Heartbreak in Nice
Promenade des Anglais
“La Chaise” ~ symbol of Nice
If it’s Friday, it must be France …
“La Chaise” ~ symbol of Nice ~
“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!
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.
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.
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.
Click 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
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.
Take today, for example, this morning I popped a couple of streets over
from 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.
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.
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.
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?
A 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.
The countdown is on …
If it’s Friday, it must be France…
Excusez-moi! I’ve been a little off the radar on the blog this past week. There’s been a lot going on in my writing world. How’ve you been?
I spent some time processing all the fabulous writing and publishing information generated at the PubSmart Conference, I attended in Charleston SC, April 16, 17, 18. There will be a blog post about it soon. Wow, did I learn a lot !
The conference was also a great opportunity to mingle with and meet so many interesting and energizing people who are committed to sharing information and working together to get better at what we do! It was SO good to spend some time in person with some of my online “besties”. Making connections with people who motivate and inspire you is such a buzz, isn’t it? Have you had the same experience lately? I’d love to hear about it!
Next I took a big load off my shoulders when I hit “send” and fired my manuscript off to my editor. With any luck, we will be good to go for a July 1st release and I’m excited! The cover art is in the works as well!
There’s always a moment of what I refer to as “extreme anxiety” when an author sends a new novel off to their trusted advance readers. These are avid readers who have promised to be completely honest and candid in their comments about your new work. Their word is their bond and we trust them implicitly! Their comments are the best way to make our work even better. Here’s the thing, we’ve lived with the story for months or years and we feel good about it and we hope everyone else will too … but … what if they don’t … egos must be set aside. It’s all part of the process … and I love it!
But, zut alors, it’s Friday and I want to be talking about France!
The countdown is on … 31, 30 … in 29 more days my husband and I will be back in Nice, France. It feels more like going home than going on holiday and we are always thrilled to be there!
Here’s how our first morning will play out:
~ Walk along the Promenade des Anglais, just minutes from our apartment, pausing for a croissant and café au lait at a beach restaurant.
~ Dip our feet in the Med and plan to come for a swim in the afternoon.
~ Stop in at the fab daily market in the old town and pick up some cheese, fruits, veggies, and a big bouquet of flowers.
~ Attempt to limit the number of photographs I take on my first day!
~ Write for an hour or two and then meet friends for lunch. From that point on … who knows?
Bon weekend, tout le monde!
You know I love to spend time in the south of France and write about this breathtaking area on my blog and in my novels. I’ll be researching my next novel as well as spending part of each day writing, and I hope you will enjoy my reports.
Better yet! Come and visit for yourself. For part of June, my friend and fellow author, Susan Sommers and I will be leading a tour of the south of France for women, organized by the Womens Travel Network . There are two spots open in the first tour from June 12 to June 22. The second tour from June 25 to July 5, is sold out. Call your BFF, your mom, your sister, or just come on your own as you will find great company in our group of travellers. I know at this point it would be a spur of the moment decision, but those are often the best kind!
Have you been to the south of France? If so, please tell us your favourite spots to visit! Any questions? Fire away! I’ll be happy to find the answers for you.
And, by the way, this is another home exchange for us. I keep saying what an affordable and friendly way this is to travel. Try it! You’ll like it!
