Arsenal fans’ guide to Monaco

While our International Ground Guide is undergoing some maintenance, we thought we’d provide our usual service of advice and information for travelling supporters in brief blog form.

Once up and running again our ground guide will cover all manner of information from travel options to hotel advice, eating and drinking suggestions to practical tips on getting around, along with safety and security advice and anything else we think will be of use to travelling supporters. 

In the meantime, while the below might not necessarily have all the information you’ll be after if you’re heading out to Italy this week, we’re always available to help – just drop us an email if you have any questions.

We’ll do our best to find out what you need to know, either from our own vast experience in covering England and Wales games abroad, or from our friends at Football Supporters Europe.

Getting to Monaco

For most fans, the route into Monaco will begin either at Nice International Airport or the train station. Flights run from across the UK and Europe to Nice, which is around 25 miles away. There is a shuttle bus linking the airport with the principality – tickets cost €20 one way and services leave twice an hour. There is also a taxi rank at the airport, and if you choose this route ensure that the meter is running before setting off, to avoid getting fleeced. The train station is centrally located, and there are regular RER services to Nice and destinations throughout France and Italy. 

Getting to the Stadium

Taken from the AS Moncao English language website.

By Road – Highway A8 passes only 8km from the city centre and is easily accessible from France via Nice and from Italy via Menton. To reach the Principality, it is possible to follow “Basse Corniche” (N.98), between Nice and Monaco, along the seaside, the “Moyenne Corniche” (N7), through Eze-Village, “Grande Corniche”, passing through La Turbie and Col d’Eze at 512 m altitude. About forty car parks are at your disposal in Monaco, including the parking Stade Louis II, which offers you special rates on match days.

Train – The train is an effective solution to reach the Principality. An extensive network of TER can reach the Principality daily via Nice or Italy. The Stade Louis II is easily reachable from the Gare of Monaco, (train station of Monaco) by foot, by bus or taxi.

Taxi – Eighty-five taxis are at your disposal 24h/24h in the Principality.

Airport – The Airport of Nice Cote d’Azur links the Principality with the whole world. From the airport, the road network takes you from Nice to Monaco respectively 22 km within thirty minutes by car, bus or taxi.

Join Monaco from Nice in less than seven minutes? Only one way: the helicopter. The Monaco Heliport is close to the Stade Louis II.

Matchday Info

Arsenal supporters have been allocated Blocks G and H, while wheelchair access is via area B1.

Access to the stadium can be slow; there will be ticket checks and body searches at the entrance to the turnstiles; to avoid a last minute rush, get to the stadium early – doors will open at 7pm

In addition to items which would usually be prohibited in the UK, please note the following restrictions at the stadium: large amounts of loose change and lighters may be confiscated and are unlikely to be returned; no bottles and cans are allowed to be brought into the ground and alcohol is banned within an area of 500 metres around the stadium from 2pm on match day; flags and banners without poles are allowed subject to size; musical instruments are allowed

Visiting supporters will be kept behind for around 15 minutes after the match to allow the home fans to leave

Things to see and do

If you’re a fan of Formula One, then the sights of Monaco will likely be incredibly familiar – Casino Square, Loews hotel, the swimming pool and marina complex… for those of you of a non-petrol head persuasion, however, there’s still plenty to look at in the principality. Old Monaco, known as le rocher, is the medieval centre which is full of pedestrian streets, cafes and bars, as well as a number of the main tourist sites. Check out the Palais Princier (Prince’s Palace) and the changing of the guard at 1155 daily, and the stunning views of the port and Monte Carlo. 

There’s a cathedral, built in 1875, the Jardin Exotique (exotic gardens), as well as a number of museums and galleries to keep you entertained. Elsewhere there are boat trips to give you a different perspective on Monte Carlo, including the Aquavision glass-bottomed catamaran to give you a view of the local sealife. It’s also worth checking out the beautiful Opera House (Salle Garnier). 

And that’s before you get to the casinos of Monte Carlo. Dress codes and entry requirements can be strict – be prepared to have your ID on you to get into the Grand Casino, and there are entry fees that can range from €30-100+ depending on which rooms/games you want to try your hand at. Shirt and tie is mandatory. The other regular casinos are less strict and free to enter, but then don’t boast the splendour on offer at the Grand. 

In trouble?

The nearest consular assistance can be found at the British Consulate in Marseille. 

British Consulate
Address: 24 Avenue du Prado, 13006, Marseille
Phone: (33) (4) 91 15 72 10
Email: [email protected]