2013 COTE d'AZUR
A good year ahead on the French Riviera
There are many reasons to feel happy about living on the Côte d'Azur. However, sometimes I feel those of us who live here all-year round simply take it for granted. So, in the spirit of starting the year with positive thoughts, here are a few of my favourite things about Nice and the French Riviera generally.
- Blue skies. We have around 300 days of sunshine a year
- Sitting outside in mid-winter at a beach-side restaurant having moules and frites and drinking rosé
- Every day seeing the Mediterranean sea from my terrace.
- Coco beach in Nice - for afficionados only because of the rocks but the best place to sunbathe in the city
- Driving along the Grande Corniche in an open-top car - the route of Grace Kelly and Cary Grant in To Catch a Thief
- A walk along the beaches and coastline of St Jean Cap Ferrat
- Knowing my local boulangerie bakes the best bread in the world in a wood-fired oven every day
- Driving to Italy for the market at San Remo and having lunch
- A swim at Villefranche in September when the crowds and jellyfish have gone
- Going to the Cannes Film Festival and not being a tourist
- Catching the tram to the market at Liberation in Nice - the best market in town
- Going to the opera/ballet/classical concert in Monaco as if it were an everyday event
- Enjoying not going to supermarkets for shopping - every day
- Being able to wear summer clothes for around 9 months of the year (and also never feeling over-dressed. A girl can never have enough sparkle here)
- The warmth (and wildness) of people who live here
I could add many more things about living here but a list has to stop sometime.
Happy NEW YEAR from the Côte d'Azur.
Just wish I could afford to live there :-(
ReplyDeleteBut Amanda you can! Most of us lead very normal lives here ....!! The beaches are free, the food is not expensive at the markets, and transport is €1 everywhere (yes, a bus to Monaco from Nice is €1!). Property prices are high but not as high as Paris, and renting is a very reasonable option here. I made the step five years ago and have never regretted it.
DeleteVery tempting Rebecca, we nearly moved to France (Pay de Loire) last year but the sellers sold to someone else and we have not found a place that offers all we want since. One day, one day.......
ReplyDeleteKeep hold of those dreams
ReplyDeleteRebecca! I've now discovered your blog!!
ReplyDeleteLOVE the positive!
My wife and I are both 72 years old and living in New York City. We are contemplating retiring to the South of France. Avignon, Arles, Montpellier are possibilities. However, we are apprehensive as it's a big step and we want to know the positives and negatives of such a step and are looking for someone who may be able to guide us.
ReplyDeleteAny advice you can offer will be greatly appreciated.
Tariq Osman