It’s Better than Nice

Written by Karen.

We have crossed the border from Italy into France as we continue to drive our little guy, i20, along the coastline, turning and twisting inland then turning and twisting back again towards the Mediterranean Sea. Interestingly enough, we noticed the border change even before we saw the signs.  France is much more built up along the hills than Italy is.  

We can’t see the Cote d’ Azur waters yet, but the tangy and cool sea ocean breezes are wafting through our open windows, and we know we are getting close.  In fact, we are approaching the city of Nice, France - also known as la Belle - the capital of the French Riviera. 

We putted slowly up the last hill in heavy traffic, our little guy sweating bullets in the extreme sun, and gratefully pointed his nose downhill towards the beautifully curved swath of ocean blue that makes up the aptly-named Bay of Angels.  Shortly thereafter, we saw our first extended views of the Cote d’ Azure.

It’s as if a child grabbed the blue section of crayons out of the yellow Crayola box and drew deep and wide swaths of intense and varying blues of cobalt, turquoise, and aqua across a blank canvas. The streak of dark cobalt blue blends into a band of clear turquoise which blends into light aqua with creamy vanilla sea foam. The waters are ruffled by the fresh sea breeze making the sunlight dance and sparkle.  It is both fantastic and otherworldly. How does such beauty still exist seemingly untouched by high-end commercialism and busy modern life of the French Riviera?

Nice, France

Promenade des Anglais, Nice France. A celebrated promenade along the Mediterranean Sea where families, couples and friends walk to sunbathe, have a picnic, eat an ice cream, or sit and chat on shady benches.  We also saw runners, bicyclists, roller skaters, and skateboarders enjoying the warm afternoon sun.  

Views of the Mediterranean Sea, Bay of Angels, Nice, France

Views of Villefranche-Sur-Mer, the tiny neighboring town next to Nice, France. Right behind me is where the Rolling Stones rented a home to produce their record,'Exile on Main Street' in 1971.