Tinbergs on Tour: Thursday, November 14, 2013 – Villefranche, France – Partly Cloudy

Distance from Barcelona to Villefranche: 276 Nautical Miles

Local Information. “Villefranche” means “Village with no tax” – that certainly is not the case any more. It is a major shipping port for France. Nice is a large city of about 500,000 people – the name Nice is an adulterated version of “Nike” (the goddess of victory) which is derived from the Greek word for victory. Nike became Nice. Eze is a medieval village perched on a jutting rock. There are ritzy stores and restaurants in Eze. The Principality of Monaco (ruled by the Italian Grimaldi family) is now under the reign of Prince Albert and Princess Charlene. There are four districts in Monaco – Monte Carlo, the Harbor, Monaco City (the Rock), and the new Industrial Area. There are 35,000 permanent residents in Monaco (along with 42,000 jobs – no one is on welfare in Monaco).

We are both up early because we are on tour – “Best of the French Riviera – Nice, Eze, and Monaco plus Lunch”. Villefranche is a tender port and the tender process proceeds very smoothly. The tender ride is very short

Tender ride to Villefranche

Villefranche from the Tender

and It is a short walk to the bus parking lot from the tender port, Our tour guide for today is Floriana.

Our first stop is world famous Nice (about 40 minutes away).

Along the way, we are shown the roadside memorial to Grace Kelly – the accident didn’t happen here but the memorial is placed here. The controversy over the cause of the accident may finally be over since Princess Caroline has recently revealed that she took the wheel of the car when Grace Kelly passed out (a stroke?) – this placed her in the driver’s seat at a time when she was too young (17) to be driving. I hope this ends the mystery.

Grace Kelly Memorial

As we wind our way over the hills to Nice, we get nice views of Villefranche

and our ship in the harbor

Equinox anchored in Villefranche Harbor

We also got a nice panoramic view of Nice from the hills

Nice (the airport is at the far left)

After a brief bus tour around the hotel area, we are let off for a walking tour of the old city as well as a little free time in the market place. The beach is not as nice as it was the last time we were here and much of that is due to the weather not being as warm.

I am well prepared this time – carrying two 50 Eurocent coins for the washrooms.

As I checked unsuccessfully for WiFi in Nice, I came across a bakery stand in the market place manned by a very friendly French woman. I simply couldn’t resist buying a whole baguette for the incredible price of 95 Eurocents.

I ate the whole baguette and would have had another but we are scheduled to have lunch later in the tour.

After our hour on on our own in Nice, I made my way back to the bus meeting point along the beach drive. From this location, I captured the monument (in the middle of the street) commemorating 150 years of French Nationhood. The monument always looks like it’s not finished and is waiting for the outer layer to be attached. I guess the rusted out look is here to stay – I do not recall the significance of the number of columns.

150 Years of Being French Monument

Across the street from the beach is a statue of what I am pretty sure is the Greek Goddess Nike (after whom Nice is name). Nike is also called “Winged Victory” and this statue has the requisite wings.

Nike in Nice

Stop number 2 is the Medieval Town of Eze. Eze is perched (or rather carved out of) a hillside. There are only about 20 (or less) inhabitants of this very posh village. The busses park at the bottom and the only way to get into the village is to climb. This will restrict the journey to the top to only the fittest of passengers.

Eze – the “Shangri- La” of France

The streets are narrow and uneven (cobblestones on the outside and bricks down the center) and slippery. Many of the passengers are unable to make the climb and stay at the base of the hill. I follow the passengers about 90 percent up the hill and I don’t find it all that strenuous although it is a steep climb. The town is wall to wall shops and restaurants. There are some houses and apartments and even one for sale. Pretty pricey, I am assuming.

Makin the climb in Eze

I head back down the hill to the Pinocchio Restaurant, where we are scheduled to have lunch. At the base of the hill, there is a very posh 5 star hotel – I check out some of the menu items – some entrees run about 99 Euros ($140). The Pinocchio will be much more reasonable.

Five star hotel in Eze

The Pinocchio Restaurant and it’s adjacent bar had WiFi but the router was weak and the connection tenuous. I think I was able to send out some brief notes.

The guide had checked with the restaurant about a veggie meal for me. The passengers had some chicken in sauce plus potatoes and some veggies. I had Pasta Pesto along with a nice salad – the pasta was pretty good but could have used a bit more sauce. We also had a tasty dessert and our table finished three bottle of wine – the Rose was especially good. The bread was also good. I did get a chance to meet the passengers – everyone loved the food.

Our final stop of the day is Monaco – the second smallest country in the World (35,000 inhabitants in a very densely populated place). Our first stop will be in Monte Carlo, where we will walk from the bus parking lot (where there are free bathrooms) up the hill to the Grand Casino. The guide tells us that French President Hollande is in town to meet with Prince Albert (what could they be talking about except where to go to dinner) so security will be high, Monaco Police will be in their dress uniforms, and traffic will be worse than usual.

A number of mobility challenged passengers give it a go but cannot negotiate the steep climb to the Grand Casino. They will be meet us at benches near the parking garage when we return. The Grand Casino is the epitome of conspicuous consumption and largesse.

Monte Carlo Grand Casino

I was unable to recognize the models of various cars (I knew the makers but not the models). Valets are constantly moving these six figure automobiles around the parking lot – maybe to show them off. I did notice one Honda Civic Hybrid (perhaps a tender for one of the big cars).

Fancy Cars and the other Casino

I decided not to go into the Grand Casino (no pictures allowed and they will take your phone if they see it). Instead, I plan to walk the grounds and check out the posh stores.

The Grand Casino has a number of reflecting balls and mirrors – Ellen and I both shot one of the reflecting balls – Can you tell which is which.

Check out our Reflections

The Casino location is also a good spot to take pictures of the rest of Monaco.

The Harbor District with requisite yachts and the small cruise ship is postcard perfect.

Monte Carlo (construction continues)

The District of Monaco City (perched atop “Le Rocher” - “The Rock”) is in view – this is the home of the Royal Palace, the Cathedral, and the Oceanographic Museum.

Monaco City

On our way back to the bus parking lot, I got a nice picture of the beachfront of Monaco (I was told years ago, that Prince Ranier had sand brought it so that the country could have a real beach).

Monaco beach front

The Monaco Grand Prix is held here and there are various road markings attesting to that – one interesting sign marks the location where all of the cars have to slow to nearly a stop to deal with the Fairmont Hairpin Turn.

Incredibly, everyone makes it back to the bus. Our final stop is Monaco City. We are going to park near the Oceanographic Museum – run at one time by Jacques Cousteau. In the courtyard of the Museum, sits the “Yellow Submarine” (same as the one mentioned by the Beatles?).