Weekend Reflections 21 - St Laurent du Var

A rather forlorn flooded car park outside a deserted disco is the location for this week's reflections at the quiet end of St Laurent du Var, a small resort just past Nice. This urban landscape is rather contrary to expectations of the scenic French Riviera which is why I liked it..... 

For more reflection shots this week, click here for Weekend Reflections......Enjoy!

Velo Bleu Vistas.....

I'm no hard-core lycra-clad cyclist of the Riviera ilk that you see here clocking up the kilometres on busy roads or gruelling climbs, but I do like a leisurely bicycle ride courtesy of Velo Bleu (Nice's version of Boris's Bikes) and my favourite little trip is along the seaside cycle path from NIce to Cagnes which takes about an hour and if you time the trading in of your bike right costs not even a Euro.......

First you cycle along the glorious Promenade des Anglais in Nice with glorious sea views across La Baie des Anges, past the airport, before arriving at St Laurent du Var with many harbourside restaurants and boardwalk cafes.....

Hop back on a new bike and cycle on to the charming Cros-de-Cagnes which still has an old timer's fishing village atmosphere and lots more seaview cafes and restaurants......(a clear theme is emerging here)..

From here there is a wide, spacious promenade to enjoy around the sweep of the bay to Cagnes-Sur-Mer itself where the cycle path terminates......and you can continue to explore the modern town of Cagnes or the Medieval hilltop village of Haut-de-Cagnes....

Velo Bleu allows you to hire bikes by the day or you can buy an annual pass for just 25 Euros and the bikes are free for 30 minutes - but you can trade them in immediately and take a new bike every 30 minutes. After cycling round  the heart of Mexico City using a similar scheme (Ecobici) this one really is a piece of cake... (with lots more places to stop off for tea and cake)......

Enjoy the ride!!!

Shadow Shot Sunday 170 - St Laurent Du Var

A solitary fisherman is silhouetted against the setting sun at St Laurent du Var. For more shadow shots this week click here for Shadow Shot Sunday.....Enjoy!

Weekend Reflections 20 - Nice

Where are this pair sitting reflecting on a sunny afternoon?? On the Promenade des Anglais in Nice where during the golden hour, it truly is the time to promenade and admire the sea views or take a pew and watch the world go by....

For more reflection shots, check out Weekend Reflections by clicking here. Enjoy!

From Russia with Love to Remo....

The Russians flocked to the Riviera in its Belle Epoque heyday, and indeed resorts like San Remo (City of Flowers on the Italian Riviera) were a magnet from the mid-19th Century onwards to aristocratic European exiles such as Tsar Nicola of Russia who came for the balmy, mild winters.

Dotted along the coast, as a result, are some beautiful Russian Orthodox churches like this one in San Remo which is next door to the Casino. It was designed by Alexi Shchusev who later planned Lenin's mausoleum in Moscow. The church was built for the Russian community who followed Tsarina Maria to the resort in 1906. Now it houses a fine collection of Russian icons...

Russian interest in the Riviera continues with ownership of many villas on Cap Ferrat  by the wealthy and well-known - including Vladimir Putin; and presence is now so strong in Monaco as of four years ago, that we now have many Russian students studying in our International School.

Shadow Shot Sunday 169 - Ventimiglia Vistas

Children race to reach the climbing frame which is casting a fine shadow in the park on the seafront at Ventimiglia the border town between the French and Italian Riviera. On a fine Autumn day the town affords veritable vistas across the valleys of Ventimiglia........For more shadow shots this week, check out Shadow Shot Sunday....Enjoy!!

Shadow Shot Sunday 168 - Ventimiglia Vista

The snow-covered mountains make for a beautiful view from the shadowy rooftops of Ventimiglia the border town between France and Italy on the Riviera. Ventimiglia is well worth a visit on Fridays when the streets are taken over by one of the largest open-air markets in the region. From cheeses and pasta to designer handbags and knitwear it veritably exudes the spirit of Italy...

 There is an intriguing old town to wander through which I have posted about before, a seafront, and many outdoor cafes and restaurants which all make it the perfect day trip - and if you catch it on a fine Autumn day like I did last week make sure you have your camera......

Ventimiglia is 40 minutes by train from Nice, and if you want to see more shadow shots, click here for Shadow Shot Sunday. Enjoy!!

Shadow Shot Sunday 167 - Cagnes

Not the most typical or scenic of shots of the French Riviera, but something about the shapes and colours was appealing on a sunny, shadowy day. For more shadows click here for Shadow Shot Sunday. Enjoy!!

High up in Haut-de-Cagnes ......

 

There are three parts to Cagnes-sur-mer - the fishing village and beach named Cros-de-Cagnes, the modern town Cagnes-Ville and the ancient medieval hill-top village Haut-de-Cagnes which is topped by Chateau Grimaldi - built as a fortress prison in 1309 by Rainier. The village contains cobbled alleys, steep lanes, grand Renaissance houses and nearby is Church St Pierre where the Grimaldis are entombed. Nowadays the castle houses a wide array of art galleries and museums - including an olive museum....

There are many delightful restaurants and cafes - some with amazing views right across the valley. I chose this spot for a leisurely cup of tea and tarte citron one Saturday afternoon....

 

 Nosing round the narrow streets with camera in hand is always a lovely way to while away an hour in these architectural treasure-houses - alongside one building I even found some Roman graves....

Cagnes-Sur-Mer is easily reached from Nice by bus or train (only 10 minutes) or a more enjoyable alternative is to cycle by the sea along the promenade path from Nice (only one hour). I will leave you with a view of Haut-de-Cagnes from the cycle path...more on this route next post.....