A very cultural today, experiencing some of what Nice has to offer. So many people have been influenced by the climate and light of Nice and the French Riviera. We met several of them today. It is a very easy city to walk around, lots of delights along the way.
Loving being in such an accessible city. We organised our train tickets today for our journey tomorrow and to Milan next week. Very convenient staying so close to the station.
Full breakfast (with eggs) for 7.80 euros at a cafe near our hotel. Hotel buffet breakfast was 10 euros so we thought it would be better value elsewhere.
Lots of electric cars and charging stations throughout the city.
We planned our route and walked through some very attractive suburbs. Intricate ornaments on many apartment buildings.
Fascinating styles with attention to detail. This one with a Roman influence.
This one was for me. Villa Marguerite.
The Marc Chagall (1887-1985) National Museum.He was a Russian immigrant before WW2 but although a French citizen, had to flee to America as he was a Jew. He fell in love with the area around Nice for its light and lifestyle, living here for the rest of his life.
Chagall's focus was about colour and movement. He refused to be defined by any of the other emerging art movements of his time. We were able to see an hour long documentary about his life and art.
A mosaic work that he created in the museum he began in 1974.
Much of Chagall's painting was about his passion for the stories of the Old Testament.
We also visited the Musee D'Archeologie de Cimiez, which has a Roman site discovered in 1969 and various artefacts. The site is being restored but does not have any signage which was unfortunate.
The original layout of the site.
Outside was a large park, Parc des Arenes de Cimiez, dedicated to various musicians (Louis Armstrong, Miles Davis, Lionel Hampton etc). Families were picnicking and there were several boule teams out enjoying lively competition.
We were mesmerised by their skill and concentration.
Nearby was the Henri Matisse (1869-1954) Museum.
Although a conventional painter in his early career his style change after a trip to Tahiti in 1930 when he began to incorporate images he had seen there.
His paintings in Nice were often interiors with views out to the light and views of the Nice coast.
Another public park with seating for parents around the perimeter. Young and old enjoying the facilities.
We had been looking forward to visiting the Russian Cathedral of St Nicholas. When we arrived we were told it was under restoration. This is another interesting story of a love affair with the French Riviera. The English discovered Nice in the 1700s but it wasn't until the 1800s that the Russian royalty began to visit the area. In fact, the Tsar Nicholas 1 died in Nice. Nicholas 11 funded the building of the cathedral in 1912 to serve the large Russian community who had settled here.
Beautiful ceramic details on the exterior.
Unfortunately we were unable to see inside the cathedral but here is the detail from the Internet, with gold finish and classic icons.
One of the posters displayed around the city to promote the current Nice Promenades des Anglais festival.
We were pleased that we navigated around the city so easily. By. 3.30 we were culturally sated, physically exhausted and famished but no food to be had, French restaurants stop serving at 3. A snack of peach and nuts had to suffice until dinner.
M&M
1 comment:
Looks like you have scored some fabulous weather to go with the wonderful French food and culture! You have certainly chosen your destinations well. Best wishes for even more sumptuous travels!
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