The celebrations in France for Bastille Day were in full swing when I wrote this so I thought I would add my two cents by writing about a place that is very unique on the Cote de Azur, in the famous principality of Monaco

Logistically, Monaco is not considered a French city since it is ruled by it's own Prince and government….but still, Monaco, otherwise known as Monte Carlo, is on the very popular French Rivera, down in the South of France, so I'm going to bend the rules a bit by writing about a special place in this glamorous and exceptional part of the world.

Visitors come to the Riviera with their own ideas of what is important to see and do while they are there, the Princes Palace is usually on top of their lists as is attempting to "Break the Bank" in the Monte Carlo Casino, shopping on the clean, pastel colored streets where the famous designers shops and boutiques are located, that is, if money is no object.

If their visit coincides with the Grand Prix in the Spring the city can be quite intense but for racing fans, an unforgettable, one of a kind, experience But there are some quiet spots that provide views and sights that are amazing and for some, very unexpected.

A favorite place of mine is the Musee de l'Oceanographie one of the most fascinating aquariums I've been too, built on the side of a rock, which goes straight down to the sea, it is a must-see as far as I'm concerned...not to far away, if you go straight up, located along the side of high cliff that overlooks the most magnificent sights of the entire Principality, the shimmering blue Mediterranean sea and the rugged hilltops in another direction, is the Jardin Exotique of Monaco, ("exotic garden of Monaco") The Jardin was first founded by Prince Albert in 1902 when he brought some cactus back with him after his travels around the world and found this land and salt air was very conducive to growing these kinds of succulent plants. Some of these cacti are now considered the tallest in the world and are just breathtaking.

There are thousands of varieties from as far away as Africa and Latin America, some quite weird and wild looking. But don't get too close, those enormous cacti have giant prickly and very sharp thorns. When the Jardin was opened to the public in 1933 it was said that the first visitors couldn't believe their eyes at this strange collection of these exotic succulents and strangely shaped cacti. I have to say I felt the same way both times we were there.

But its not just cactus to see while up there since on the grounds is an underground Cave, (Grottes de L'Observatoire), where prehistoric man once lived, their remains found among this magic world of stalagmites and stalactites which line the curved walls, floors and in every direction you look, whether above or below.

There are guided tours available and though we went into the cave by ourselves we luckily found ourselves following one group whose guide spoke English! Then in 1955 the Museum of Prehistoric Anthropology was opened near the entrance to gardens where the collections of ancient relics and archaeological remains are displayed in these most unusual surroundings.

It seems those Prehistoric cavemen liked this area very well since remains have been found all over the region, some even in underwater caves, which I read about just recently. Back the gardens, the trails though the cacti lead to amazing lookout points with those panoramic views of the Principality and the Riviera all the way to Italy.

One visit we spent a week in the small town of Menton which was just one mile from the Italian border and just a moderate walk over the hill into Monaco, well, actually we drove, though we did see some energetic hikers doing what they do naturally, I guess.

There are buses that go up there and of course taxi's if you don't want to hike or have a car which is perfect for those who are on a cruise and have just a day or two in port. From up there you could see almost all of Menton and its beautiful harbor which seems to join the magnificent harbor of Monte Carlo with all those exquisite yachts bobbing in the azure blue waters.

Yes, the Jardin Exotique of Monaco is a very special, wondrous place with unusual and exotic sights which I recommend highly to anyone who is going to be visiting the glorious Cote de Azur in this most splendid region of the South of France.

The entrance fee covers your visit to the gardens, cave and museum at a price of: 6.90 euros for adults 3.60 for children, (6-12 and students) 5.30 for seniors, (over 65)

They are open every day except for Christmas and November 19, a national holiday, from 9:00 am to 7:00 pm in summer and till 6 in winter

Happy Bastille Day and Happy, Safe Travels

A few of my other related Riviera reviews for those interested.

Monaco and the Musee de l'Oceanographie
The Hillside villages: St Paul De Vence http://www.epinions.com/Saint_Paul_de_Vence
Eze Village: http://www.epinions.com/content_77958188676
Roquebrune Village: http://www.epinions.com/content_77404278404
A Nearby Town, my favorite, Menton: http://www.epinions.com/content_87338684036
A Great Hotel in Menton: http://www.epinions.com/content_89345265284

I'm going to take this opportunity to resurrect my French and English write-off and invite one and all to participate by writing reviews about anything to do with Great Britain or France. A book, perfume, movie or travel tale, whatever, all will be happily added…Just leave me a link in this comment section or e-mail me. Please leave a link to this review or a mention in your review.

My write-off last year and the year before were a huge success so I hope this one will be as well.

Merci Beaucoup


Annalin has the dubious honor of being first with her most welcome review of I occitane Cherry Blossom Eau De Toilette

Lindeisha had written a delicious review about a French bakery and cafe http://www.epinions.com/review/La_Madeleine_French_Bakery_and_Cafe_44824760/content_437304200836

carstairs38 has written a comedic book review set in England A Royal Pain

RobinLynn has written a tres bon book review about Paris hotels Paris Hotel Stories

Jiahong has written fragrant review about the Lavender museum in Provence Lavender Museum

Jiahong is back with a racially involved movie set in Paris La Haine Hate

A comedy this time from Jiahong starring French actors in Spain Delusions of Grandeur

My own review about a mustard fit for a king Moutarde De Meaux Pommery

Stephen Murray has written a movie review from the famed French directer Goddard My life to live

A book by one French Nobel prize winner about another in Stephen Murray's Notes On Andre Gide

A movie review by yours truly, Spiderwick Chronicles starring two British actors.

Reginafug has written about her great experiences flying Air France

Stephen Murray has come back with a movie review Life is a Bed of Roses

Stephen Murray has come back with an intriguing sounding movie set in part on the French Riviera Fogi Is A Bastard

Elvisdo has written about the British Columbia flag the flag of his Birth country

hpfan007 has written a review of a French movie The Diving Bell and the Butterfly

skbreeze has written a musical review of Bolling:Toote Suite a little avant garde French Jazz.

Since Sir Anthony Hopkins is so very British I'm adding his movie Slipstream

To this list of British and French reviews Stephen Murray has written a review about a Turkish family written in French called; The Calligraphers' Night

Stephen Murray has come back with a music review; Messiaen:Organ Music

Jurgrace has written a charming review of our favorite British Nanny Mary Poppins

Stephen Murray has written a movie review by English directer Derek Jarmon about the English Philosopher Wittgentein

cr01 has written a review about an outstanding artistic sight in Northern England by the artist Antony Gromley Angel of the North

telenor has written a book review about a totally British writer Jane Austin for Dummies

Stephen Murray has come back with a French musical Love Songs

Stephen Murray has written a movie review about brotherly love with a heavy theme Close to Leo

Pambo has written book about shopping in France,(a favorite passtime.:) Made In France

Le Domaine has written a review which tells a fascinating story filmed in locations all over Europe including France..The Enemy

Stephen Murray has written a review about a French novel Count de Orgel/Cutting Crystal

Lunatiger has written a travel guidebook review Let's Go France 2008

My own review about delicious Bonne Mamam Wild Blueberry Preserves

Stephen Murray has written a review about a really funny silly French movie Vie de Chateau

Stephen has come back with a review of one of my favorite French movies,Bon Voyage

Stephen is back with another review of a French movie I just have to see The Beat That my Heart Skipped

My own review of a French "new wave" film Dans Paris

cr01 has written about a "spirited" French find Gabriel_Boudier Saffron Gin

Stephen Murray has written a review about a movie I loved Moliere

Stephen has come back with a book of Paris Stories

Lunatigar has written a review about a great travel book Rick Steves France and Benelux

pmills1210 has submitted a British Documentary about Rock and Roll Young at Heart"

My review of a French mystery thriller Pact of Silence

ladyconsumer has written a review of an ensemble British film Black Cat Cafe

Lindeisha has come back with a delicious review of a French Country Restaurant

Smorg has submitted a review of a German Opera, Triston und Isolde performed in France

Smorg has also written a review originally written in French, Bruges-la-Morte Of love for the Living dead.

Steven Murray has written a review of Paris Je'Taime a most Parisian film

My review of a fine English soap Crabtree & Evelyn La Source soap with Shea Butter

Gaelkm has also written a review of Paris Je'Taime

ahh Paris! Coldsteel7 has written a movie review about both England and France A Good Year

covering both fine countries! My own review of a tres bon Orange Marmalade

A fine French Champagne Pommery Winter Champagne

Pilarzmom has written about a delicious wine from France Red Bicyclette Merlot

Gaelkm has come back with a tres bon review of a Love story in Paris Until September

Wilson0432 has submitted his touching review of The American Cemetery in Normandy

coldsteel7 has contributed a triple layer sweet review from England Frys Turkish Delights Chocolate bar

Stephen Murray has returned with a DVD from the Masterpiece theater about a quirky English family in My Family and Other Animals

My own review about a beautiful book The Markets of Provence

pmills1210 has written a review about a British album, Just Another Diamond Day

Stephen Murray has written a review of Best French Films

pmills has written a review about a movie with French and English connections /Chariots of Fire

Arkhaine has written a review of a novel by a famous French novelist
The Crime of Sylvestre Bonnard

My own review of The Flight of the Red Balloon a slow moving but beautifully photographed film

cr01 has written a review of a delightful garden to visit in the U.K, Cenfntilla Gardens

Stephen Murray has written a review about British artistic movie from Masterpiece theater Painted Lady

Gill of Gillandtony fame has written about a most elegant town in England, Bath

Kamel622 has written a review about a delightful little book from France, Mommy Hugs

Stephen Murray has come back with a classic New Wave French film
Les Enfants Terribles

My review of the English Pavillian in Epcot

Befus has written a review of the film Agatha Christie:A life in Pictures. I cant wait to see this one

Stephen Murray has written a review about a dark French film Les Doules and another movie Across the Bridge, written by English writer Graham Green with much of the cast from Great Britain as well

Stephen Murray is welcomed back with a book review about A classic English thriller Rogue Male

Carstairs38 has written a review about one of my favorite Hitchcock movies filmed in England, The Man Who Knew Too Much

Captaind has written a review of The Horses Mouth, starring one of best English actors Alec Guiness

Janke has contributed a classic French film Les Infants du Paradis,(Children of Paradise).

Carstairs38 has come back with a British Hannah Dennison Mystery he was not to fond of, A Vicky Hill Exclusive

cr01 has come back with a great musical entry from Great Britain, Honky Dory by David Bowie

Telynor has written about a very British Book: The Anglofiles;A Field Guide to the British

Telynor has written another very British story, The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society

Stephen  Murray has written about a film based on 3 classic stories by Guy de Maupassant in Le Plaiser

Stephen has come back with a film about the Mystery of Picasso

my own little review of a French comedy classic Jour de Fete

carstairs38 has written about Mr Monks trip to Paris in the Book Mr Monk is Miserable

Stephen Murray's latest is a collection of Movies with Alain Delon, my favorite French actor.

Two from Stephen today, this one is book with both English and French connections, Something to Declare: Essays On France

rkingfish has written a review about a movie with a French star that takes place in Rome, Three Coins In The Fountain.

Stephen Murray has written about a WWII, documentary Overlord

janke has written a review about a comedic French film thats and oldie but goodie Drole de Drome

Stephen has come back with a book about the great French  painter, Cezanne and Provence:The Painter in his  culture

My review about a great Crabtree & Evelyn's British shampoo
My review about a great French cosmetic by Lancome

Stephen Murray has written about film that's a classical French Farce

My  book review set in France about love and war, My French Wh*re 

Stephen Murray has returned with a French romance/heist movie, La Bonne Anne

Stephen has returned with a very British selection, David Lean's World War movie collection

My last review for this most fun write-off, at least for the time being,
Priceless, a Romp on the Riviera

Stephen Murray has written about another classic French film Earrings of Madame de

Ricardo Ramos has written a review about a fine English book  How Proust can change your life

Recommended: Yes

Best Time to Travel Here: Anytime