains if you are not one of the first in line.
Comments