Images of Cannes and the south of France
The Cote d'Azur Our hotel in Cannes located on the palm-lined strip, known
as the 'Croisette'. I've always wanted to go to Cannes and the south of France.
I've set stories there, had characters jet in and out of Nice,
spend an evening at the grand casinos in Monte Carlo, but I'd
never been there personally until September when I flew into
Nice, drove along the coast, and checked into the historic
Martinez Hotel in downtown Cannes. The art deco style Hotel Martinez enjoys prime real estate
right on Cannes' Boulevard de la Croisette. The beach front "Croisette" is
where everything happens, especially during the film festival.
The Palais du Festival anchors one end of the Croisette, and
despite its grand name, the Palais looks more like a modern
concrete bunker than a theatre, but all the big four and five
star hotels cluster close to the Palais for the annual festival
and parties. Cannes itself is stunning. From the endless beaches to the
elegant people thronging on hotel terraces with cups of espresso
and glasses of champagne, Cannes is about glamour and sophistication.
I made sure dinner and drinks were had at different spots every
afternoon and evening to do as much people watching as possible.
One evening before dinner we joined the others to sip trendy
cocktails on the terrace at the grand dame of them all, the
Carlton Hotel. The Carlton's exterior is tiered and glossy
white, much like a wedding cake. Jane on red carpet at the famous Palais du Festival. After a day to get adjusted, we hired a car and
driver to give us the grand tour, and our driver took charge.
He told us about the celebrities he's escorted during the annual
film festival-some of Hollywood's biggest stars including Melanie
Griffith, Antonio Banderas, Sylvester Stallone, Robert De Niro,
and Jean Claude van Damme-and took us to the hot spots, the
in spots, the places reserved for the rich and famous. Since 1834 the wealthy English and French have been building
lavish Italian style villas on the scenic coast, turning Cannes
into 'the' resort spot on the Riveria. Today Cannes is a thriving
city of 70,000 and it's still considered one of the premiere
places to be seen. The French take their food very seriously and dining in the
south of France is delicious-and fattening! One of our favorite
meals was at a small restaurant specializing in fondue. The
pot of fondue with four cheeses, crusty French bread and a
wonderful bottle of red wine was a perfect way to end a long
day of sight-seeing. Another night we sat outside at a restaurant not far off the
Rue d'Antibes, listening to some of the rich and beautiful
talk. The group was international, and they were all gorgeous
young things who'd just docked their yacht and headed out for
a night on the town. They'd brought their crew along as a special
treat. The Promenade des Anglais in Nice, named after all the wealthy
English who flocked to France. We spent time in Monaco (another travel piece entirely!),
in the rugged mountains of Provence, and a day sight-seeing
in Nice. Nice is France's fifth largest city and biggest tourist
resort, and with the beautiful palm lined boulevards, the contrast
of old and new architecture, and the proliferation of great
art (Matisse chose to make Nice his home, and artists Renoir
and Picasso were inspired by Nice's climate and light), I can
see why people still flock to the French Riveria for sun and
fun. The south of France is unforgettable, and one of those
places that begs you to return again and again.
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Our hotel in Cannes located on the palm-lined strip, known as the 'Croisette'.
The long crescent shaped
beach fronting the Croisette.
A shot of Nice's busy port,
packed with cruise ships
during the summer months.
We lunched at a cafe facing this beautiful church in Nice (above).
Jane and Jeanne Moreau, one of Jane's favorite stars! (above)
Jane on red carpet at the famous Palais du Festival (above).
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