Fontvieille pier

Atmospheric promenade
Atmospheric promenade

One of less known parts of Monaco, is Fontvieille – a big piece of territory, built on land artificially created on sea at the beginning of the eighties. One of its landmarks, is the pier, which spans almost from La Rocher de Monaco to the nearby port of Cap d’Ail, with the frontier passing in the middle.

Heliport approach
Heliport approach

In order to enjoy a walk spanning across the entire pier, it is necessary to bypass the heliport, with its landing approach half suspended over the sea, like a big plate with lobsters sticking over the edge of a table. You can get from here to the nearby Nice airport in 7 minutes.

Evening activities
Evening activities

The pier is popular with people walking the dogs, jogging, strolling and fishing. There are some benches here and there, where you can just sit and relax watching the sea, but in other parts there is a motorcycle riding school and a cage with obstacles for kids playing on skateboards. Recently a local firm has used one of the internal pier spaces, to create a successful oyster and seafood growing farm.

The philosopher's walk
The philosopher’s walk

For me, the nicest moment when to go there, is in the evening, at dusk, when the lights are being turned on, but you still see some clear sky to the west. The unique combination of beautiful light and the murmur of the waves are conducive to reflecting, as you walk.

“A Lovely Way To Spend An Evening” – Curtis Fuller