De Paris Hotel

Looking through a recent copy of Travel spirit magazine the article on Monaco took me back to the early seventies when I was a regular visitor to Monte Carlo for the Grand Prix.
The Hotel de Paris was the only place to be in Monaco on Saturday night if
you were anyone! Most of the Grand Prix drivers could be seen there at some time in
the evening unaware that had a gruelling race the next day!
I would sit there most of the evening clutching my one drink,
totally mesmerised as one famous driver after another passed me by. All of them
totally oblivious to this twenty- year-old with star’s in his eyes.
Security was so lax on race days that you could swan through the rear
entrance of the Hotel de Paris normally reserved for guests with ease. The
only security check by the elderly attendant was to see if you were wearing the
correct fashion of the day! Velvet jackets and flared trousers I seem to recall!
Undetected and in race heaven I proceeded to watch the whole race from my
pole position on the terrace! It wasn’t until about half way through the
race I noticed I was surrounded by film stars and the rich and famous. Free F1 racing at its best!
Many people are frightened off by the fact that Monaco might be expensive but your article proved informative and comprehensive and your magazine coverage is certainly a must for first timers going to Monte Carlo.