France Day 15 - Antibes + Cannes

Tuesday September 24

Our last day of this trip and post tour. Our itinerary says to be in the lobby at 9 am. We are taken by minibus to olive oil mill Alziari. 

First we are in a show room and watch a video. Then we sample and it is very well done. She has a spritzer and squirts just a little on our spoon. She explains each sample  I had no idea that olive oil can be so different … and why.

Then she takes us to the mill machines themselves. They are very old and still used twice a year. They don’t look that appetizing this moment and I mention that to James. 

But then we get the process explained which is interesting and all is ok because extensive cleaning will be done.

Back into the minibus which takes us to Antibes.

In Antibes we are let out at the yacht harbor. Oh my, there are a lot of rich people in the world.

In the far is an old fortress to see. 

We are going into the old town though. The internet says: Antibes is a resort town between Cannes and Nice on the French Riviera (Côte d’ Azur). It’s known for its old town enclosed by 16th century ramparts with the star-shaped Fort Carré which overlooks luxury yachts moored at the Port Vauban marina.

Most towns/cities we visited have lots of art museums. James and I like museums but didn’t visit any on this trip. But it seems that there is a trend right now because much art is shown in public / around the towns. 

This statue is by Nicolas Lavarenne (born 1953) and we see several on our walk. He seems famous. Google his name. 

Several in our group were looking for toilettes. This public one was strange though. There was only one and if people didn’t enter and exit correctly the door mechanism could leave the next person suddenly in the dark. 

Sorry, we had a good laugh about that.  

In one of the side streets Sophie showed us .... (wording from the internet)

In the heart of the old town of Antibes, the Saint-Bernardin Chapel, named after Bernardin Albizeschi (14th century), dates to the 16th century. Its side door on Rue Saint-Bernardin, in solid walnut, is dated 20 March 1581. The Chapel has been listed as an historical monument since 1989 and was fully restored between 1995 and 2011.
On the outside, the façade facing Rue Rostan is in a neo-Gothic style. It is crowned with turrets supporting the outlines of hooded penitents in white on the sides.
Above the door, Lucifer is represented as a terrifying winged dragon with a tail and huge with long, sharp claws. He reigns over three worlds: underground, earth and sky. The dragon twists and roars at the foot of the cross, beaten down by saints and protective angels.

Inside, three statues represent Saint Roch, Saint Sébastien and Saint Bernardin de Sienne. On the sides, the ceiling is in starry ultramarine blue. You can also admire 16th century frescos representing the table of the Apostles. The altar is adorned with four twisted gilt wooden columns in a baroque style, and embellished with Acanthus leaves.

Then we wandered away from the touristy center into the old part, a little uphill. 

Art here too. Somebody adorned a ruff stone wall with tiny little faces. You saw more suddenly popping into your view when you just kept looking. 

We were impressed with the well-kept narrow streets and front doors. And plants blooming here and there. 

We came to the shopping center again for “free time”. Sophie offered to take us to the Grimaldi Castle and James and I were the only ones looking at it but only from the outside. It is now a Picasso Museum. Sorry, not interested. 

Wandering around was nice though. 

Sophie likes markets as much as I do. James and I had a peek. 

With time running out we decided to look for some refreshments and may be some nibbles.

We had to laugh though. Just two tables further were others from our group. We had not seen them when we sat down.

When we left we were sure we didn’t need any dessert. But only a few steps further was “gelato” . There is always room for that especially when there are new tastes to try. 

Back into the minivan we were taken to Cannes, famous for the movie festival. 

We wandered towards the famous red carpet but could not get close. Actually the area was a mess because they were setting up for some other event. We took a look at the tiles of famous stars. 

Then we wandered into the other direction. This was a bit friendlier. Lots of people playing pétanque. Incredible how many courts there were for that. There were groups of obviously retired men. Several of them had cords with strong magnets so they did not to have to bend down to pick up their balls. But there was also a family with a young girl of may be 6 or 8. Everybody brings there own game. 

Back to the minibus. Everybody was punctual. At the edge of town this house came into view and I managed to get a photo. I love that kind of art. 

At 6 pm we met for a farewell drink on the 8th floor. Time to say good-bye. Time to give back our whispers etc etc. 

Wendy and Dough had found a great restaurant yesterday and asked whether we would like to go there for dinner tonight. Another couple joined too and the 6 of us walked there. Wendy asked for a table for 7 because she had invited Sophie who came as soon as she could. 

Wendy and Dough were right. The food was very good. James had the bæuf bourguignon and I had some pasta with black truffles. Oh was it tasty! And I am not usually excited about pasta. I enjoyed every bite.

That was a fitting last meal for this trip. And now to the hotel to do the packing. Oh no!