Jewel of the French Riviera

Referred to as the jewel of the French Riviera with its panoramic sea views, villas, and luxurious surroundings, St. Jean Cap Ferrat also boasts the highest worldwide price tag for real estate property.  Video (in French) HERE

I have walked the coastal walkways around this peninsula, a site for peaceful and breathtaking landscape and sea views, several times.  So it was that I recently was invited to dine en groupe in the town center on the evening of the annual “Grande Nuit Vénitienne,” featuring a parade of costumes, flag throwers, musicians, and other masked entertainers.  Crowds gathered as the parade passed by (they make two rounds) and kids enjoyed their silly string battles – a fun & festive evening in a lovely setting!

 

 

Rose Festival at a Lovely Historical Villa

On Saturday, May 3rd and Sunday, May 4th the Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild in St. Jean Cap Ferrat will be hosting a rose festival with seminars and workshops throughout the day from 10h00 to 18h30.

This is its fifth year and in 2013, there were 10,000 visitors.  It is a great time of year to see the roses.  There are various workshop (ateliers), flower stands, and talks about the many flowers and plants.  The French Rose Society will be holding conferences, as well.  The gardeners will be doing guided tours and holding floral arrangement workshops, etc.

See program HERE (click on EN at top right for English)

Come & enjoy – take time to smell the roses!roses

 

 

 

Top Destinations For Romantic Getaways On The French Riviera

The following is a guest blog article about four of the many lovely places to visit on the French Riviera – BIENVENUE!

“Cote d’Azur, quite popularly known as the French Rivera in the English-speaking world is the beautiful coastline of southeast France that overlooks the Mediterranean. Whether you are searching the internet for a romantic weekend, a lifetime vacation or honeymoon you can find the most enticing experience in the French Riviera. We have listed below some of the best places that inspire romance in the French Riviera

Grasse

What could be more romantic than the perfume capital of the world? The rural hideaway is the best place to surprise your loved one with the best smelling gifts. The French perfumery took shape in this little town since the first settlers made it their home back in 1400. You could also find several perfume stores about, where you will be able to make a custom blend of perfume based on your preferences. Some of the hotels in these parts also have some of the world’s finest wines locked away in their century old cellars. If you ever visit Grasse, you should also travel to the old town of Cannes which is just 15 kilometers to the south of Grasse, where you will be able to relish in the finest pebble beaches the French Riviera has to offer. For adventures couples there are a couple of hillocks surrounded by serene forest nearby, where they can go on hiking and have the whole place to themselves.

Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat

The Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat is probably the best place to blend romance and luxury. The placidity and legendary hotels around the peninsula was the main reason it had been one of the most favored destinations of the European aristocracy. It is still a favorite holiday destination for a lot of millionaires around the globe. The picture-perfect peninsula will surely live up to your expectations of a romantic getaway. Take a stroll along the promenade Maurice Rouvier during the evenings past the pleasing villas towards the small fishing harbor. There are three popular beaches in the peninsula. Cro de Peï Pin, the biggest beach in the locality is also the most crowded. For couples who prefer privacy, there is the Paloma beach on the foot of a small cliff on the north. The beach is just 10 minutes walk from the fishing harbor. To the north of the main peninsula is the Passable beach past the Office de Tourisme which is also moderately crowded during the sunny days.

Old Town of Antibes

There is no best time of the year to visit the town of Antibes. It is one of the biggest pleasure ports in the French Riviera. The main attraction of Antibes is the majestically built Fort Carré. Walk along the ramparts of the old fort to get a stunning view of the ocean and the waves crashing against the rocks down below. There is also the Musée Picasso where you will be able to witness some of the best works of the veteran artist.

Nice

A nice city (pun intended) located in the heart of the French Riviera is Nice. The large and lively city might not be the best place to go if you need privacy, but there is a lot of exiting thing to do in the ancient city, which is very lively. The flea market which is open from Tuesdays to Saturdays located in the main square attracts a lot of tourists. It’s a true delight to your eyes with all the bright vibrant colors and your nose with enticing scent of flowers and fruits sold in the stalls. Some of the places one shouldn’t fail to visit around Nice are, Chapelle de la Miséricorde, the famous Castle Hill, and the ornate Opera.”

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Author Bio: Aiden Korr is a vivid traveler and loves to visit different places around the world. He specifically recommends Quintessentially Concierge.