brocante hunting in Nice

I know, I know that I said this was family time, but I've had a little time to spare and  two brocante opportunities just jumped up at me, plus I had to find a gift so here are a few shots of finding brocante in Nice. Not quite as much fun as Normandy but still enjoyable.

If you are in Nice this summer, my recommendations for finding brocante are each afternoon  in the Puces de Nice,  a sort of tiny flea market on the Port, and every Monday morning on the Cours Saleya - worth while getting there early!

Luckily Ghetto was around, helping me choose ....

And what did I choose as the gift?  ....  these beautiful barbotine plates, 100 years old, made by Sarreguemines.

Thank you for reading me, tomorrow I'll be home and back in the swing of things!

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musee fragonard - a home to perfume

 In the small town of Grasse in the hills behind Cannes is the century old house of Fragonard, creating perfume since 1782.  

The Fragonard museum is open to the public, explaining the history of the company and more.  Fragonard not only tells the story behind the magic of making perfume, they also have a foundation, a charming boutique  and a museum of provencal costume.

Fragonard may have a prestigious name but they have moved with the times and understood the importance of good design and marketing.

Their little soaps are one of my very favourite hostess gifts 

 Another one of my recommended places to stop when you are next on the Cote d'Azur!

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architecture in the south

just a couple of facades that caught my eye ......

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mimosa et la cote d'azur

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I'm taking a few days break, in the South of France, visiting with family, relaxing, low key, ... zen

Here it is the season for mimosas, bright yellow, heavy scented, growing wild in the hills all along the Côte d'Azur.  

I love the perfume of this flower, linked to happy memories, visions of small towns here in the South.

During this week I'll be posting a few simple bits and pieces from the south, places to visit, moments to remember .. nothing too ambitious.

 Wishing you a long slow zen weekend ...

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the perfect french château

This is most likely as good as it gets!!    

In a Provençal village where we stay with friends each summer,  a château has been rescued, restored and  renovated to a finish that comes close to perfection.   It remains a private property, but photos are available as it is used for photo shoots and seminars.

In  June 2008 the remarkable transformation achieved by the owners was rewarded by the "Prix des Vieilles Maisons Françaises"  a prestigious prize created to recognise high quality restoration.

I don't think I need say more than  patina, colour, light, space, proportion,  perspective and perfect taste.  For the rest I'll let the pictures do the talking.

The Château de Moissac is available for for photo shoots, corporate seminars and  private receptions.

all pictures thanks to chateau de moissac

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la belle côte d'azur

I couldn't leave Nice without taking a few shots of the port, the old town and the Promenade des Anglais.   La Riviera has been a popular jet setter destination for centuries, hence the Quai des Etats Unis, the Russian Church, la Promenade des Anglais.  All reminiscent of the 19th century glory of la Belle Epoque, when Edith Wharton liked to portray her heroines taking in the Riviera as part of their Grand Tour.

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