If I hear the phrase of “Nice is NICE” again, I’m liable to vomit. Just Kidding.
Hello readers! How are you? Such strange times we are living amid covid. I’m not sure how everyone else is coping but our little family have managed to be doing well and I hope the same for all of you.
It felt a bit restricting being isolated in place in a small apartment in Paris so I felt a bit odd when Spring confinement was lifted and we decided that our next two holidays were spent in the confines of other small apartments. We felt we should stay in the country of France, it was absolutely the most respectful decision and best for OUR peace of mind. Our first get-away was in the most southern end of Bretagne in Pitou (Brittany region along the French atlantic coast) in May where I shared most if it on my IG and stories. The most recent this month along the cote d’azur of Nice (pronounced niece- located in the south east) where I took a break from social media. I KNOW!
The plus side from not renting a country gite is that we were beach side and it felt wonderfully refreshing. A whole day can go by just lounging away or swimming in the water. Aside from eating, swimming is one of my favorite activities to be doing whilst on vacay. Actually anything involving water is by far, my favorite holiday or leisurely past time.
Staying in Old Town Nice was the right choice for our holiday. The location is absolutely perfect if you are looking for an old town where you feel you are in a time warp between the various surrounding neighborhoods. This concentrated area is filled with tall pastel colored structures, thousands of restaurants, ice creameries, boutiques catering to tourists, monday brocantes and daily morning food markets and is the most interesting and vibrant area to explore. The squares were densely filled with tourists, (warning; not abiding by the mask rule) and offering everything an active city traveler desires.
We rented a four story walk-up just a stones throw from the Mediterranean. It took us literally two minutes to reach the Promenade des Anglais and its inviting part of the sea. Oui, oui, oui all 7km of the shoreline is rocky but I suggest buying a yoga or cushioned beach mat and please don’t forget the water shoes! There are plenty of paid for use plages where you can comfortably rent a chair and umbrella for the whole day for an average 22 euros per person without obligation to buy food&drinks. I much prefer the later. Spend the extra euros if you can and carve out a lounger for yourself.
Nice has only been part of France since 1860, when Italy reluctantly gave Nice up in 1860 to repay France for helping defend itself from the Austrians. You’ll find a melange of French and Italian and equally see its multi-cultural influences in its architecture, colors, cuisine and lifestyle. My favorite meal out was the home-made pasta bolognese. I felt like I was back in Italy!
The Old Town was once so run-down and poverty stricken that it was referred to as the ‘babazouk’ or Monster’s Lair. Laundry was washed by hand in communal tubs and although many now have washing machines, it’s very common for the Nicoise to hang their laundry outside windows. I think they make for fantastic photos!
We all enjoyed the sleepier parts of old town, away from the popular squares and commerce.
Thank you for dropping by! If you’ve visited Nice before, let us know how you enjoyed your trip.
Once a medieval castle, turned into a private residence in the 17th century is this gorgeous property located in village Loiret…and guess what, dogs are allowed to stroll the grounds with you!
For the last 200 hundred years, the Chasseval family have owned this property and maintain the expansive land to this day by offering receptions, educational and self-guided tours around a 6 hectare pond, lush landscaping, a gorgeous garden with over a thousand different species of plants and flowers, a courtyard where you can peer into the horse stables, browse the game room, touch the chapel walls and tour three levels of the actual residence. Photography isn’t allowed within the château but you’ll see furnishings and paintings from the 16th-19th centuries, gold guild rooms and a basement level full of uniquely strange aquatic memorabilia and other fishermans (fisherpersons) equipment.
I’ll leave it up to you to google other websites offering more details about this area and I hope that you’ll get an opportunity to visit one day. Most importantly, don’t forget to bring a picnic and of course your dog!
On the way to our ‘lil gite…Hang drying linen.Fence leading to baby corn and wheat fields.Dog house.Laffy keeping cool under the tree.My fist attempt at sun bathing. Too Hot!Let’s play ball!On the first tier of Sancerre hill.Fist TierOur parking spot view.First wine tasting offering. Almost all businesses were closed due to the heat wave.CentreSo we took in the views instead…Love these!Practicing my macro.Justin did manage a wine tasting here on Sunday.On the hunt for drinks and dinner…ClosedClosedThe citys monochromatic look, my fav. Music scheduled here but turned out to be a poetry jam.I’m falling for florals!Hey Honey, walk by…TealThat font though…Next to the Sancerre Museum.Light post loveIvy dreamsStopped here for pre-dinner drinks https://www.panoramic-hotel.fr/Keeping cool at https://www.panoramic-hotel.fr/Taste Bar at https://www.panoramic-hotel.fr/Our way out to the car…Lawn decor made simply cute!The gate to the gite.Horse head anyone?The other gite for rentResident horsesDriveway outAnother part of the property for a camper.The stairs leading away from the camper back to our gite.Show me the way Laffy!From the driveway…Laffys a great watch dog!Morning sun!Little shed with washing machine.Property decorOur evening walk…Wheat fields in golden hour…Another view to the gites…There he goes again; leading the way…Heading up the driveway…Across from the tourist info center.Sunday at the Sancerre MuseumView from the church.From on top Tour des Fiefs.Tour des Fiefs, panoramic views.Yep, self timing action!This dog! A couple joking, “we should charge 25 euros!”PastelBlue crushBlockedHello car!The boutique was over priced! Nicest Lady though…Keeping coolSide viewThe other gite. Empty throughout our stay.Some gite decor and insect infestation!
Jentendesigns 