Lunch break

Lunch break at the port of Fontvieille.

Monaco Yacht Club - the Champagne Bar

This is the champagne bar on the top deck of the new Monaco Yacht club.   Good-looking waiter included!

Horse before Cart (Car)

Horses come before cars as they cross the street in Port Hercule.  This beauty was in Monaco last month for the Show Jumping Championships.

The NEW Monaco Yacht Club - the Pool

Looking from the top deck of the new Monaco Yacht Club, we see the pool and on the car side of Port Hercule,  a cruise ship.  The yacht club is so like a cruise ship itself that sometimes it's difficult to remember it isn't!

The NEW Monaco Yacht Club

We're at the new Monaco Yacht Club today.  There is a restaurant on this level and another on the highest level.  As you can see, it's built like an ocean liner. See this POST.

The NEW Monaco Yacht Club

The new Monaco Yacht Club is finally open.  Looks like a cruise liner, doesn't it?  It had its grand opening on the 20th June with 3,000 guests including the Princely family of course. 

It was designed by the studios of leading British architect, Lord Norman Foster, in collaboration with Monaco-born architect, Alexandre Giraldi, and is the new headquarters for the Monaco Yacht Club (YCM).

It was a grey day when I took this photo, but a few days ago, I went there for lunch and the sun shone!  Next time we'll explore the building...  

Monaco Grand Prix - Not a Ferrari!

This looks a good way to get around Port Hercule at Grand Prix time.

The Port of Fontvieille and the Tunnel

This is the edge of the port of Fontvieille and the tunnel that runs under le rocher (where you find the Palace, the Oceanographic Museum and so on).  If you drive thru this tunnel you come to the main port of Monaco, Port Hercule. 

This photo is so typical of Monaco. Extreme beauty alongside roadworks, or massive cranes looming into the sky.

The Big Jetty

Today, we're on the top level of the relatively new 'digue' or jetty, which is where the massive cruise liners tie up. If memory serves, this structure was towed from Portugal where it was made.

Meanwhile, it's a good place to walk the dogs ...

Pressure Cleaning

Pressure cleaning the hull of a boat at Port Hercule.

The new Yacht Club de Monaco

The new Monaco Yacht Club, designed by Lord Norman Foster, looks not far from being finished.

Here is an artist's impression of how it will eventually look.  The new Yacht Club de Monaco is due to open this summer. 

Bateau Bus

The Bateau Bus - Monaco's best kept secret. For 2 euros you can cross the port and pretend you are in one of the luxury yachts. It runs every 30 minutes and is powered by solar energy.

How to Relax ...

Fontvieille Harbour

Too much technology?  It's always therapeutic to walk amongst the boats and look at the ever-changing patterns in the water.

The Christmas Village - Bored?

Bored? Tired perhaps?

The Christmas Village - Something for everyone

At Monaco's Christmas Village on Port Hercule there is something for everyone.  You can eat, drink, go on rides, buy gifts or simply meet up with friends for a good time.

Iced Over

Dusk over the swimming pool on Port Hercule which has been transformed into an ice rink for Christmas.  You see the yachts in the background and on the right is 'le rocher' where you find the cathedral and the palace.

Fontvieille Harbour

A part of Fontvieille harbour.  Yesterday was glorious.  Today - so far - rain. The buildings you see are on land reclaimed from the sea.  The rockface above is known as the 'Head of the Dog.'

Wibbly wobbly

Reflections at the port of Fontvieille.

Christmas Lights

Conversation whilst sorting Christmas lights for this restaurant in the port of Fontvieille.

Fishing for Rubbish

This young man isn't fishing but is clearing rubbish from the waters of Port Hercule.