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Published: October 4th 2011
Monaco's Marche de Noel
A Marche de Noel or Christmas Market, is held throughout France during the month of December. Monaco is its own country, remember, however they do share a common language with the rest of France, therefore also cultural preferences, like the Marche de Noel tradition. Here, just like any other, you can buy artisnal gifts, decorative arts and crafts as well as gourmet food items, seasonal food ingredients and snacks.Note: All events described in this entry occurred on December 26, 2006. For more updated trips and entries please refer back to this blog at a later date. Updated trips and entries will NOT have a note like this. thanks and enjoy!
Even though I was enjoying my trip to Cote d'Azur, I did lament a bit that I was unable to leave France in order to visit more of continental Europe as planned. However, I did manage to visit the small Principalite du Monaco during my fifth day of travel. My throat was still a bit sore, however thanks to my medicine my coughing had stopped. I also had more energy than on Christmas day so I felt it would be safe for me to go visit Monaco. I had always wanted to visit Monaco/Monte Carlo ever since I was a little girl. I know my mother always talked about coming here because of her love of the James Bond films, and To Catch a Thief which were filmed there but also because she was a fan of Grace Kelley, who became Princess of Monaco during her childhood. I also wanted to go here because of the famous
Children Skating
This rink was presumably provided by the city of Monaco as part of the Marche de Noel-couldn't help but to find this ironic, especially with the backdrop of the wharf with all tha yachts in it! L'Institute Oceanographique, which is the major center for oceanagraphic study worldwide. I have always loved the sea ever since I was a little girl and had a fascination for marine biology, so the chance to see this place was definitely at the top of my list.
I was recommended to take a bus from Nice to Monaco, which I did easily. The price was about 2 euros, and dropped me off right in front of the seaport. The first thing I did was get some lunch, which is where I got a thick chickpea crepe, known as socca, which is a very common snack food in Southern France. It's a lot thicker than your standard French crepe and has a crispy crust. It's also served differently because it is cut into long triangles and/or rectangles, and served plain. I paid about 2 euros for a serving of three triangles. It was one of my favorite European street foods actually because I loved how crispy and salty its exterior was in comparison to the warm, slightly gooey inside. I've never had anything like it before but I would recommend anyone in Southern France to try socca.
After finishing my
Vieux Port, Monaco/Monte Carlo
A view of the old Seaport in the heart of Monaco, where you can see lots of expensive yachts from all over the world! socca, I decide to take the time to tour the Marche de Noel (Christmas market) that was set up along the seaport. I plan on writing an entry that will contain more information on French Christmas and New Years customs, however for now I will give an explanation of what a Marche de Noel is. It is basically an outdoor market that is held throughout the month of December, where people can buy artisan goods and crafts that are local, domestic or foreign. Seasonal foods (traditional Christmas and New Years items commonly found on most French tables) are also on sale, like fois gras and champaigne, and snacks like vin chaud (mulled wine), hot chocolate, jus d'orange chaud (hot spiced orange juice), jus de pommes chaud (hot spiced apple juice), crepes, waffles and socca. For some reason I did not expect to see one in Monaco, however even though it was quite small there was a nice selection of decorative art pieces, clothing accessories, soap and other beauty products from all over Southern France and the world.
After my stroll through the Marche du Noel, I take some time to walk around the wharf. Behind the Marche de Noel,
Monte Carlo district
This is a little "park" I found behind the casino that is worth a stroll in I found especially for its eat-your-heart-out views of the Mediterranean. there was an ice skating rink, so I took some time to watch the families who using it at that moment. I then go past it and I admire all the fancy, huge and very expensive yachts literally with license plates from all over the world! I then make my way up the incredibly huge and steep hill up to look at the Monte Carlo district. On my way I pass by a row of international designer boutiques: Gucci, Armani, Prada just among them. I then pass by the old opera house and the famous casino, which is when the nostalgia of the James Bond films ,especially the ones starring Sean Connery, just hit me emotionally. I felt like I was on the set of one, and that any moment, he would show up in a limo with a very sexy lady at his side. I then went past the Hotel de Paris, which had a festive display playing an English rendition of "Walking in a Winter Wonderland" blasting through on loud speakers. I could see customers enjoying the cafes across the street, after all it was a lovely 60 degree F sunny day in Monaco-why not? I then make
my way back to the port area, where I decide to take a break at a local cafe and drink an espresso. I then decide to wander a few more streets and find the palace and l'Institute Oceanographique. I eventually find a towering array of stone steps carved and installed into another hill, which led to what looked like a walled city, which I assumed was Vieux Monaco. It takes me 10 minutes to walk up there, and I will admit that it was an intense climb because the steps were at a steep incline, however it was worth the trip.
I finally made it past the old Medieval walls, and found myself in a small plaza, facing the Royal Palace. After taking some pictures I walk past and decide to go down some small streets, looking in little shops and passing by cathedrals. I then find l'Institute Oceanographique and I pay the 12 euro entrance fee, which included my ticket and a souvenir book. I spent my last three hours in Monaco touring it. It's located in this huge yet very well designed 19th century mansion-looking building that hugs this cliff overlooking the Mediterranean. Inside, it is decorated
with stained glass windows, marble floors and staircases, and decorative art pieces made from marine animals. There are three floors: the basement is an aquarium that primarily contains fish and plants from the Mediterranean and other marine ecosystems. The first floor (according to French language custom as opposed to US/English language custom) normally has a temporary exhibit. For example when I was there, the exhibit was about the negative effects of global warming and also in memorium to Jacques Cousteau the famous marine biologist and also former president of the institute. The third floor, was dedicated to biological specimins collected by Prince Albert I, the founder of the institute back in the 19th century as well as an exhibit dedicated strictly to his story and the history behind his founding of the museum. Apparently oceanography was Prince Albert's hobby, and all of these specimens were collected by him, however he founded the organization in the hope of furthering this fairly new science at the time. I believe the institute was built around 1898 or so, and he continued on as president and developer of it until his death in the early 20th century. since then, the Institute has expanded, founding
a center in Paris and has continued its mission to further the field of oceanography. It holds community lectures and outreach educational programs, as well as funds academic research. It also makes sure to cement its dedication to being the center of oceanography by hiring the premier oceongraphers in the world, which is where Jacques Cousteau and others like him come to play. The Royal family is still involved; apparently Prince Albert II, Grace Kelly's son, has gone on an expedition recently to the North Pole region, like Prince Albert I did a century earlier. I must say in summary l'Institute Oceanograpique was the highlight of my visit for sure and was one of the best museums I visited by far while in Europe. If you have time to only see one thing in Monaco, see this!
On my way back to the bus stop, I decided to take a stroll through les jardins exotique (Exotic gardens) which featured plants from the Far East and Central Asia and also Pacific Islands. It was a really nice garden and I had wished I had more time, but unfortunately I had to catch the bus, which I unfortunately missed and forgot
where to pick it up. So I end up paying 2-4 euros for a train back to Nice. I decide to take a taxi back from the Nice Ville train station back to my hostel once I got back, which was a mistake because the driver got lost and charged me double what I was told by my hostel's staff. I told him I didn't have the entire amount; he gets angry but decides to go in, and makes arrangements with the hostel to include the taxi ride on my bill. Grumbling to myself privately I part ways and head back to my room. I was now staying in the double private room with bathroom ensuite because I got tired of staying in the 6 bed dorm alone with men triple my age. I just didn't feel secure with that at the time so I thought it was safer for me to move into a private room. I eat dinner at the hostel restaurant before bed-I believe I ordered pizza, called my mother and then went to sleep.
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