- Air-conditioned and licensed round-trip transportation from outside your Monte Carlo cruise terminal!
- Admission and free time at the Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild art collection!
- Admission and free time at Le Musee National Marc Chagall!
- Admission and free time at Le Musee Matisse!
- Escape the cruise ship shore excursion crowds and enjoy the unique sights of Monte Carlo and the surrounding area!
Get out and explore of the French Riviera's most famous museums on a self-paced excursion complete with round-trip air-conditioned transportation from your Monte Carlo cruise pier Your driver will be waiting ... Read More
Get out and explore 3 of the French Riviera's most famous museums on a self-paced excursion complete with round-trip, air-conditioned transportation from your Monte Carlo cruise pier.
Your driver will be waiting for you just outside the terminal building. This is a small group excursion with a maximum of 8 participants. You will depart Monte Carlo, taking a short drive along the coast to the beautiful estate, Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild located in Saint Jean Cap Ferrat, approximately 30 minutes away.
The Venetian-style villa was built by Beatrice de Rothschild (the prominent French banking family), who had just separated from her husband, Russian-born banker Maurice Ephrussi. She wintered here until her death in 1934. She traveled the world and filled the villa with a collection of paintings, many of which are Old Masters, sculptures, objets d'art, rare porcelain, and richly adorned antique furniture. Upon her death, the Acadamie des Beaux-Arts inherited the villa and art collections with the instructions to open it to the public.
Arriving at the villa, your driver will point out the meeting point before giving you approximately 60 minutes of free time for you to explore the lower floors of the villa and the adjacent gardens. The lower floor rooms include the Porcelain, Chinese, Fragonard, Monkey, Tapestry, Directoire, and Blue Bedroom. The garden's themes include Spanish, French, Florentine, Stone, Japanese, Provencal, Exotic, and a Rose garden. Both the inside and outside of the villa are beautiful so do not forget your camera.
A 20-minute drive brings you into Nice's historic Cimiez hill district where you will stop for a visit at the Musee National Marc Chagall. Opened in 1973, it was a joint collaboration between the French Minister of Culture and the artist Chagall himself. Chagall created the enormous stained glass windows and mosaics specifically for the museum that you can see on your visit. The collection covers the full breadth of Chagall's output, with over 250 pieces from the original collection including the Biblical Message from 1966. You will have 45 minutes of free time on your own to admire the extensive collection.
Your route to the third stop will take you past the Excelsior Regina Palace, a hotel built in 1897 for Queen Victoria to winter in. The nearby Villa des Arenes, built in 1685 is now home to Henri Matisse's private collection. Matisse lived in Nice from 1917 until his death in 1954. The collection on display, while not his most famous works, were some of his favorites. You will have 45 minutes of free time to explore the Le Musee Matisse (Matisse Museum).
At the end of the visit, you will meet your driver for the 40-minute return drive back to Monte Carlo and your cruise pier.
5
