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Carpaccio, Villefranche-sur-Mer
French taste
... bars and cafés
..some covered completely by surrounding houses...
Good morning,
I will be taking a trip to Villefranche-Sur-Mer in June and had a few questions.
First, we will be taking a day trip to Monte Carlo, and I was wondering if I will be allowed to take my camera into the beautiful casino there? In America, cameras are not allowed in casinos. If I can't take my camera in, will there be storage so I can go in without my camera? Also, I am not rich... Am I going to look like an idiot if I go into the casino and try to play blackjack for 10 to 20 Euros per hand? I do not know the table minimums there.
Second, my girlfriend really wants to take a day trip into Italy, and I was hoping someone knew the best places to go that would still be close enough to VSM to go and come back in one day.
Thanks for all the help. I appreciate it.
Allan
Sorry, no cameras allowed in the Grand Casino. However, you can leave them at the desk.
As for minimums, don't worry. There are different rooms/sections requiring different minimums, and the main open hall is fine for the sort of bet you have in mind :-)
You could go to Genoa from VSM if you want. Distance is under 190 kms. From Monaco trains run to Genoa, Milan and Basel.
In summer you can rent motor boats with or without driving licence to cruise across this “ sparkling bay ” (contact .: DARK PELICAN ). If you prefer to be guided, the "Affrètement Maritime Villefranchois" (website in French only) offers small cruises. You can meet dolphins in the Mediterranean on half day cruises. If you prefer an original personalised cruise along the coast, a Turkish wooden caïque with 6 double cabins offers a day or week cruise (ELGIN).
It's not really "off the track", in fact this little town is very popular with the locals. When I was there on Saturday it was packed. It's a free beach and probably the nicest one for one that's free I've seen along the French coast -- such clear and clean water!
Good people watching... obviously the French hotties flock here :)
Also, tonnes of history if you feel like it. Museums, Roman fortress, churches..
Lots of nice cafes too!
It has been said " An eye is not an eye because you see it, it is an eye because it sees you."
Photographers understand the effect of the model making eye contact with you the viewer. An artificial construct of intimacy and relationship is created.
Cocteau uniquely exploits the graphic design of the shape of the eye - balancing cirle with curves, and the symbolic meaning of the eye -it is seeing you.
When you see eye to eye with Cocteau, you are on the same plane.
The next town east of Villefranche-sur-Mer, Sain-Jean-Cap-Ferrat is only 15 minutes away by car. It is located on a beautiful peninsula, Cap Ferrat, with scenic views of the Mediterranean and the mountains behind. Since the 19th century, the strategic location and relative isolation of Cap Ferrat has attracted some of Europe's wealthiest elite. Names associated to this day include Rothschild and King Leopold II of Belgium. Luxury aside, the village of Saint-Jean was once a small fishing village with an important port. While fishermen still exist today, much of the port and the town now cater to the luxury tourist industry. When visiting Villefranche-sur-Mer, consider hopping over to Sain-Jean-Cap-Ferrat.
Hidden away out of sight of the main village and the harbour is the tiny port, Villefranche Port Darse. I confess after two years of coming here I didn't know it existed until I read a rave restaurant review by Stephen Clarke, author of the recent "A Year in the Merde" (must read for thos who want to try to understand the French) of a little restaurant at the port called Le Cockpit , Having tracked it down, it was closed for the new year, however discovering the port was a real treat. Its lovely.
It can be reached by walking around the waterline of the Citadel. The length of the port is Oceanographic Institute of the Cote D'Azur, (Thinking back to my student days, I think I could have coped with three years of studying oceans on the Cote D'Azur. Its tough I know, but somebody has to do it) and a Marie Curie Research Foundation. There are also little spots to park a car, which is useful to know.
Another little gem is a hidden beach the other side of the Darse harbour wall - not visible from the town so only locals know it exists. And because of the Port regulations, there is a clean and well maintained free public toilet at Darse - a rarity in France and one which should win an award if such things existed.
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