TOUR TODAY ~ THE CÔTE D'AZURE

 Anita at Castles, Crowns and Cottages is hosting another fabulous linky party from France. Previously we’ve all met in Paris to tour the “City of Light,” enjoying museums, shopping and of course experiencing the French brasseries and sidewalk cafes. This year we are traveling throughout all of France and meeting along the way in quaint medieval villages to the small towns and villages of Provence. I hope you will come along  for the ride and enjoy the scenery!

Your Tour Guide Today ~ Emily

Jim and I planned our trip to Paris and upon returning home we both knew it wouldn’t be our last. Little did we know it would be the first of many trips to Europe and the UK. The travel bug bit in a big way! We both love to travel and love an adventure, so no tour groups for us. We travel to explore, experience cultural differences and feel the magic of new found places. Love of history is the draw for Jim while I love art and together we plan and research our destinations to come up with the perfect trip itinerary. 

Today I am touring the Côte d’ A’zur, better know to Americans as The French Riviera. We flew into Marseille and picked up our sporty sedan to travel to the cities and countryside in the south of France.  

We drove to Avignon which is a great town to “home-base”. From there we made day trips to Aix-en-Provence, Arles, Orange, Pont du Gard, Saint-Remy-de-Provence and everything between. For us, daytime requires comfortable clothes and backpacks and evenings find us dressing for dinner and maybe a Church concert or opera. 

Avignon 

We love to stay in historical town centers. This town is surrounded by medieval walls but offers modern sophistication. Cobblestones, street cafes and shops full of sun-drenched Souleo pottery. Here you will find the Palais des Papes and Pont d’ Avignon (Saint-Bénezet) bridge, that once spanned the Rhône River. French children know it best from a song. 

The Bridge

School children on a field trip learning the history of the bridge

The Rhône River

The Town

Palais des Papes

A little shopping for material

Orange
Roman Theater

Pont du Gard

Gnarled and twisted, this spanish olive tree was planted in 908, making it over a thousand years old!

Nimes

Glanum

Roman and Greek settlements

Nice

Our hotel

With a view of Promenade des Anglais

Famous Hotel Negresco with it’s pink dome, our view from our side balcony, yes we had two. Don’t be shy when checking into your hotel, if they have nicer rooms available they will usually upgrade your room if you ask. Before we left Nice we walked across to the Hotel Negresco. Every bit as beautiful as you would dream!

Flea Market

Once a month a flea market replaces the weekly flower market. I found a beautiful old Moustiers faience platter, I practically stole it! It was late in the day and the seller didn’t want to pack it up and return home with it. He made me an offer and I countered with a very low offer. He accepted if I could pay cash! Yes, it is displayed along with my faience treasures. The best bargain ever.

Jim and me taking a little break at a sidewalk cafe

With the day coming to an end it was time to unwind

Monaco

While in Nice we took the train to Monaco for the day. Driving the scenic route would have been fine but once in Monaco the driving would be ugly! We walked from the train station to the town and on to the Monte Carlo casino. We had lunch at an outside cafe across from the casino, which provided a beautiful view. We don’t gamble but just for fun I wanted to this trip. We went inside and I put a few coins in the slot machine and walked out with fifty Euro! I still have my money in my travel wallet.

Monte Carlo Casino

Beautiful views everywhere

Quaint villages and the French Countryside

We took a scenic drive from Cannes, driving along the Mediterranean through quaint fishing villages and passing yacht clubs with luxurious yachts and sail boats. 

Leaving Nice we drove through perched villages, St Paul de Venice, Vence and Cagnes-sur-Mer where we visited Renoir’s Home.  

Renoir’s Home

The large window is his studio. His home was left intact, just as it was when he finished his last paintings. We saw his wheelchair and the paint brush he used for his disabled hand (arthritis). All of his last paintings were standing along the floor and hanging on the wall. The studio was full of his unfinished work.

The Barn
Now used for a gift shop

Basilica Saint-Maximin

Where a small staircase leads to a marble sarcophagus that is believed to hold the skull of Mary Magdalene. Yes, I did go down to view it!

Just like going to get gas only filling up your wine bottle!

This was one of my favorite trips we’ve made to France. We enjoyed it so much we may plan a return visit someday.
I know, this was a little long so if you are still here thank you for touring with me. Hope you will leave a comment, it’s the only way I know you stopped by. 

Merci!

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