Bloom with a view......Jardin Exotique, Monaco

All along the French Riviera, there are the most amazing views, and the most amazing gardens.....

This view is looking down on Monaco - at the Rock with the Palais, and Fontvielle Harbour from the Jardin Exotique perched on the top of the crags opposite...

This garden is home to the world's largest collection of cacti and succulents, and you wander delightfully lost in  a maze of paths, slopes and bridges as the gardens spread down the steep hills of Moneghetti, always, however,  with impressive spectacular views of this tiny principality....

The gardens are open from 9am to 6pm and entrance is 7 Euros. Take Bus 2 from outside the Monaco Tourism Office to get you up that hill to start your visit....Enjoy!!

Shadow Shot Sunday 148 - Paris

The Jardin des Plantes is a 24 hectare botanical garden in the Latin Quarter of Paris on the Left Bank.   It was first established in 1626 as a medicinal and herb garden for Louis X111, and has since expanded to include a wealth of attractions....

The  long tree-lined avenues and vistas are perfect for jogging, strolling or picnicking  - a lovely wide open space in the heart of Paris....

For more shadow shots this week, click HERE for Shadow Shot Sunday.....Enjoy!!

Shadow Shot Sunday 144 - Villa Ephrussi

 This aerial shadow shot was taken at the Villa Ephrussi on Cap Ferrat, and depicts a herb and flower seller at a garden fair which was hosted in the grounds of this beautiful Villa. The house and gardens are the inspiration of Beatrice Ephrussi de Rothschild who wanted to create the perfect "dream villa" on the French Riviera, and here she hosted garden parties and soirees until 1934. The main formal French garden (see the previous post) was modelled on a ship's deck, and extra staff were employed to wander around in sailors' uniforms to create the atmosphere of a grand ocean liner on the high seas. In addition, the rest of the "decks" and "sides of the ship" are nine different terraced themed gardens - all offering undeniable beauty and shadowy goodness on a sunny day. Here is the Stone garden....

 ....the Spanish garden...

.... the Exotic garden (all cacti and succulents).....

 .....the Rose garden........

......and the Japanese garden......

The French Riviera is famed for beautiful gardens, so don't hesitate to visit if you get the chance, and also make sure to visit Shadow Shot Sunday this week for more glorious shadow shots from around the world. Enjoy!!

Musee Renoir - Cagnes-Sur-Mer

I visited the Musee Renoir in Cagnes-Sur-Mer on a gloriously sunny Autumn Day with bright blue skies and Fall foliage making it quite clear why an artist would choose this place to live and paint....

Renoir spent the final years of his life here, and inside the house you can view twelve of his original paintings on display, as well his studio complete with the wheel chair from which he painted...

For me the interior of the house was of mild interest compared to the beautiful garden setting with rolling vistas across to the medieval village of Haut Cagnes-Sur-Mer. The gardens are full of palm trees, orange trees, and mature olive trees which in Autumn were just stunningly beautiful...

Musee Renoir is located in the town of Cagnes-Sur-Mer easily reached by train or bus from Nice (Number 200, 400 or 500) The museum is open daily from 10am -6pm except Tuesdays (and beware it is also closed from 12-2pm).

Shadow Shot Sunday 124 - Jardin Exotique, Eze

The French Riviera is home to some of the most beautiful gardens along its coastline - often called "Jardin Exotique" they display a wealth of Mediterranean flora including a host of striking cacti in stunning locations....

This is the splendid view from the Jardin Exotique in the perched village of Eze....

It boasts an amazing range of plants and blooms interspersed with artistic sculptures...

And of course on a hot day with a bright blue sky, the shadows are strong and striking - and provide some welcome shade for a very tired tourist conked out on the bench....

For more shadow shots from around the world, check out Shadow Shot Sunday by clicking here. Enjoy!!