Menton and the Riviera bleues

Someone's been missing in action. Someone's been taking a blogcation. Someone has the Riviera bleues.

I met Adrian Leeds for dinner last week. She did such a nice story on my adventures. Did you see it? All we did was reminisce about Nice, the colors, the flavors, which town did I love the best, the SUN.

On to Menton. There's a tiny Outdoor marché near the train station. Local freshly deep-fried zucchini flowers - a must eat in this part of the world!

Heading into the old town of Menton. Its mostly pedestrian walk ways.

The colors!

Corals, sand, pinks, avocado greens.

Was this the town hall? I forget.

Just glorious.

Yes Adrian, Paris is GREY.

The promenade along the beachis lined with cafes.

I was too late for Menton's renown indoor marché. Get there before 1:30 svp.

I did get to the big lemon store, Au Pays du Citron on 24 rue Saint Michel. Everything lemon under the sun to eat, drink, beauty lotions, jams you name it.

I had this citron mojito. Very refreshing. It was HOT.

Nearby in the musee Cocteau, an exhibit of Raul Dufy's prints, watercolors, drawings.

Dufy did wonderfully joyous fabric design.

His view of Menton.

Dufy worked closely with couture designer Paul Poiret. The exhibit is on till October.

Why didn't I eat here overlooking the beach.

So many umbrellas on Menton's pebble beach.

Little did I know I would be trying again and again to recapture that moment.

Thanks for reading Parisbreakfast. If you'd like to receive Parisbreakfast letters, maps and watercolors in your mailbox, look in my Etsy shop.

I don't want Summer to end. 

Shall we all go down to the Riviera PBers? 

Antibes, Trains Express Régionaux, Cannes - Ventimiglia

After a couple of hours in Cannes I took the coastal train back to the town of Antibes, maybe a 5 minute trip.

These Trains Express Regionaux are a joy to ride. Air-conditioned, with nice bathrooms (yay) and a terrific way to see the whole Riviera right from your window.

Cheap too. A day ticket can be 10€ Get off and on as you like all the way to Ventimiglia. If you have a carte senior for the train halve the price.

The trains can get crowded at times but usually the crowds get off after a stop or two.

Riviera train stations are nice too. I should have sat down and painted this one.

Such a pretty town.

Wonderfully warm colors.

Does every French town of a decent size have a carrousel? There are two in Antibes.

The biggest problem when traveling on the fly is figuring out where to eat. I have to work on this. Or rather PLAN AHEAD. Read up before I get into town. Its time consuming trying to see where Trip advisor says you should eat. I usually end up underwhelmed and overpaying, except for these excellent moules farci - the same as escargot and delicious.

In future I must learn to opt for simpler fare.

Antibes' marché was loaded with plenty of bistros that would have suited me so much better.

And serving more typically local dishes as well. Live and learn.

Nearby the marché Picasso's chateau Grimaldi came highly recommended. Franchement I think the Paris Picasso museum is far superior.

But a nice photography show on.

And the views out the windows are spectacular. What a beautiful town.

Be sure and get a good window seat on the train. The views are terrific.

I'm finally getting around to paint those views.

Almost as good as being there...

Thanks for reading Parisbreakfast. If you'd like to receive Parisbreakfast letters, maps and watercolors in your mailbox, take a look in my Etsy shop.

Have a sunny Riviera day!

Cannes, Thank you Adrian

Thank you Adrian Leeds! If I didn't get your newsletters, Parler Paris and Parler Nice, I wonder if I would have gone to Nice and the Riviera?

On my last day I took the little regional train to Antibes and last minute decided to stay on onboard for Cannes..just a 30 minute ride from Nice. It was 10 am so the public beaches were not crowded.

The private beaches were empty.

You keep thinking of the 'Roaring 20s' when you're in Cannes

People still wear the stripped jerseys..

Though bare shoulders are IN this summer too.

I'm sure they ate the same big tuna sandwiches back then.

Cream-filled tarte Tropezienne pastry may be a recent invention.

I was surprised how much I liked Cannes. Graceful palm trees line the promenades by the beach.

Big, grand hotels sprawl along the Croissett

Beautiful.

Charming art deco sculptures in the parks dividing the beach and hotels.

The hotel ground floors are filled with luxury chains like Celine, Gucci, Dior. Like popcorn stores lined up one after the other. Does anyone shop there?

More fun to lounge in the park and watch the parade of beach people.

You can pick up a suit in Galeries Lafayette if you didn't bring one. Subscribe to Adrian Leeds letters and maybe you'll be going to the Riviera on impulse like I did. If you'd like to receive Parisbreakfast letters, maps and watercolors in your mailbox, take a look in my Etsy shop.

Happy August PBers!