Patricia Sands

Author

Cote D'Azur

À la plage … to the beach!

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If it’s Friday, it must be France …

Pour yourself a favourite summertime beverage and cool off with a visit to a few of my favourite beaches in the south of France .

Going to the beach on the Côte D’Azur is as much about the setting and scenery as anything else … and …bien sûr … food, of course … scrumptious seafood at the beach restaurants and super yummy baguette sandwiches and frites served from Le Truck or Le Snack or Le Whatever at the public beaches. Maybe it was the sea air or we were just lucky but we were never disappointed!

The beaches to the east of Antibes are pebble and take some getting used to. To the west, they are sand. Everywhere the beautiful Mediterranean cools you down. Although the beaches in my photos may look busy, there are countless secluded coves offering peaceful escape. I’ll save those for another post.

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Where is your favourite beach? Is it nearby or a bit of a hike? On a hot day would the beach or an ice cream be your first choice to cool down? Here’s to finding a pleasing way to stay cool in this long hot summer!

A Gold Medal Winner!

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It it’s Friday, it must be France …

During the next two weeks there will be many gold medals awarded at the Olympic Games in London, England.

As I was making my favourite dessert for a dinner party the other evening, I was watching  previews about the Games. It occurred to me that the crème brulée

Photo courtesy of FoodNetwork.com

I was preparing was more than worthy of a gold medal. I first tasted this dessert in France more years ago than I care to remember and if it’s on a menu I’m a goner. It took a while to find just the right recipe to prepare at home. Oo-la-la! I’m not the greatest dessert-maker but this recipe is foolproof.

Here’s the recipe I swear by from FoodNetwork.com. Bon appetit!

To what recipe would you award a gold medal? Were you watching the Opening Ceremonies for the 2012 London Olympics this afternoon, like I was? Here’s the link to the website for schedules and news about all the events. Are you inspired by the amazing athletes each time the Olympics come around? Although I appreciate their tremendous talent and don’t miss any of the competitions ( let’s hear it for Tivo!), even more so I love hearing the stories of their personal journeys. I’m not a big television watcher but I’ll be glued to the Games for the next two weeks. Will you? 

Le quatorze juillet – party time!

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It it’s Friday, it must be France …

Bonne Fête de La Bastille! Bonne Fête Nationale! Happy Bastille Day! 

Every July 14 the storming of the Bastille in Paris in 1789 is celebrated throughout France and around the world by French ex-pats. A fabulous party is guaranteed!

This national holiday commemorates what is recognized as the beginning of the French Revolution. The Bastille was a prison and a symbol of the absolute and arbitrary power of Louis the 16th’s Ancient Regime. With this uprising, the people signaled that the king’s power was no longer absolute as they fought for freedom from oppression and the establishment of liberty, equality and fraternity.

The holiday celebrates the birth of the French Republic. In most communities, all kinds of festive events are planned for the day – including parades, dances, feasts – and  a bang-up finish to the evening with the kind of fantastic fireworks the French love!

Bastille Day Fireworks over the Mediterranean
Last summer we were living in Antibes and loved being right in the midst of all the festivities. This year trying not to whine we will be celebrating in Toronto … hmmm, not quite the same!
We’re living a little vicariously this July 14 as our youngest son (26) is in Antibes/Juan Les Pins and somehow we know he’ll be only too happy to party for us!
Bastille Day Fireworks over the Mediterranean
So whip over to your closest French bakery and load up on croissants for breakfast,  practise the words to La Marseillaise and get out the corkscrew to toast the day with some fine vintage French wine. Wherever you celebrate, I wish you a bonne fête!

Nice Jazz Festival 2012

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If it’s Friday, it must be France …

Excusez-moi, I’m slacking a little today and watching the men’s semi-final tennis matches at Wimbledon. SO good!

And then my DH and I are slipping out to an afternoon movie. After reading all the fabulous posts author Barbara Conelli left on my blog this week and last, she put us in the mood for something Italian. We’re going to see the new Woody Allen movie, To Rome With Love. Va bene!

As a result, this post won’t be too long. Was that a sigh of relief I heard …?

The next four weeks on the Côte D’Azur will be filled with the most fantastic music. S’wonderful, s’marvelous … as the song goes. The Nice Jazz Festival begins this weekend  (July 8 – 12) and, as well as ticketed concerts, there will be music in the air wherever you go. Musicians wander the heart of this beautiful city, playing on street corners and offering free concerts to fortunate passersby. It’s simply great fun!

Click here to see all the details and watch some videos. Enjoy!

Are there jazz festivals where you live? The Toronto Jazz Festival just ended on July 1st and was a huge success once again. Next year I will try to have my act together and talk about it before it is on instead of after the fact. Tell me what happens in your town!  Bon weekend, tout le monde!

P.S.

I had a few photos I took last year during the Nice Jazz Festival but they seem to have vanished from my iPhoto files. HOW DOES THAT HAPPEN??? Never mind,  just because I can’t help myself, here are a few random photos of this city I love so very much …