A trip to the French Riviera, including bits of Italy
A trip to the French Riviera, including bits of Italy
Below are photos of various sites visited on the French Riviera. Locations visited: Nice, France; St Paul de Vence, Italy; Rothschild Villa, France; Monaco and Monte Carlo, France; St Tropez, France.
First, a bit about money and the weather.
French Money: Coins - 1 Euro Cent (copper), 2 Euro Cents (copper), 5 Euro Cents (copper), 10 Euro Cents (golden), 20 Euro Cents (golden), 50 Euro Cents (golden), 1 Euro (golden outer ring, silver inside), 2 Euros (silver outer ring, golden inside)
Weather In November 2009 - 50/60s mostly sunny, just a few clouds now and then.
Some of the above photos are sites we saw as we moved along the beautiful scenic roads of the Loup River to St. Paul de Vence, which is situated on top of a hill overlooking the countryside. This is close to the famous Napoleon Road in the heart of the Alps Maritimes area, in well preserved natural settings.
Also seen is the medieval walled town filled with historic buildings, hidden alleyways, fabulous restaurants and many specialty shops. Exploring through the city, one soaks in the distinctive light, said to have inspired Matisse, Braque, Chagall and many other artists.
We also traveled the spectacular coastline, passing the charming town of Villefranhe-sur-Mer east of Nice.
Nice, France
Nice, France
This photo is of the he Mediterranean City of Nice, France -- along the "play ground of the rich and famous." With an average of nearly 300 sunny days per year, Nice is a seaside paradise.
Rothschild Villa
Rothschild Villa
Rothschild Villa, Gardens and more.
"Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild, also called the villa ÃŽle-de-France, is a French seaside villa located in St. Jean-Cap-Ferrat on the French Riviera, called the crown jewel of the French Riviera. This seaside Palazzo overlooks the Mediterranean and boasts seven themed gardens, paintings, and other antiquities.
Beatrice Ephrusse born Rothschild discovered Cap-Ferrat in 1905, when the Cote of Azur was about to become the holiday destination of High Society. She owned four villas in Monaco but was seduced by the natural beauty of this nearby site and bought the 17 acres of land on the narrowest part of the peninsula, right from under the nose of King Leopold II of Belgium, who wanted to extend his neighboring property."4.
Rothschild Villa
Rothschild Villa
BOCCE
BOCCE
Here you see "the game of Bocce, a ball sport belonging to the boules family, closely related to British bowls and French pétanque. Developed into its present form in Italy (where it is called bocce, the plural of the Italian word boccia which means 'bowl' in the sport sense), it is played around Europe and also in overseas areas that have received Italian migrants, including Australia, North America, and South America. Bocce was initially played among the Italian migrants but has slowly become more popular with their descendants and the wider community."5
Monaco
Monaco
"Monte Carlo officially refers to an administrative area of the Principality of Monaco, specifically the ward of Monte Carlo/Spélugues, where the Monte Carlo Casino is located. Informally the name also refers to a larger district, the Monte Carlo Quarter. Two casinos reside here, one for the rich (the Grand Casino where you dress up and pay to get in), and one for us (the American Casino).
Strolling around the beautiful square in the center of Monte Carlo, we enjoyed French attire in shops, and the flowered city, with the large mirror reflecting all. We also enjoyed coffee (or cappuccino) at the Café de Paris."6
*4,5,6 Information is from the travel brochure.
St Tropez
St Tropez
"St. Tropez, once an old fishing village, this scenic area is now a fashionable resort frequented by movie stars, artists and writers. Shots are from a cruise around the yacht filled bay and a stroll around the shops."7