Monaco & Eze: Private Half-Day Tour with Perfume & Casino

Summary

Medieval Eze, Monaco’s glamour and scent-filled surprises

You’ll wind through Eze’s cobbled lanes with a local guide, sample scents at Fragonard Perfume Factory, pause for stories beneath Monaco’s palace walls, and trace Grand Prix turns in style. Feel both sides of the Riviera: quiet medieval corners and electric city glamour — plus hotel pickup makes it easy to just enjoy.

What’s the experience like?

I’ll be honest — I booked this private half-day tour from Nice mostly out of curiosity about Monaco’s famous glitz. But it was Eze that caught me off guard first. Our guide, Lucie, met us right at our hotel (she had that calm Riviera energy), and before I knew it we were winding up toward Eze, windows down, the air suddenly sharp with pine and a whiff of sea salt. The village itself is all uneven stones and bursts of bougainvillea — my shoes made this soft scrape on the cobbles as we climbed past tiny art galleries. We ducked into the Fragonard Perfume Factory for a bit; I tried to guess which scent was which (failed miserably — Lucie laughed but didn’t judge), but the real magic was in the way everything smelled faintly floral even outside. I still think about that.

The drive through La Turbie was quick — just enough time for Lucie to point out the hulking Trophy of Augustus perched above us (“Romans liked their monuments big,” she said with a grin). Then Monaco sort of appears all at once: sharp sunlight bouncing off white stone, yachts bobbing like toys below. We stopped outside the Prince’s Palace just before noon and caught the Changing of the Guard. It’s oddly quiet right before they start — then suddenly there’s this crisp clack of boots on stone. Didn’t expect to feel so moved by something so formal.

Walking over to Monaco Cathedral, there was a hush inside that felt heavier than any crowd. People left little flowers for Princess Grace; someone whispered her name in French behind me. The glamour is real here, but it’s layered with old stories too — not just casino lights and Ferraris (though yes, you’ll see those). And driving along the Grand Prix circuit? Even at our slow pace in a Mercedes van, you get this weird little rush imagining what it must sound like in May. If you want to go into Monte Carlo Casino itself, bring €20 cash for entry — I didn’t try my luck this time.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore Eze and Monaco highlights

• Visit medieval village of Eze
• Optional visit to Exotic Gardens
• Tour Fragonard Perfume Factory
• Drive past La Turbie statue
• View Prince's Palace of Monaco
• Watch Changing of the Guards
• Visit Monaco Cathedral
• Drive Monaco Grand Prix circuit
• Explore Monte Carlo Casino Square

Top questions

How long does this private half-day tour last?

The tour lasts approximately 5 hours including travel time from Nice or Villefranche-sur-mer.

Is hotel pickup included from Nice?

Yes, pickup is included anywhere in Nice or Villefranche-sur-mer.

Do we visit inside Monte Carlo Casino?

You can enter if you wish; entry costs €20 per person paid on site.

Are entrance fees included?

Bottled water and transportation are included; casino entry (€20) and Exotic Gardens (€8) are extra if you choose those stops.

Will we have a local guide throughout?

Yes, your certified guide accompanies you for the entire tour.

Is lunch provided on this tour?

No lunch is included; bottled water is provided during your trip.

Can I join from Villefranche-sur-mer?

Yes, pickup from Villefranche-sur-mer is available at no extra charge.

Are infant seats available?

Specialized infant seats can be provided if requested in advance.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup anywhere in Nice or Villefranche-sur-mer, private transportation in a luxury Mercedes minivan with bottled water on board, plus guidance from a certified local expert who brings each stop alive — from Eze village to Monaco’s palace square — all arranged so you can relax into every moment without worrying about logistics.