20. June 20, 2019 - Au Revoir France!

Once again I am sitting in the Heathrow airport awaiting my next flight, but this time I am returning home after completing a very grand France adventure. 

Last night we celebrated in style with a bottle of well-earned champagne. We were beachside dining at the Lido Plage. This restaurant is known for its generous salads and reasonable prices. The food and service were impeccable and it all came with a bird’s-eye view of the Mediterranean. What a “civilized” way to end the journey!

Of note, the restaurant is located across from the Hotel Negresco It is a well known palatial hotel that opened in 1913 and is still very exclusive. In 2003, the Hotel Negresco was listed by the government of France as a National Historic Building and is a member of  the Leading Hotels of the World.

Thank you Margaret for always planning the BEST adventures, Hilary for doing all the driving around the windiest of roads and Christopher for keeping us entertained with your insights and great stories. And a collective group thanks and hug for allowing me to join you!

Last note(s)... 

Thanks to all of you that took the time to read my blog. 

And of course to Bob, who always supports me and my passion for cycling. 

 Au Revoir France!

A little bit of Jazz music along with our dinner

Le Negresso Hotel

19. June 19, 2019 - Touring Nice

Nice is a beautiful and very active city in the Mediterranean. Lots of people, tourists, traffic, busses, motorcycles are everywhere zipping, left, right and down the middle! They are creating a light rail system and so there is construction everywhere. When it is done it should decrease all of the chaos. 

It really seems to be an ideal city for the active people. The very wide seaside promenade caters to everyone. This morning we were walking with pedestrians, runners, scooters and bicycles. There was room for everyone. Of course the sea is a haven for casual bathers to small watercraft and open water swimmers. 

After all of the walking we did yesterday it was a good thing to take the little train tour of the historic district of Nice today. I also love the commentary that goes along with with these tours.

We visited the famous flower/food market in the historic district before heading back to the apartment to get ready to leave tomorrow. Tonight we will have dinner by the sea and then up at 4:30 a.m. to catch the first of two planes I will take to get home. I cannot believe the forecasts for what appears to be unexpectedly cool weather in Arizona. 

The “Square Head” is a sculpture by the french artist Sacha Sosno, and it is also the very first giant sculpture to have been transformed in a habitable building.

The seven statues from "Conversation à Nice" by Jaume Plensa on place Masséna - Nice, France (day and night)

These were taken from the Internet because construction for a music concert obscured our view. 

Built in early 1,900’s, here is my last photo of a French carousel. Love the little airplanes!

18. June 19, 2019 - Rothschild Villa, Monaco - Monte Carlo

We are in Nice and will be touring the historic are of this Mediterranean city today. Yesterday we decided to check out the surrounding area and visited the Villa Étuves Jardins Euphrussie de Rothschild in the nearby seaside village of  Saint John Cap Ferrat. This I’d one of the former residences of Beatrice Euphrussie Rothschild of the famous Rothschild family.

Certainly money was no object when building this enormous estate and gardens. Construction began on 1905 and was completed by 1912 and it overlooks the Mediterranean. This area is known as the “Cote de “Azure”, the French Riviera, a noted playground for the wealthy. 

The Villa is filled with masterpieces and antiquities Beatrice collected on her travels. The surrounding gardens also hosts many local, but also lots of exotic plants from around the world, including some from our very own Southwestern states.

From there we headed to close by Monaco a tiny independent city-state on France’s Mediterranean coastline known for its upscale casinos, yacht-lined harbor and the well known Grand Prix motor race, that runs through Monaco’s streets once a year. 

Monte-Carlo, its major district, is home to an elegant casino complex where many. It also has many luxe hotels, high end boutiques, nightclubs and restaurants.

First stop to the Prince’s Palace of Monaco (House of Grimaldi] where we toured the castle. They were hosting a photographic display of never seen photos of a last minute visit Grace Kelly’s made when filming in the area. This is where she first met Prince Rainier and we know how that turned out!  

Of course we could not miss a visit to the adjoining principality of Monte-Carlo. We walked down the hillside down to the docks to get a bird’s eye view of some very pricey and glamorous yachts. It was hot as we  walked up the steep hillside to Monte-Carlo. We stopped at the famous Café de Paris to cool off and as watched all the beautiful people and cars. Rubbing elbows with the elite can be expensive, our sodas were 15 euros each!

Great fun, lots of walking, tons of up and down climbing and my Garmin showed almost nine miles of footsteps while touring today. Oh my poor feet!

Tour of the historic district of Nice is on the agenda today and fly home tomorrow.  Hmm, I think I will need a vacation from my vacation!

Villa Rothschild - Magnificent well preserved treasure. Cozy huh?

Gardens

They don’t grow them this big in Arizona 

View of the Fountain

Views from every room

Monaco - No Photos Allowed Inside - apparently except the one Margaret took of the throne room...

Changing of the guard 

Playground For the Rich!

Monte Carlo



 

Café de Paris - One can lose a lot of money here, just on a Perrier!

Bond, James Bond, here to play in my new car

17. June 17, 2019 - Aix-en-Provence to Nice via Gorges du Verdon

Sorry the post was so shower yesterday, we were all very tired. 

Before we left Nice we made a short stop at Santon Fuques gallery where they hand craft figurines, including the famous “SHEPHERD,- BLAST OF MISTRAL”. Which depicts a shepherd being almost blown away by the mistral, very cold and harsh winds that howl through Provence from time to time. You can read more about this shop and figurines here. https://www.santons-fouque.fr/en/p/10-santons-fouque-le-coup-de-mistral

This shop has been in operation since the 1800’s and four generations have handcrafted these figurines. One of the owners proudly took us on a tour of the workshop. 

After a purchase, or two (yes Bob you are going to love them) we were off to traverse the winding roads through the Gorges du Verdon to Nice.  

Hilary did an amazing job driving the very twisting and windy narrow roads. We stopped in the very picturesque town of Moustiers Ste.Marie for a coffee and a quick stroll. I really wished we had more time here as it is quite beautiful. 

Then off again wending our way to yet another small medieval town of Castellane for lunch. I had a wonderful chicken veggie curry sandwich that appeared to be huge, but I managed to eat it all, yet again neglecting to think to take a photo. 😊

We also got a bird’s eye view of the Gorges from Point Sublime and stopped for a photo. Last stop at  and again at an overlook of Greolières.

Hilary wins the awards for getting us safely to Nice. Lots to explore tomorrow but looking forward to coming home. Really missing Bob because no matter how much I am having it’s just not the same without him. 

Santon Fuques Gallery

Moustiers Ste.Marie - how was this church built on top of this mountain???

Castellane - Another Church high on a mountaintop!

Gorges du Verdon - Point Sublime Overlook

Overlook of Greolières

View from our balcony in our VRBO in Nice (great find by Margaret)

https://www.santons-fouque.fr/en/p/10-santons-fouque-le-coup-de-mistral

16. June 16, 2019 - Wandering around Aix-en-Provence

Funny when you slow down you realize that after great effort, like all the cycling we have done, that you might be a bit tired. With that said we had a lovely buffet breakfast at our hotel and then wandered the streets of Aix. 

Since it is Sunday not a lot is open. We took a little tour on a trolley and learned that Aix was where Paul Cezanne, who was born here and consequently lived and worked here for most of his life. However we were just too tired to pursue visiting the museum. 

Here are photos from our morning excursion and now I think a nap might just be in order.

Statue of Paul Cèzanne avec moi!

Market day!

Hilary and Christopher having a beer with Paul Cezanne at a local sidewalk cafe. Circa 1923. Hmmm, perhaps a Diet Coke too?

15. June 15, 2019 - Last morning In Vaison-la-Romaine

We had our last breakfast at the hotel and I took a few photos of the place and then off we went to Les Baux to visit the castle ruins set atop a rocky outcrop that is crowned with a ruined castle overlooking the plains to the south. Its name refers to its site. The name bauxite (Aluminium ore) is derived from the village name when it was first discovered there by geologist Pierre Berthier in 1821.

What views and incredible hike up to the top of the castle. It was a bit overcast but I captured a few good photos. 

One of our fellow riders suggested we go to the Carrieiés de Luminaries. It is a giant projected display set illuminating the walls, floor and ceiling accompanied by music. It is currently featuring the artwork of Van Gogh. Remarkable and almost indescribable. So fascinating!

Arrived in Aix this afternoon and are taking our time to relax and recover from all our riding adventures. 

Our lovely hotel where we have spent the past several days, riding and enjoying our tour

The staff that prepared and served all our delicious dinners in our outdoor courtyard 

Check out these stairs in the hotel, they date back to the 1500’s, if only they could talk the stories they coud tell!

Our tour guides Ken and Syd

The Castle - a few view’s, the pigeon roosting area (yep they raised them and ate them). And more pics too. 

Carrieiés de Luminaries - Vincent Van Gogh - these photos do not even begin to capture this experience!