If it’s Friday, It Must Be France …
One of my favourite buildings in Nice is where the artist Henri Matisse lived for many years beginning in the 1920’s. There is no plaque marking this history of the building and the space is not open for viewing. It was after a number of years of visiting this fabulous city that I learned about it. But I had always loved the building. It’s right at the end of Cours Saleya, the market street in the old town, and can’t be missed.
Most tourists probably have a photo of it in their vacation collection because it literally hollers at you to take it’s picture.
I spent today wandering around Nice with a BFF who is visiting us for a week from the States. If you’ve read my novel, The Bridge Club, she’s the character Cass and we were in Nice together 44 (yikes!) years ago when we were 21. We shared a lot of memories today and laughed way too much! It was so much fun.
She’s a photographer too and we took a lot of window shots as we wandered. You can’t help yourself!
The colour combinations of buildings and shutters are striking. Old, restored, peeling, pristine. Don’t ask how many photos I have of them … it’s crazy …
These shots fall in the restored and pristine category. I’m saving the old and peeling for another day.
I often wonder who looks out the windows I photograph.
Sometimes I see faces in the windows as my shutter clicks away and I hope they don’t mind.
But as we wandered and reminisced and laughed and photographed and appreciated the beauty around us, we became increasingly aware of a very strong police 
presence throughout the city. Unusual.
We speculated as to the cause and realized that Sunday is September 11. Everything that day symbolizes remains strong and clear ten years later and we wondered if that was the reason for the seeming increase in security visibility. We thought about the windows in the Twin Towers. How life can change in a fraction of a second.
We reminded each other that none of the horror or heroism of that day will ever be forgotten. We wondered if the world will ever truly be at peace. Everyone, every day, must work towards that goal.
Lovely pictures…and not a single window air conditioning unit! I wonder if that’s an American thing! I love old buildings and the different types of friezes. Even the worn shutters add character.
Thanks Jen. The details are lovely aren’t they? I’ll do another blog of worn and aging windows that have their own special beauty.
Trust me, there are lots of a/c units … I just don’t tend to take pictures of them!
Absolutely gorgeous pictures, Patricia! So much character in the details. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks Marcia! It’s such a buzz taking these photos.
As usual, your very interesting photographs take me to your world. Thanks for sharing.
I’m so delighted to have you along and appreciate your comments. Thanks!
The shutters are such a quaint touch, as are the plants hanging in the windows. The bright cheerful colors on the buildings made me think of San Francisco as I’ve never been to France. How lovely to spend time enjoying such delights with a BFF, repeating some experiences of time together in the past!
This is my first visit to your blog. How did I miss it? I’ve subscribed so I won’t miss it again! Thanks for sharing.
Thanks Marion, I’m glad you found me!
Love. Love. Love. The tour of France we are getting. Your Friday posts are a highlight for me. Stunning pics. Keep em’ coming!
Thanks Natalie! I love to share the experience. (And I can’t stop taking pictures over here so it’s great to be able to share them. I’m going to have to join Snapaholics Anonymous when I get home!)
Beautiful architecture of old Europe will never stop amusing me. I said that already at least once that you make me miss Europe more than ever (and that’s a good thing)! Thank you for sharing, I love your Friday posts.
Thanks Angela. Does it remind you of your childhood? I’m going to keep posting about France for a few more months. I’ve just got way too much I want to share!
Patricia, I love the architectural details on these buildings. It’s such a fascinating subject. I was struck also by your tie in to the Twin Towers windows. It’s not something I’ve thought about but what a moment of change.
Thanks for stopping by! Yes it was quite a jolt to be enjoying the beauty around us and suddenly be drawn into the memory of 9/11. The whole world was touched.