High up overlooking Monaco ..

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Is the Prince's Palace of Monaco

 

 

François Grimaldi

 

Francesco Grimaldi (François, in French) called il Malizia ("the Cunning"), was the Genoese leader of the Guelphs who captured the Rock of Monaco on the night of 8 January 1297.

In 1997, the Principality of Monaco celebrated the 700 year reign of the Grimaldi dynasty. It all began on January 8, 1297 when the Guelf François Grimaldi dressed as a Franciscan monk, seized the fortress protecting the famous rock of Monaco and the port of Hercules.

And the spectacular

 

Saint  Nicholas Cathederal

Cathedral of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception, also known as Saint Nicholas Cathedral, Monaco Cathedral ) is the cathedral of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Monaco in Monaco-Ville, Monaco, where many of the Grimaldis were buried, including Grace Kelly and more recently, Rainier III.

Linda and I had been searching for the burial place
of Grace Kelly and Prince Ranier for a few days ,
eventually we found it , yes the Cathedral, so
we climbed all the way up and guess what?

We could not go in .!!! There was a private mass
so it must of been the family inside !!
We could of returned the next day , but it
was race day and it would of been too much.

Linda was okay with it , had to be, unless
she was going to argue with the guard on the door!!

We were actually so happy that we made it up there, saw
the Palace and the surroundings , it is fantastic up there,
like a little village , had we known , we would of gone
up there, when we first arrived. ☻

 

 

 

 

 More to come
♥♥♥♥♥

Away from the crowds ,,

Whilst everyone was in a rush to get to the crowds.

Linda and I took ourselves off for a walk,

we would be amongst the crowds soon enough .

 
We continued  in Fontvielle
with a walk around the Sculture path.

On the initiative of the Sovereign Prince, Monaco has been enriched with inspiring works by internationally renowned artists. The  Sculptures occupy a special place in the Principality and many fine examples are strategically placed  in the streets, walkways and gardens so the public can admire and appreciate these important and valuable pieces.
 

 

 

 

We were the only people in this area, lots were down the steps in the shops and

restuarants but up here ..Only us.

 

 

 

 

 

All the photos of me  are on Linda's camera and unfortunately she
does not do a blog ,, keep trying to convince her .. !!

The statues are all around Fontvielle .....

 

Linda and I wanted to see as much as possible and do the Grand Prix

and even though we did see lots , there is so much more !!!

So we are now considering another trip!!!

 

♥♥♥♥♥

 

 

 

 Dreaming of France Meme ,,, If you are dreaming of France, read a book, got a story
to tell us or are just missing France, why not hop over to An Accidental Blog with
Paulita and join in her meme .. ♥

The start of our adventure to Monaco.

 

 

On Tuesday 21st May ,

Linda and I, left my mother-in-laws house in

North London at 05.40 to make our way

 

 

to Victoria Coach station to catch our coach

to Nice.

 

 

We arrived at 06.30am  ready to board at 07.30

after starting the day with a Cafe and Apricot croissant!

The coach was taking us from London to Dover
to catch the ferry to Calais!

 

Linda and I were going to the Monaco Grand Prix

Linda's first grand prix and my first to Monaco, we

were so excited.

 

 

 

 

I booked this trip with Select Motor Racing,

which is owned and run by Kevin.

I had not used this company before
but WE WILL be using them again. 

I did have a recommendation

which is great.

  

Along with Kevin , there was Louise and Darren (our driver)

who were both brilliant too.

 

Select Motor Racing is

 

Run by Fans for Fans

 

and they look after their clients

just like they would like to be looked after

on a tour ... Not just taken from A to B !!!

 

We were looked after from start to finish, 

 nothing was too much trouble!!

 

Here is a map of a route ...

 

=

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After leaving the ferry  at Calais ,
we made our way to Chaumont, where we were
making an overnight stop , with a 3 course dinner , wine and sleep !!
We stayed at  the Hotel Le Grand Val, who were very friendly,
we also stayed here on the return trip!!

 

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I have never been on such a long coach journey ,

and to be honest , it was not bad, We had

quite a few leg stretch stops, lunch stops and then the

overnight stop , and with such good company,

I really enjoyed it (and so did Linda)

My trip with Linda to the Monaco Grandprix 2013 ...

 

 Waiting for the train from Nice St Augustin

into Monaco on the first day,

 

 

 

Motor Racing

Ooh La La

Nice

Awesome

Cars Cars Cars

Oui Oui Oui

 

YOU have to go!!!!!

 

 

 

 

 

I have lots and lots of photos so I think will be posting for a while !