Week in the South

I’ve been off of the map of the last week so instead of pretending I wasn’t and posting each days recap separately I’m just going to throw it all into one post.

Saturday, February 14

We drove* from Boitron, France 10 hours south to a cute little cove called Villefranche-sur-mer, which lives in between Nice and Monaco.

*Just some things to note about European road trips.

- If you drive anything less than 5 km/h below the speed limit you will be passed by everyone, also the speed limit 130 km/h which I thought would feel more freeing but actually ended up being terrifying.

-You can, in fact, cross three lanes with one flick of your signal

-Don’t use their En Routes if you want a toilet seat

Sunday, February 15

We toured around the little VilleFranche-sur-mer because it was rainy on this day. It had an Italian feel to it (probably because we were pretty close to the border) with vividly coloured houses and shops.

The town was mountain-to-ocean, so we had a nice descent and a less than nice climb back up to the apartment, although the view was pretty great. 

Also, we had hamburgers for lunch. They looked great (even had little American flags on top) and I went to dig in when I noticed that my family was picking up their forks and knives. I won’t elaborate on how the North American part of my mind wanted to hit the utensils out of my hand when I followed suit. I’m sorry everyone.

Monday, February 16

Today, which was supposed to be a gloomy, turned out to be sunny and only slightly windy. We traveled east into the mountains and to a little medieval town called Eze. It was really beautiful (the town and the view) and had a really great history of its maturity through the centuries.

Also in Eze was the Fragonard factory (A French perfumery), so obviously we toured the facility and made use of the factory prices ;)

Afterwards, we went and looked around two other little mountain towns called Peille and Peillon. They gave off a bit of a ‘we’re extremely haunted by the ghosts’ but that didn’t stop these avid town explorers and we ignored all mental warning signs and walked around them anyway (well, climbed around them).

Tuesday, February 17

Another day we thought we could write off as rainy and gloomy also turned out pleasantly. We traveled past Nice to Antibes. There, we at lunch on the beach. Yes, I did say that. In February, I ate lunch on the beach. I really never thought I’d ever say that (sorry -22’s). Anyway, it was gorgeous. I had a crepe outside of a café, it was very European.

Wednesday, February 18

Monaco Day! Everyone saw my Facebook post, I’m not going to pretend I wasn’t spending the entire day looking for strapping young bachelors driving BMW mopeds- I mean, ehem, coffee. I didn’t find any good cups of… coffee, of course. I saw lots, but sadly, they were all in the very expensive coffee makers their dads probably bought for them. Anyway, we went and watched the changing of the guard at the Palace, and we went to the Aquarium, and walked up, up, up to the exotic gardens (no seriously it was a torturous walk, no wonder everyone has a scooter). It was a gorgeous day (like 18 degrees) and ya, it was just wonderful.

Thursday, February 19

Today we went to Nice for a few hours. We walked along the esplanade and then weaved in through the buildings. We walked through an adorable little market and through dozens of squares. We ate lunch in a big park filled with little kids and this group of really fit people working out (I was getting tired watching them work). Afterwards, we went back to Villefranche and sat on the little beach in the sun (Sabine and Sylvestre attempted to swim, but I definitely avoided that). That evening we went to Menton which is a city on the other side of Monaco. It holds a citrus festival every year, and we ended up being there for it, and one of their night parades. The theme was Chinese New Year.

Friday, February 20

We said goodbye to our little apartment and Villefranche-sur-mer and drove to Cannes where we were going to stay two days with the Olivet’s friends. Cannes is a beautiful city, modern and classic. I got a picture with the stairs that all of the stars walk up for the Cannes Film Festival (I’ll post it when I get it off of Sabine’s camera), as well as the handprints of some of my celebrity heroes (Julie Andrews among others). After we saw the theatre, we walked down the promenade and I practically fainted in front of Channel and Dior (but I only got a good picture of Louis Vuitton). Every big name was there and it was breathtaking (sure the Mediterranean was nice, but I’d prefer a dip in high fashion). Not to mention the great revival crepe and hot chocolate I had afterward (you guys don’t know what you’re missing in the hot chocolate department, this was next level)

Saturday, February 21

It rained all through the day, so we stayed inside, only venturing one fruitless excursion out (we turned back after a few minutes). It was a nice relaxing day after the fast paced week though and it gave all of us time to wind down (and gave me time to read my very English book which was helpful in the sea of French).

Sunday, February 22

Today we travelled back home. Another 10 hours north, another toilet seat-less adventure. It’s nice to return home, even though it’s not actually my home… It’s nice to return to all of my stuff. And Wifi, that’s good too. I hope you guys are keeping it together in all that cold. I shiver for you (haha, not really, I just laugh and show the Olivet’s the temperature, and they shiver for you). Next week Agathe and I trek to Versailles and Disney Paris, I’ll keep you posted. Thanks for catching up with me, love and miss you all :)