A Weekend in Monte Carlo

You'd have thought the Monte Carlo Rally had arrived last Saturday. I was crossing the Place du Casino when suddenly four Rolls Royces drove up and parked outside the Hôtel de Paris.

But of course it wasn't the Monte Carlo Rally (that will take place on the 19 - 23 January 2011 and will celebrate the 100th year of this great event).

In fact, as the owner of one of these beautiful cars told me, they'd all driven down from the UK for a weekend in Monte Carlo.

Zen

The Japanese Garden in Avenue Princesse Grace is probably the most relaxing garden in Monaco. There is water everywhere, carp in pools, reflections, changing vegetation and it's cool in this heat. Lean on a bridge, look down into the water and go zen...

Marriage in Mind

The forthcoming marriage between Prince Albert and Charlene Wittstock is something everyone in Monaco is looking forward to. The big day will be July 9th next year. This shop on Avenue Princesse Grace is already getting ready.

Vanity Fair features Charlene Wittstock. (Click to view)

Learning Dior

Dior in Avenue des Beaux-Arts. This little one could grow up to have rather expensive tastes...

Cleaning up La Note Bleue

Almost 9 a.m. and it's clean-up time at La Note Bleue on Larvotto Beach.

Tour de France - Alberto Contador Wins!

Later today, the Tour de France will be over for another year as they cycle down the Champs Elysées in Paris. The winner - Alberto Contador. Last year in Monaco we saw his rivalry with Lance Armstrong - this year, with the courageous Andy Schleck.

These photos were taken one year ago in Monaco. Well done Alberto - another year, Andy...!

Pause

Nap time...

Tour de France Memories

Can it be a year ago that the Tour de France started in Monaco? It was the best fun and let's hope it comes back to Monaco one day.

Meanwhile, this year's tour couldn't be more exciting with only an 8 second gap between Andy Schleck and Alberto Contador.

This photo was taken at an exhibition of Tour de France paraphernalia held when the tour was in Monaco last year.

All that glitters...

A perspex sign outside a second-hand jewellry and repair shop on le rocher saying they buy gold, watches, etc.

Sign of the Times

Closed since 2006 this beautiful old hotel has an uncertain future. Renovation, demolition? One day we'll find out.

The Ancient Anchor

This stone Greek anchor was discovered in La Baie d'Anao (Beaulieu) and dates back to the 6th century BC. It's on display by the harbour where it was found - Beaulieu-sur-Mer.

The Sea Club Spa

Fancy a swim or a workout? This is the entrance to the Sea Club Spa and Fitness Centre that is part of the Meridien Beach Plaza Hotel on Avenue Princesse Grace.

Champagne and Succulents

Champagne bottles and succulents atop an old wine barrel on the pavement terrace of Wine o'Clock, a wine bar in avenue Saint Laurent.

Romero Britto in Beaulieu

This happy chappie welcomes you to the port of Beaulieu-sur-Mer. He was created by the Brazilian Pop Art artist, Romero Britto and given to the town in 2007. Do click on the link to read more about this fascinating artist and his charitable works. Prince Albert of Monaco is a collector of Britto's work.

Sass Café

A sight the nightbirds probably never see, Sass Café having its windows cleaned. Take a look at the website HERE or click to read a REVIEW of this trendy Italian diner and piano bar on Avenue Princess Grace - a favourite hangout of the F1 crowd and many celebrities including Brad and Angelina, and Bono.

Posh Frocks and a Pellagrino

Reflections in a dress shop window on Avenue Princesse Grace.

Footballers' Footprints - 2

Two of the greats - Maradona and Zidane. See yesterday's post for more details of the Footballers' Walk that runs along the back of the Grimaldi Forum.

Footballers' Footprints

Ignore the ladies' legs, ignore the hotel in the background - look DOWN and you will see brass plaques depicting famous footballer's footprints. If you haven't had enough of football, that is!

We are on the walkway running along the back of the Grimaldi Forum. This is the Champion Footballer's Parade. Take a look at the Golden Foot competition - each year a different footballer is chosen to have his footprints imortalised in a brass plaque. Click on Voting 2010 to see who is up for it. I see David Beckham is on the list.

On the left - George Best's footprint.

The Open Air Cinema

Tucked away in a corner of le rocher and next to the Oceanographic Museum is the open air cinema that shows films in English every night during the summer months. Films start at 10 p.m. and you can choose a normal chair, a more comfortable chair or a luxury lounger - you can order a drink too. We watch our films in comfort in Monaco! I've shown a photo of the cinema before but that was in 2007 so really this is for newer readers of this blog. It's great fun catching up with friends before the film starts and then sitting back and watching it under the stars.

Here's this summer's programme.

Fun and Games off Larvotto

It's that time of year again with the Med awash with luxury yachts. This is the Nero. In the main photo and the small one, she is moored opposite Larvotto Beach and in the last photo, she is near the entrance to the port of Beaulieu-sur-Mer.

Nero is 90.1 metre long (295.6 feet) and was built in China in 2008. She would cost you between 385,000 and 420,000 euros to hire for one week's fun and games on the Mediterraean.

Click on the link to see photos of this yacht's luxury interior.