Looking around Luceram..............

Perched high up in the Paillon valley North of Nice, sits the medieval village of Luceram which currently boasts a circuit of 450 creches to visit. Nativity scenes are perched everywhere - on ledges, on letterboxes, on window sills, on doorstops, on balconies......

They are hanging in trees, floating on troughs, swinging in lanterns, peeping out of every niche, crevice, basket, wheelbarrow, gourd, shell, plantpot, and barrel.....There are full scale models of Luceram in crochet, ceramic, and papier mache with santons of every villager.....

In addition to 450 Nativity scenes, the medieval village is beautifully decorated with swathes of sapin and shiny baubles at every twist and turn of the cobbled alleyways....

At every twist and turn, there are picturesque vistas to photograph....and don't miss the beautiful baroque churches with 15th century altarpieces.....

Reaching the top of the village, there are wonderful views of the surrounding countryside - the hills and valleys stretching away in vistas of blue...

Disproportionately there are 450 creches to only 1 restaurant in town, but fortunately La Boccafina is well worth a lunch stop. Service is very friendly and pleasant, and the menu, though only containing a few simple dishes, is very tasty and well-presented - homecooking with fresh, local ingredients.....perfect whilst you are waiting for the bus back to Nice....

All in all, a thoroughly enjoyable day out over the Christmas holidays!.....and thanks to Kevin Hin and his blog who first posted about Luceram and gave me the idea to get up there for a visit. Check out his very informative and interesting blog at www.french-riviera-blog.com  Enjoy!!

Shadow Shot Sunday 173 - Nice

Greetings from Nice as 2012 draws to a close!! This is the view from my apartment window - the last few days have been gloriously bright and sunny - clear blue skies with clear winter light just perfect for photography - for more shadow shots this week - click HERE and enjoy!!

Merry Christmas...........

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year........from NICE..

I am really ready for a Riviera Christmas.....

May you all have a wonderful festive time wherever you are....

Thanks for following and supporting my blog throughout 2012.....Here's to 2013!!

Shadow Shot Sunday 172 - Nice Port

Down at the port in Nice last week, the sun was shining and the shadows were sharp and strong...

But there are also some lovely splashes of rich colour in the vibrant hues of the architecture around the port...

For more shadow shots this week, click here for Shadow Shot Sunday.....Enjoy! And a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all shadowhunters who contribute to the meme....

Weekend Reflections 22 - Nice Port

Down at Nice Port last week, I was lucky to witness the "golden hour" just before sunset, when the water literally did turn to a thick and treacly spun-syrup gold and the reflections took on the thick texture of oil paintings.......

For more weekend reflections, click HERE.......Enjoy!

Shifty Shades of Grey....

This is the view from my classroom window, and Port Hercule, Monaco is usually bathed in sunshine under bright blue Riviera skies with the glinting of polished chrome on the yachts flashing across the water, but I quite like these uncharacteristic shifting shades of grey.......

The muted shades and tones of the mist, mountains and the mirror-like glassy grey surface of the water are all rather appealing, but hang on a minute this is Monaco......Nothing like a fluorescent shocking pink surreal stiletto to break the grey.......What is the occasion??

No Finish Line is a hugely popular and well supported charity event held every November whereby competitors jog, run and walk round a circuit clocking up the km on their chipped ankle bracelets - all for a very good cause...

More splashes of vivid and vibrant colour against that background of grey - with Santa making an early appearance to herald the imminent start of the festive season....

What colour has been on your radar this week??

Shadow Shot Sunday 171 - Nice

After a very stormy and cold rainy week here on the Riviera, the sun is back, and although it may be December ....and winter of course...the sky is blue, the sea is blue and the shadows are back too.......

People are coming and going on the Promenade des Anglais to admire the sea views across the sweeping Baie des Anges, and larger mechanical promenaders are casting their bold shadows....

For more shadows cast this week, check out Shadow Shot Sunday by clicking here. Enjoy!!