Paillon: Modern Landscaping and Forgotten History in Nice
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Paillon: Modern Landscaping and Forgotten History in Nice

Nice and Paris – the two most visited cities in France – make up an odd couple. In almost every way you look at them, they are the antithesis of each other. Above all, the two are distinguished by the weather, of course: unpredictable and often grim in the capital, sweet and gentle on the…

The Storied Mansions of the French Riviera
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The Storied Mansions of the French Riviera

The French Riviera has been copied and imitated a lot over the years. Nowadays, nearly every coastal country in the world appears to have a “Riviera” of its own – including Albania, for crying out loud. But there is one ingredient in the recipe for the French Riviera’s lasting appeal which is particularly difficult to…

More Surprising Perspectives at the 4th Riviera Garden Festival
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More Surprising Perspectives at the 4th Riviera Garden Festival

Another look at the 4th Riviera Garden Festival! After our visit of the three western host cities (Grasse, Cannes and Antibes), we go east today for the Festival’s second half. Our first stop is Monaco for this the 4th Riviera Garden Festival, which gives us the opportunity of pointing out another change to the Festival’s…

“Surprising Perspectives” at the French Riviera Garden Festival 2023
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“Surprising Perspectives” at the French Riviera Garden Festival 2023

It’s springtime on the Riviera! For some, this is the cue to bring out the beach wear and to rummage through the garage in search for the waterskiing equipment. For us, this is the time to get out our walking shoes – and, every other year, to start our tour around the six host cities…

Nice – The Original Winter Resort and Its Gallery of Rogues
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Nice – The Original Winter Resort and Its Gallery of Rogues

In 2021, Nice became a UNESCO World Heritage site. Following the UNESCO’s recognition of Nice as the original “winter resort town on the Riviera”, some parts of the city – essentially the old town with the port and the Promenade des Anglais – will now enjoy a special level of protection. But it was somewhere…

Notre Dame de la Garde – Where Marseille Wears a Smile
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Notre Dame de la Garde – Where Marseille Wears a Smile

I do not think that too many people will argue with me if I say that Marseille is not the most charming town in Latin Europe. Nor is it the most “easy-on-the-eye”. One reason for the city’s relative unpopularity is that it rarely manages to convey a sense of place. Marseille has neither the leafy…

The Discreet Charm of the Chateau des Terrasses
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The Discreet Charm of the Chateau des Terrasses

The showcase gardens of the Riviera fall into two categories: for drama and excitement, you can visit gardens like the Giardini Hanbury near Ventimiglia or Menton’s Val Rahmeh, which were conceived for maximum effect on the grandest of theatrical scales. But on the local tourist board’s shortlist of famous Jardins de la Cote d’Azur, you…