Montessori open day opportunity
rivieratimes.com says: The region’s only bi-lingual Montessori school, Les Calibris, is having an open day on Saturday 27th February. During the day two debates are planned to discuss the benefits of this method of education which focuses on harnessing the potential of a child.
We've added the Var village ofBelgentierto Beyond. A Medieval village in the lush Gapeau valley north ofToulon,Belgentierwas famously visited by the Sun King, Louis XIV, in 1660. Less famously, the royal party include the Mousquetaires Comminges and D'Artagnan.
A Saturday visit on a cool winter day, the trees were bare and the sun was low, but this is still a colorful village. A few houses in the old village are especially brightly painted, and the large fresco on the side of the church,
By Russ Collins
To catch a swindler and a swine
rivieratimes.com says: The Riviera Times have joined the hunt for a dangerous criminal, convicted of fraud in the UK and wanted under a European arrest warrant. Since 2008, Mogens Hauschildt, 68, has been on the run with one million pounds belonging to 87-year-old widow, Pamela Schutzmann.
We visited the Var village ofMéounes-lès-Montrieuxon Saturday, one of the rare sunny days during the 2010 monsoon season in the South of France. Méounes-lès-Montrieuxis a small villages tucked in a very green valley north ofToulonin the Var department.
By Russ Collins
Provence weather – how quickly does it change?
says:
We are indebted to Pierre Jolivar – who is probably the most professional, courteous and organised pool man in Provence for this wonderful before and after picture - taken in a single 24 hour period:
That bottle of rose got a severe chilling, it seems.
Big offensive against tiny foe
rivieratimes.com says: The Mayor of St Martin-Vésubie and Member of the European Parliament has launched a working party to fight an insidious invasion that is destroying the French Riviera’s palm trees.
The day after the amazing Snow inCanneson the Côte d'Azur. Friday, 12 Feb 2010, and the snow blanketing Cannes is almost gone.
This snow-sprinkled beach sported snowmen yesterday, but they didn't last long under the sun.
It is very, very rare for these “pointu” fishing boats in Cannes to be covered in snow (below).
By Russ Collins
On Wednesday (the 10th), we got news that a strong winter weather system was heading our way. Dozens of inches of snow were predicted for the hills, and up to six inches along the coastline — never before seen on the French Riviera. We get snow once every few years, but it’s usuallya dusting, like we had in December, and melts by noon.
Thursday morning, I woke up to 4°C (39°F) and rain. I decided to try for the bus, and put on my nice hiking boots, wool socks, a turtleneck, and a wool knit cap, as well as taking along a pair of gloves just in case. I figured that if the bus came, it meant the weather was fine at our offices in Sophia Antipolis, some 28 kilometers (17 miles) to the west of Nice. The bus did indeed come; when we arrived in Sophia an hour later, it was raining there too.
Until just before 11am, that is.Snow began to fall, but it was still above freezing, soit wasn’t really sticking. Then the temperature began to dip, and the snow started picking up
By fraise
French Riviera paralysed by snow
rivieratimes.com says: It must surely be the first time in its 26-year history that the Primo Cup, which usually launches the Mediterranean regatta season in balmy spring-like conditions, has had to be halted because of the white stuff. Across the Alpes-Maritimes via Monaco and as far west as the Var, the French Riviera was literally paralysed by snow yesterday.
Thursday, 11 February 2010, and some serious snow in Grasse. First time this has happened in quite a few years.
This is a view of Grasse old-town from below.
The Fragonard Parfumery on Bvd Fragonard in Grasse (below).
The Jardin des Plantes in the Snow, beside the Fragonard parfumery (below).
Snow on the Cours Honoré Cresp in Grasse, Feb 2010 (below)
Fetching the daily paper, Grasse Bvd du Jeu de Ballon, Feb 2010 (below).
Snowey steps and statue, Grasse, Feb 2010.
The old flower market i
By Russ Collins
We've added a page about the2010 edition of the Michelin Bib Gourmand Guide, that was published on the first of February. We've included pages with listings of the Bib Gourmand (great dining for reasonable prices) restaurants in Provence:
-04 Alpes-de-Haute-ProvenceBib Gourmand restaurants
-05 Haute-AlpesBib Gourmand restaurants
-06 Alpes-MaritimesBib Gourmand restaurants
-13 Bouches-du-RhoneBib Gourmand restaurants
-83 Var Bib Gourmand restaurants
-84
By Russ Collins
Provence Dream Properties