12 replies to this topic

[sofokles5]

im about to buy tickets for the general admission (rocher).

- i want some help:
- from people that have been at the rocher or know about the place.
- on how to move from nice to monaco (use my car or the bus-train etc)
- if anyone could suggest sightseeing would be great.

thanks

[Miketv]

Everyone says its really hard to drive in. It really isnt. Set off early aim to get there for 7am or something. Park at Jardin Exotique . You then have to walk down a series of about 200-300 steps but it is quicker than driving to the bottom of monaco also most of the car parks down the bottom end are shut off.

I have no experience of Rocher tickets sorry.

[speedman13]

Rocher is good to watch from as you can see the pits and also al the drivers as they walk from the paddock to the pits.
Only trouble is you have to be there the night before to get a good spot, if you arrive in the morning you will see very little.

[Galka]

Train is great - runs every half an hour, and it takes you around 25-50 min to get from Nice to Monaco.
Besides, you don't need to worry about not drinking after the GP.

As for Rocher itself - it does give a good view, but it's incredibly packed.
Try to arrive early, and bring lots of water and an umbrella with you.
The whole sector is right in the sun, and it's sweating hot.

Edited by Galka, 24 January 2011 - 06:10.

[IanRobinson]

The train service from Nice is great and probably the answer. The vomitories (strange word that) from Monaco station are close to the track.

Don't even think of helicoptering in from Nice airport (even if you have a stratospheric budget). We won a prize trip that included this in 2007 and stood on the airport apron in the sun for an hour and a half waiting. Our ticket was booked for 10.20 and we only took off at about 12.30 barely getting into viewing position in time for the race start. There were nearly punch ups it was so badly organized. The train would have been quicker and more pleasant.

Nice is brilliant if you're staying there. The old town (Vieux Nice) at the east end of Promenade des Anglais (the main beachfront) is full of narrow streets with unlimited bars and restaurants and ice cream cafes. The area behind the port and around Garibaldi square is also getting done up a bit. If you like fresh seafood go to the Torino on Place Garibaldi - the owners have their own oyster farm and offer about eight different cultivars of "zweeters" (huitres)/oysters. Let me know anyone want more info on Nice.

I'd like to hear more about watching Monaco from Rocher (the hill by the palace?). I went for a walk up there a few weeks ago when I was there on business and don't see to many places to watch from without rolling/falling down the rocky hillside.

If you're going - enjoy.

[pkenny]

I did Rocher in 2006. I was staying over and hour and a half away by train so only arrived at around 9am. I easily got a spot above the road that leads up to the palace area - most people were below, which was obviously nearer the last corner and not very shaded as was mentioned. Where I was was surrounded by trees. I could see best the swimming pool section (and a short bit of the run up to Rascasse) but could also see the cars coming out of the tunnel in the distance - could even see passes there. I could also see flashes of the cars on the main straight and just the roll bars going up the hill. It was a nice spot to be able to follow the race but no sense of really being near the action.

BTW, turn up on Thursday and the stands are very good value for the day. Did that too at the large stand at Tabac.

There is a bit of a crush getting the train home but it is very well organised.

[IanRobinson]

Thanks that's useful ... what entry/pass/tickets do you need for Rocher, where does one get them and what is the price? Is one allowed to take own food/drinks to this area? Are the toilet facilities on the walk up the hill (about halfway to the top) accessible on race weekend?

[Big Ed]

I'm going again this year. Grandstand M. Bought my race tix before I realized what has happened to airfares between the US and France... yikes.

Did y'all notice that the little grandstand E is gone this year? That was the little crazy one next to the chicane, after the tunnel. I miss it already 'cause it was one of the most absurd sights around the circuit. Adding to the absurdity: to get to it you had to ride a little motorized dinghy from the other side of the harbor. Hope it isn't gone forever like the grandstand that was once set up every year at the hairpin before the Loews was built.

Never sat up on le Rocher. All I know is that when I've been near it during practice sessions there was always a Brit up there with a megaphone, insulting the drivers and trying to be funny and put on his own show. It's funny for about 5 minutes...

[pkenny]

For Rocher there are GA tickets specifically for Sectuer Rocher. You can bring food, drink. Toilets are on the way up as you say.

[windsok]

Is there any need to book Nice-Monaco train tickets in advance? or can you just turn up at the station on the day with no issue?

Can anyone recommend a good grandstand to watch the race from for someone who has never seen the Monaco GP live before? Grandstand M is already sold out from what I can see.

Edited by windsok, 28 March 2011 - 12:04.

[halfbeat]

Can anyone explain how the GP2 support races go down... there's two GP2 races on the schedule for that weekend in Monaco... so is it the same guys racing twice or is it a different set of guys for each race?

Edited by halfbeat, 18 April 2011 - 14:26.

[DogEarred]

Is there any need to book Nice-Monaco train tickets in advance? or can you just turn up at the station on the day with no issue?

Can anyone recommend a good grandstand to watch the race from for someone who has never seen the Monaco GP live before? Grandstand M is already sold out from what I can see.

On weekdays there are trains every 20-30 mins (Sunday raceday there will probably be extra trains)
Just buy a ticket from the machines at Gare Nice Ville (or Nice Riquier if you're in the eastern suburbs) and it costs approx 10-12 Euros return from memory. They accept credit cards.
Tickets are valid for both the stopping suburban trains and the expresses to Ventimille in Italy, which normally stop at Monte Carlo as well.
Don't forget to punch your ticket in the machines before you go to the platforms.
Take the slow train if you have time (about 30-40 minutes, I think) as it is a magnificent journey along the coast.
The new station at MC is built in the rocks & you can exit right by St Devote corner.
(There are also buses/express buses from the bus station for 2/5 Euros single, but can be crowded & slow due to traffic. They can take up to 2 hours.)

Can't help you with grandstands as the only time I've watched the race was from the middle of Casino Square, where I could just about see the top of Ronnie Peterson's helment as he drove to victory.

We got in for free because a couple of guys set fire to a pile of newspapers next to an entrance gate & we rushed in behind the backs of the ticket guys on the gate as they tried to put out the fire. Saved loads of money but we didn't see much...

[Rob29]

Can anyone explain how the GP2 support races go down... there's two GP2 races on the schedule for that weekend in Monaco... so is it the same guys racing twice or is it a different set of guys for each race?

Same guys-standard pattern for all european F1 rounds-2 races one sat.afternoon after F1 qually.second race sun morning.Monaco you wil also get a F.Renault 3.5 race-no GP3.