DAVID GRIGORE

My wife and I stayed in Villefranche for a month. The woman who we rented the apartment from in the Old Town area of the city recommended we take a trip to see The Trophy of Augustus. There is so much history in this place, you can almost feel the generations over the eons brush past you as you tour the grounds. One of the coolest things we did was to take the steps up and actually stand on a number of observation spots to see just how grand and how massive this monument the the founder of Rome and the conqueror of the Apline people really was. It sits right above Monoco looking down into the harbor and out to sea. Truly spectacular vistas. On the way up you can also see Eze which is another spectacular place to visit, shop and eat. The Trophy also has a small museum, but it is well worth the time. Everything is in English and you can go through every small exhibit in about 30 minutes. It really helps put some perspective on how old this monument is, and what was entailed in restoring it partially. It is purposefully left partially exposed so you can see what was used to build it. We highly recommend you take the time to visit this out of the way experience. Stunning views are wrapped in history. A perfect combination for anyone who loves beauty and history.

Marvellous place, hidden Augustean gem in La Turbie. The museum is also very well structured, and the view is breathtaking. The woman working at the information point was gentle and very cultured. I felt emotional to come here, as an big fan of Ancient Rome.

An extraordinary place, well worth a visit. The panorama from there is breathtaking with views over the whole of Monaco. The monument itself is well presented and allows close inspection, you can even climb up to a high viewpoint.

Impressive Roman victory monument located in the hills just above Monaco in the medieval village of La Turbie, along the old Roman road, the Via Julia. It has been extensively restored in the early 20th century, with certainly photogenic results. The monument is located on a very strategic position, with wide views over coast and highlands. The history of the monument and it’s restoration are documented in a small but informative museum. Be advised that opening hours vary with the season (see photo). When I visited early on a Sunday morning I had the site practically to myself.

This is a ruin of a Roman centre. The French briefly reconstructed it to how it is now back in 1934. It’s €7 for adults, and free for under 18’s. I wouldn’t follow goggle maps directions as they lead you to a gate that is shut. Instead follow the signs to the trophy and there is a large air conditioned office in which you buy tickets. You can buy a combination ticket which is €16 for the Greek villa, but that is not local and around a 20 minute drive. You can climb the trophy and get great views. The stairs have handrails and the last few steps go round to take you up. There is a small museum which tells you the history of the trophy. The video is in French. Plenty of placards with information in different languages. Not much else to do except look at the trophy and small gardens surrounding it.

Good Roman era site of historical significance. However, most of it was plundered and destroyed. Lot of it was rebuilt in the early 20th century, not necessarily to exactly how it was in the first century as no one knows for sure what it looked like back then. The museum shows history but not necessarily easy to follow. Good to visit for 7 Euros if you are in La Turbie or Monaco. #11 bus takes you from Monte Carlo train station to the town of La Turbie.

Magnificent. Check out the views from the cemetery nearby.

Very cool Roman Trophy. Cheap fee to get in. Awesome history lesson. If you’re visiting on a weekday the only real way to get up to La Turbie is to take a bus from Monaco. Also the monument closed for 2hrs around lunch time so either show up before noon or come after 2pm.