Monte Carlo Art of Southern France Excursion

Description

• 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 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.

What is included?

• 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

Excursion Notes

• Excursion prices shown are quoted in US dollars.
  
• As you may be visiting a religious or memorial site, shoulders and knees must be covered on men and women.
  
• We suggest you have cash (Euros) on hand for refreshments, excursion staff gratuities, shopping, etc.
• Sensible, rubber-soled walking shoes are highly recommended along with sun protection.
  
• Please pay attention to the restrictions and requirements for this excursion, no refund will be granted if the requirements are not met.

Where we meet

For this Monte Carlo Art of Southern France Excursion, you will meet your local excursion guide just outside your terminal building shoreside in Monte Carlo. All necessary details will be printed on your Electronic Shore Excursion Ticket.

Excursion Restrictions

• This excursion is not wheelchair accessible.
• Guests must be able to step in and out of the van.
• Guests must be able to walk on paved, gravel, and cobblestone surfaces, some on inclines.
• There are steps required to enter several of the sites as well as steep curbs in some areas.

Excursion FAQ

Cancellation

• Your ship arrives into port late and you cannot make it in time to the meeting location (we will verify with the tour operator).
• Your ship skips/misses the port.
• Weather conditions or equipment failure prevents the operator from running the excursion.
• A medical problem prevents you from safely participating in the excursion (we will verify with the excursion operator and the guest may send doctor's note). This applies to individuals only and not the remainder of the group.
  
• Cancellations/deposit refund requests that do not comply with the above may not be subject to refund.
• Refunds may be subject to a service charge fee as determined by the payment processor, please refer to Terms and Conditions for more information.