I traveled to Nice for a conference and when on I was looking at the map and searching for the best place for a hotel – somewhere, where I could go for a run – it hit me; I can do the entire coast, from the Italian border across Monaco and back to Nice.
The logistics is super simple. In Nice at the port, I got on the 100 bus that leaves frequently throughout the day on the route Nice – Monaco – Menton. It is a scenic route and the only downside to it was that it spoiled the surprise, as it directly passes via Monaco. You might easily miss it tough, as there is no border or any indication (that I could see). The fare is mere 1.3 EUR.
I couldn’t bother to bring a proper camera, so the quality of the photos is not great, I was using the Polaroid Cube.
The journey starts here, a square in Menton, just after I got off the bus 100.
Not knowing how the route look I headed directly to the coast and I was not disappointed. Great route to run, most of the way I was accompanied by local runners or strollers.
Here is I, equipped with the trusty Ultimate Direction vest and recording the journey on Polaroid Cube. A great run to come.
The first glimpse of the glamour of Monaco.
The entire route is a sort of urban run, but it completely avoids roads. It would be strange to not run it, in my opinion.
Finally Monaco. A veteran next to a Ferrari next to a Smart.
A beach in Monaco, a pretty damn fabulous place to pitch a tent.
On the initiative of Prince Albert of Monaco, the Principality has created The Sculpture Path, an outdoor gallery with about a hundred of works by internationally famous artists. This one caught my attention, it is a statue of the artist Anna Chromy; a faceless virgin in white marble, installed in the gardens of Larvotto.
The view from the royal castle over the Monaco harbor.
Port de Fontvieille
The outskirts of the miniskirt of Monaco; funny thing is, they have a ski club there. Who wold guess.
I decided to copy the coastline entirely and in this case it was a great decision. Cap Ferrat is a great place to run and, surprisingly, I was alone most of the time.
Once I left Cap Ferrat I could could take this panoramic picture of it. Later I found out via Wikipedia that the English songwriter Noël Coward referenced the Cap in his song “I Went to a Marvellous Party” with the lyric: “Quite for no reason/I’m here for the season/And high as a kite,/Living in error/With Maud at Cap Ferrat/Which couldn’t be right…” Cap Ferrat was named in 2012 as the second most expensive residential location in the world after Monaco. I am not surprised.
The route really continued to spoil me with a great trail.
Another detour to Mont Boron. Although the castle looks impressive from distance, there is not much to see upon a closer inspection.
The view from Mont Boron; I was getting close to downtown Nice again.
You can spot some funky restaurants around the coast.
The harbor of Nice, the end of a great day.
This is the route as I ran it.
