Patricia Sands

Author

Nice

“La Chaise” ~ symbol of Nice

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If it’s Friday, it must be France …

“La Chaise” ~ symbol of Nice ~

La Chaise de SAB 2014
La Chaise de SAB 2014

 

 

 

 

“La Chaise” or The Chair”, a sculpture by Nicoise artist Sabine Geraudie, has become the symbol of Nice since 2014 and is prominently displayed on the Promenade des Anglais. It makes me smile each time I pass it. And yes … I do have a large number of photos of this pleasing work of art … can’t help myself!

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Sea-blue chairs have graced the palm-lined Promenade des Anglais in one form or another since the 1950’s.  Today their look is iconic as generations of Niçois and visitors from everywhere have spent time sitting, relaxing, chatting, snoozing, and contemplating life … or not … in one of these enduring symbols ~ in the sun or the shade, every season, on the edge of  the always mesmerizing Mediterranean Sea.

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After the rain

 

The history of these surprisingly comfortable resting places, like most things French, is colourful and you can read about it here. They disappeared for a few years after 2003, but public demand assured their return. Today “the Prom” wouldn’t be the same without them.

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The 4 km sweeping boulevard along the Baie des Anges with its biking and walking lanes is one of the loveliest seaside walks to be found, dare I say (attempting to be unbiased …) in the world. In many ways the Promenade des Anglais defines the city.

Here’s another vantage point with la colline du chateau/castle hill in the background. From every perspective, this is a chair that pleases.

1.IMG_0421Click here for more background on the blue chairs of the Promenade des Anglais.

Margo Lestz always has the details, history and quirky facts! Read about “the Prom” here.

On another topic, have you been watching the Tour de France? There are only a couple of days left before the grand finale in Paris. Even if you aren’t a diehard cycling fan, watching the coverage is a wonderful way to spend time in the various regions of France. Today they are in the Alps near Grenoble.

Bon weekend, everyone!

One day ~ deux fêtes

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If it’s Friday, it must be France …

Since I sent my manuscript for Book #3 in the Love in Provence series off to my editor at Amazon’s Lake Union Publishing, I’m taking a week off to be a somewhat normal person. For me, that means without being attached at the hip to my laptop. Well, maybe not completely … I’m making notes and researching my next book too.

In the next week or two, we’ll reveal the new title for Book #3, edits will get under way and my break will be over. C’est ma vie … and I love it!

I know I missed posting this on Friday, and it’s actually Saturday, so please excusez-moi! It’s incredibly easy to lose track of days here in Nice … the weather is beautiful and there’s just SO much to do.

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Take today, for example, this morning I popped a couple of streets over

book-cover-for-sidebar-on-blog-140-220-120from where we’re staying and had a cappuccino and croissant (they just go together, don’t they?) with Margo Lestz. She recently published a new book, “Curious Histories of Nice, France”, which I downloaded last week and can’t wait to read! Margo always discovers the quirkiest information about this part of the world! She’s fortunate to live here full time. *colour me green … just like that eye-catching book cover*

After that, I met up with my two friends who are visiting  Nice with me and we took a stroll through the grand hotel Le Negresco. You just can’t visit Nice without taking in the history and beauty of this mythic landmark.

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Next, we had a quick lunch at one of the many beach restaurants, just across the street. As you can see, it was another beautiful day with the Med gleaming.

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After lunch, we crossed the street, again, to spend a few hours taking in the excellent exhibit of vintage photographs and art explaining the history of Nice at the Musée Massena. 

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Tomorrow is June 21 and every hamlet, village, town and city in France will celebrate la Fête de la Musique with spontaneous jam sessions and planned performances on street corners and in parks and buildings or wherever the mood hits the musician. It’s great fun. There’s something for every musical taste and it’s a day not to miss. What better way to welcome the Summer Solstice?

228818_36782b98eb4e06a6697abcead2e51ad5fd616e0eA free concert set up on the Promenade des Anglais kicked things off this evening and when we wandered through the crowd of tens of thousands on the way home from dinner, the party was on! Massive speakers and screens ensured everyone had a view. The weather was perfect and the mood was relaxed and happy … what a pleasure to be part of it! As the French do so well, the evening ended with spectacular fireworks.

Everything we did today was within a walking distance of half an hour. Is it any wonder we love this town? How did you welcome the longest day of the year?

Bon weekend et bonne fête des pères/happy father’s day to all of the dedicated dads who love and support their children each day.

This was the poster in the window of the chocolatier around the corner … I could’t resist it. (And, yes, we did go in and buy some chocolate!) Hug your father a little longer today, thank him for all he does … and then share some chocolate! For those of us whose fathers are warm memories, pick some special moments to treasure today.

If this day doesn’t hold good memories for you, I hope you find other reasons to celebrate and that you can “count your life by smiles, not tears”. Thank you, John Lennon.

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It’s time to get your party on!

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If it’s Friday, it must be France …

Once February arrives in Nice, you know Carnaval is not far off. Revellers arrive from around the world to join in the celebration that lasts for two weeks. Parades, floats, flowers, bands, magicians, fireworks, presentations, and food … all this and more!

Photo credit ~ Carnaval de Nice 2015 official program
Photo credit ~ Carnaval de Nice 2015 official program

The theme this year is music and the King Of Music leads all the parades with the biggest float. Parades take place day and night for 15 days with a variety of themes and more than 1000 musicians and dancers. The enormous papier-maché configurations are spectacular. Gigantic balloon figures dominate the daytime spaces and breathtaking fireworks over the Mediterranean turn every evening into a pyrotechnical fantasy world.

Here’s a quick peek: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hdsXAMerT7g

And did I mention food? This is France, after all!

And watch out for silly string! Really? To read more about the long (and often hilarious) history of this carnival, please visit this post by Margo Lestz. She always knows the most fascinating details!

In Canada we have Winterlude in Ottawa and the Carnaval de Québec in Quebec City plus 18 other winter festivals I didn’t know about until I researched this post. Have you been to any of these? One thing they all have in common? You definitely need to bundle up!

In Nice, not so much … but this year you might need an umbrella and rain gear. Unfortunately, some of last week’s events had to be cancelled due to rain. Mother Nature is playing havoc with weather all over the globe!

Check out the photo contest on Instagram and Twitter ‪#‎ignicecarnaval‬!

Have you celebrated at any of the other famous carnivals … in Rio de Janeiro  or New Orleans or Venice? Or in your opinion is the best one right in your own hometown?

 

Credit ~ Carnaval de Nice 2015 official program
Credit ~ Carnaval de Nice 2015 official program

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Travel Theme: DOORWAYS

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If it’s Friday, it must be France …

Many of you know how I love to take part in photo challenges and this week Ailsa’s theme of “DOORWAYS” fits perfectly with my addiction to photographing doors and windows in France.

(*Join us on our tour of the Côte d’Azur and Provence from June 22 to July 4 and see doors like this everywhere we go! Click here for info.)

DSC01880The fancy iron grills at the top of many doors were part of the early method of “air-conditioning”. Fresh air would be drawn in through those openings and flow through to an inner courtyard where it would rise up and out an opening at roof level, helping to cool the interior. Look for them when you are walking through the vieille villes (old towns). These grills alone make pleasing photo collections.

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These intricately-carved doors of the 16thC parish church (that served as a cathedral from 1624 to 1790) in the intriguing medieval village Entrevaux, depict the history of the time. Katherine was here in Promises To Keep. (I’m certain she took this same shot.)

La Colombe d'Or-PSandsPhotos
La Colombe d’Or-PSandsPhotos

The door in this wall leads to the restaurant terrace of the famed La Colombe d’Or in Saint Paul de Vence. Click that link to read the entertaining history of this inn. It’s quite the story! If you visit in the summer, be sure to make a reservation.

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PSandsPhotos

Now we’re strolling in the charming village of Tourrettes sur Loup. Stop here for violet ice cream and visit Le Bois d’Olivier, IMHO, the shop with the best handcrafted olive wood products in the region. Click on that link and look at the photos on their website. I think you will agree.

Blue in Saint Tropez
Blue in Saint Tropez

Visiting Saint Tropez above. This pretty portal below may look familiar … I keep it on the home page of my website.

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Imagine the size of the keys they carried around!

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When one door opens, who knows what lies beyond?

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Something old, something new (note the repair at the bottom). What else do you do when your centuries-old door starts rotting away?

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The lower door was once for the donkey.

IMG_6311See the date on the left side? 1581 … After the villagers and farmers of the area survived a deadly plague, they had these doors carved for la chapelle Saint Bernardin in Antibes to give thanks to God for sparing their lives. When we lived in Antibes while I wrote The Promise of Provence, I would walk past these doors every day and often stop just to press my hands on them. There was an aura and sense of history about them that inspired me.

Do you like to take photos of doors when you travel? Where have you found your favourite portals? Bon weekend tout le monde!

When you have a little time, you might want to stop by Ailsa’s Where’s My Backpack and see many other entries to this challenges. There are doors from around the world!

All photos on this site are the copyright of Patricia Sands.

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