French Riviera–Views of Villefranche-sur-Mer

We woke up in our little hotel in Villefranche-sur-Mer and walked up to the roof and pool area for a view.  The skies were a gorgeous bright blue and it was  fun to get a look at the town without the overcast skies of yesterday. After getting ready for the day we headed along the Lower Corniche Road on our way to Nice but had to stop to take in a few breathtaking view of our cute ‘home away from home’ village surrounding both sides of the bay.  It was just gorgeous – what a fun place to stay. Blue skies and a scenic viewpoint is a perfect way for this girl to start the day.

 

French Riviera–Hilltop village: Eze

With Spring Break coming right up I’ve wanted to revisit our last year’s adventures and finally get them recorded… wish I was going back this year.   What a charming little hill top village this was!   Definitely one of the highlights of our French Riviera exploring. 

We left Monaco and drove on the ‘Grande Corniche’ (the highest Corniche Road) up to the base of the Eze village, parked and made our way up to the village entrance.  We met the Chugg family and talked for a minute before they headed out, and then took our time wandering through the uneven cobblestone lanes exploring the walkways, doors and stone buildings.  As we climbed higher, Monae and I took a picture of each new direction.

I just love seeing this group of kids together.  They are such good friends… and not just the oldest four who are becoming quite the pack… but Austin and Brianna are so cute with the little kids too.  Naturally they’ve adopted our kids since they are missing their little siblings.  Love all these kids.

An overcast view of Cap Ferrat jetting out into the Mediterranean Sea.

Oh my gosh, I love this kid.  Matthew – almost 4 years old.

Luke, just having a little break.  What a great place to hang out.

We were pretty hungry after a great afternoon in Monaco and Eze.  We headed into Villefranche to try and find a place to eat that would accommodate the 12 of us but instead decided to grab some really great pizza and eat it at the local park.  Chris and I just love a European 4 cheese pizza – and it’s also the cheapest way to feed a family in Europe.   The kids played at the playground while Chris and Aaron waited for the pizza and Monae and I talked. 

It was a busy day.  We woke up and walked around Annecy, drove through the Italian Alps to get to the French Riviera stopping in Monaco and then Eze.  Whew!  After pizza the Starbucks drove to their  hotel and we headed back to the hotel we were staying at in Villefranche-sur-Mer and checked in right next door to the Chuggs.  One more full day in the Riviera and we were going to take full advantage.

French Riviera– Off to Monte Carlo

After our morning in Annecy, France we headed further south into the French Riviera portion of our Spring Break. (Seriously, Spring Break’s from here on out are just not going to be the same.)  It was a beautiful drive.  We passed by the French Alps of Chamonix and then headed into Italy and along the coastline until we reached the country of Monaco. 

A few interesting facts about Monaco from Rick Steves:

• Since 1929, cars have raced around the port and in front of the casino in one of the world’s most famous auto races, the Grand prix de Monaco. 
• Two-thirds of its residents live here because there’s no income tax. 
• While “independent”, Monaco is run as a piece of France.  A French civil servant serves as state minister and manages the place – with the blessing of Monaco’s prince.
• While it’s famous casino provides only 5 percent of the states’ revenue, it’s 43 banks – which offer an attractive way to hide your money – are hugely profitable.
• Collectors snap up the rare Monaco versions of euro coins so quickly that many locals have never even seen one.

Monte Carlo is the area in Monaco around the Casino and is named for the local prince who presided over Monaco’s 19th century makeover… “Charles’ Hill”.  Today, Monaco has the world’s highest per-capita income.  The casino is designed to make the wealthy feel comfortable while losing money.  It was designed by Garnier (with an opera house inside) in 1878 who also designed the Paris Opera Garnier.  ‘The scene inside is great at night – and downright James Bone-like in the private rooms. 

Loved the tulips everywhere.

We got a kick out of these glass Casino doors.  We were so skinny!

The area around the Casino is really quite impressive.  Fun to see all the expensive cars lined up around the circle.

We walked from the Monte Carlo area down to the Port to see all the yachts lined up one after another.  We would have loved a tour inside of them – but from what we could see they were pretty amazing with full living rooms and giant TV’s. 

Oh, I was wondering where I could get super yacht insurance!

After walking around by the water we headed back up to where we parked our cars.   One last picture of Matt with Monaco in the background.  Fun to have been there!