Stop and smell the lavender. Forget everything you've heard about the glitz and glamour of the French Riviera. You are entering through the side door to secluded beaches, perfume factories, workaday seaport villages, and hill towns rising high above the casinos and mega $ yachts. But do this region justice by not being in a hurry. Eze village, nestled high above the seaside is like being transported into Pinnochio-land: as you walk the fairytale-like narrow twisty cobblestone streets, you get that all too familiar feeling like you've walked past this spot before. Many villages and hill towns have an Italian-esque vibe. Orangey and butter yellow villas are the norm and pasta is as much a staple here as Niçoise salads. When Italy was becoming a nation, the people were given the option to join chaotic Italy. The citizens voted to stay with France, then already stable and prosperous. Perfume is a major industry here. Long ago, the French believed that water brought forth pestilence and disease, thereby doctors advised its citizens to bathe as little as possible. In between baths, perfume was slathered generously. It takes 400 lbs of flowers to make 1 quart of essence. Fortunately, flowers abound everywhere in the Riviera's perfect climate and this region became the perfume capital of the world. So please, stop and smell the lavenders.
A mile long Promenade de Anglaise in Nice was built at the turn of the century for the wealthy English who wanted to stroll the beach without dirtying their well heeled shoes on the fishy smelling gravel.
Museum of Modern Art -Nice. To spread culture, most of Nice's museums are now free.
Vendor on the beach promenade - Nice. This is the biggest Mortadella I've ever seen!
McDonald's McCafe Macarons. Yes, they are as good as they look. And their coffee drinks rival our local Peets.
Villefranche sur Mer - Pretty view of the harbor, this is a workaday town about a 20 minute bus ride from Nice.
Villefranche sur Mer - A quiet day in town today, but it busts out in tourists whenever the cruise ships dock.
Villefranche sur Mer - I'm visiting early so I'm the only one here.
St. Jean - Cap Ferrat. Here is where you might find a few luxury yachts and homes to Nicolas Cage or Sean Connery and the likes of.
St. Jean - Cap Ferrat. An empty beach where I couldn't see a viable path to.
On a hike in the Cap Ferrat peninsula. This is an easy and walkable peninsula of secluded beaches and lots of natural beauty.
St. Jean - Cap Ferrat
A street in Eze Village - There are actually private residences in this hilltop fantasyland village.
For 1500 euros (about $2,000), I can buy a knight in shining armor.
En Route to Eze Village. View from the bus. With stunning views of the ocean and hillside, bus ride up only took 20 min from Nice. These would be the few times I don't mind taking public transit! For under $2, it's worth the trip even if you just get off the bus and go back down.
En Route Eze Village - Nice. A different view from the bus ride between Eze and Nice.
Eze Village = Actually saw a store selling wooden "Pinnochio" puppets and wooden toys. So fitting.
At the top of Eze village.