Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters Tennis

One of the incentives for stopping in Nice this trip is that the the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters tennis tournament is taking place almost next door, at the Monte Carlo Country Club in Roquebrune-Cap-Martin, France (which borders on Monaco).  The tournament was founded in 1896 and is one of the nine ATP Masters 100 tournaments on the ATP Tour.   Played on clay courts in a small venue, the feeling is intimate and friendly.

After a short train ride (changing trains in Monaco), we arrive in the temporary station at the country club.

Arriving

We have pre-purchased seats for a few of the courts and enjoy the beautiful day of tennis overlooking the sea.

Watching tennis

And, of course (we are in France), the Bar a Champagne is a popular spot during the tournament.

Bar a champagne

Views of the sea

What a great side trip!

Monaco

Just a short drive or train ride from Nice, the Principality of Monaco is another great place to wander, particularly Monaco City (Monaco-Ville), the historic old town city on a bluff extending into the Mediterranean.  Monaco City is the south-central ward of the Principality of of Monaco and contains the Prince's Palace, Saint Nicholas Cathedral, the Oceanographic Museum, gardens, chapels, and residences on narrow streets packed with tourists.

 View of the port from Monaco City

Descending from Monaco City, it's a short wander to Monte Carlo, the administrative region that contains the famous complex with the Casino, the Opéra de Monte Carlo, and Les Ballets de Monte Carlo.  Outside the Casino, are, pre-race, parked cars that will compete in the upcoming Grand Prix.

 

Grand Prix soon

Walking away from the Mediterranean, the streets and paths from the Casino lead up hilly, narrow ways winding around the modern city.

Up the hill in Monte Carlo, Monaco City across the harbor

There are stairs everywhere that provide steep shortcuts between the streets for those of us on foot.  Monaco is a great walking city and a fabulous day trip from Nice.

Wandering Around Monaco

As Laura and Jennifer head over to Roquebrune Cap Martin to watch the Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters, I decide to spend the day walking around Nice and Monaco.  I start by walking up the steps to Castle Hill, Colline du Château in French, about 300 feet above the city, for sweeping panoramic views of Nice and the Baie Des Anges (Bay of Angels).

To the south is the port of Nice, with a small fishing fleet, ferries to Corsica, and the occasional cruise boat.  To the north is the Promenade des Anglais, the famous walkway along the beach with grand hotels facing the Mediterranean, separate lanes for walking, skating, and biking and, of course, the beach.

 Views of Nice from Castle Hill

After walking around on top for a while and admiring the views, I descend, walk along Promenade des Anglais, and cut through the town to the Gare de Nice-Ville, the main train station, where I catch the TER to Monaco.  The Monaco train station is one stop before the Monaco Country Club station where the tennis tournament is being held and just up the hill from the harbor.

I head out of the train station and down to the harbor, but find my way blocked and diverted by the temporary fences, reviewing stand construction and other setup activities for the Formula 1 Monaco Grand Prix which has been held every May since 1929 (except during the Second World War) and, together with the Indianapolis 500 and the 24 Hours of Le Mans, forms the Triple Crown of Motorsport.  The race runs over a narrow course up and down the streets and hills of Monaco, with tight corners and the occasional tunnel.  Apparently, it takes several weeks to set up and tear down for the event, which is about 6 weeks away.

 Setting up for the Grand Prix

 The reviewing stands (and start and finish lines) are being built at the harbor and I tire of working my way around the turmoil and head over to Monaco City, the historical old town city on a bluff extending into the Mediterranean.  Monaco City is one of the four French quarters of Monaco and contains the Prince's Palace, Saint Nicholas Cathedral, the Oceanographic Museum, gardens, chapels, and residences on narrow streets packed with tourists.

 View of the port from Monaco City

I purchase a baguette sandwich from a shop in the narrow streets and sit in a park to enjoy my lunch.  However, I have company that wants me to share and I oblige, making a new friend in the process.

Please, sir, may I have some?

The stroll through Monaco City and lunch only take an hour or so and the crowds are large, so I head back down from the Old Town, cross the harbor, and walk up the hill on the other side to the Monte Carlo Casino, which is a large complex with a casino, the Opéra de Monte Carlo and Les Ballets de Monte Carlo.  Parked outside the main entrance to the Casino are race cars for the upcoming Grand Prix.

 

 On display outside the Casino

Everyone is peering in the cars and taking pictures (as do I).  Then, I decide to get some elevation and walk from the Casino up the hilly, narrow streets for a trek around the modern city.

Modern Monaco on the hill, Monaco City across the harbor

There are stairs everywhere that provide steep short cuts between the streets for those of us on foot.  But, it gets later and I'm now close to the Gare de Monaco-Monte Carlo and head over that way to catch the next train back to Nice.

Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters

The Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters is part of the tennis tour, played in April on clay courts at the Monte-Carlo Country Club in Roquebrune Cap Martin, France, next to Monaco. The Monte Carlo tournament was first held in 1897 and became part of the "Open" events in 1969.   This is the first major European tennis tournament in the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) Wold Tour Masters 1000

In 2015, Novak Djokovic was the winner and in 2016, Rafael Nadal, the 9th time he has won this title.

We stay in Nice and Laura and Jennifer take the TER regional train from Nice to the Monte-Carlo Country Club station, between Monaco and Roquebrune Cap Martin.  The TER drops them 600 meters from the entrance and only stops at this station during the tournament.  Walking to the station in Nice, we see a steady stream of players and spectators heading the same way.

The venue is intimate and the spectators are close to the action, with spectacular panoramic views of the Mediterranean.

The TER arrives

And stops right at the Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters

 Nestled between the hills and the sea in Roquebrune Cap Martin

                     Monfils                                    Rafael Nadal                  Good view of Nadal

                         Isner on the practice court                        Practice courts

                                         Tsonga                                               Nadal

  Practice courts are right on the Mediterranean

Match Play!  Great competition in the best venue!  And, if you can take a break and look away from the tennis, the Mediterranean is in the background

 The stands are small for an intimate experience

For lunch, a very civilized baguette sandwich and glass(es) of champagne.

 Lunch at the tournament

After a day of great tennis, it's back on the TER and a quick return trip to Nice.

We have dinner in Nice and pick up our luggage and head to the airport.  Our tennis doesn't end at the tournament.  At the EasyJet check-in line, we watch a player who lost to Djokovic (Laura and Jennifer's last match before heading back to Nice) try to change his ticket home (apparently leaving earlier than he thought) and negotiate the fees.   We feel bad for him, to be ousted and then have to pay more, but EasyJet is not as sympathetic.  A half hour later, we're checked in and heading to security, he's still discussing it with them (negotiations continue).