MONACO AND MENTON

August 2007. This is the fifth and final article in the series on the French Riviera.

Zipping along the Upper Corniche highway toward Menton one morning, we saw the exit for Monaco, and although it was a rare cloudy day we decided to spend a few hours in this tiny, ultra-rich principality, tax haven, and site of one of the world’s oldest and most prestigious automotive events, the Grand Prix de Monaco. It has reputedly the world’s highest proportion of car owners: besides Rolls Royces and Mercedes everywhere, I even saw ... (more)

locations - Monaco & Menton

the royal palace
… in old Monaco Town. Parts of it are open for visitors to tour....

in the palace courtyard

a member of the Guard ...
… who perform ceremonial drill periodically for the tourists.

Old Monaco Town ...
… is more like a village with narrow, winding streets, with signs...

Monaco is surrounded ...
… by France. Under the terms of its independence, it must be ruled by a...

Monaco's access roads ...
… from France's middle and upper corniches, which skirt it, are...

Monte Carlo on a foggy day
It just oozes wealth, glamour, culture, and highbrow class. We would...

the view from Eze
Here's a completely different interlude. Eze is a tiny perched village on...

Menton -- Bioves Park downtown
Several acres in size, in mid-Winter it becomes the showplace for the Citrus...

'Moby Dick'

'the Lorelei' ...
… entered by Baden-Baden, Germany. The Lorelei was a mythical maiden,...

'Fishermen' ...
… that year’s entry from Cannes.

'your friendly ...
… neighbourhood giant octopus'. My wife standing in the foreground...

'lighthouse'

'playful swordfish'

'dolphin acrobats'
Now that must have taken some incredible amount of imagination and...

Better duck right NOW!
They’re coming straight at you.

a curious seahorse

City of Menton's entry ..
... 'mermaids and dolphins'. Here they are frolicking in their...

Menton's entry, closeup

There are some things ...
... in life that you just can't improve on -- so why try?!

article published 08/31/2007

Comments

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Thanks for your informative article on Monaco! I learned quite a bit about this amazing small country that I hope to visit one day.
— Ben Hsu, December 24, 2007

Thanks so much for these fabulous photos, I really enjoyed them! Good to know, the fruits are given to charities, afterwards, too!
— Eleanor Robb, October 4, 2007

The wet, rainy days of Vancouver are getting harder and harder to appreciate with each article you write. Thanks for reminding us that there is sunshine at the end of a dreary day of rain. Oh to dream...
— monica foell, September 21, 2007

- Another delightful article and pictures - Thanks, Fred. gives me incentive to travel some more!
— Barbara, September 12, 2007

Now I don't have to go there...or any other place where Fred Perry has photographed and provided commentary. I enjoyed "being there with you". Thanks Fred
— Digger, September 7, 2007

Hi, Fred: Wonderful photos, as well as the balloons. The article was most informative, many thanks for all the work you put into these. I had a wonderful time at Merlanie's, spent 5 days there. Now back to routine. Take care. E
— eleanor, September 5, 2007

Lemonischious
Thanks Fred. That is a lovely collection of photos. It is interesting to read about Monaco and it's unique status in the world. The palace is gorgeous.
— Nanci Phelan, September 4, 2007

This is one of the most beautiful areas I can think of, and I have visited over 50 countries. The architecture is magnificant, the old small towns are charming, the food is excellent; and the profusion of flowers, (and mountains bordering the coast) is simply breathtaking.
— Uta Behrens, September 1, 2007

Oh grandpa. These are absolutely beautiful.
— Sarah, September 1, 2007

I could live there in a heartbeat! Beautiful pictures, Dad. Thank you!
— angie, September 1, 2007

Color
Wonderful color and wonderful article, thanks for sharing. Michael Durmus
— Michael Durmus, August 31, 2007

I doubt I'd like Monaco. That much wealth throws me off balance or comething, makes me feel like a country bumpkin LOL.. I Sure liked the citrus floats though, esp the dolphin one.
— Lorraine Brecht, August 31, 2007

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