Steeples

The steeples of St. Michel and of the Chapel of the Pénitents Blancs, seen from the market place below the old town.

Little old ladies

Outside the main market, you'll always find little old ladies selling produce they grow on their land - perhaps in Menton, perhaps in one of the hill villages. You'll see this lady is selling homemade jams and chutneys and she has a few eggs for sale as well. Sorry I nearly chopped her head off in this second photo. (Oseille is sorrel.)

A style of house

This is a longer view - this time taken from the front - of the building featured two days ago when you saw a close-up of the side of the building. The building faces the sea and is just by the casino. You can see the detailed photograph here. Abraham asked if this style of architecture has a name and I just don't know. Perhaps someone more knowledgeable than me can help. Certainly, many buildings have those lovely tall French windows, and that colour turquoise is much used in Menton.

Green Gate

A entrance in the Vieille Ville. with the usual collection of exterior plumbing artwork.

Just a small detail...

This is a detail from a building just across from the English church I showed the other day. It's on a corner, just in from the sea. You see this turquoise colour on many buildings: on shutters, pots, ceramic ornamentation.

The Wilder Shores of Love

Lesley Blanch at her 100th birthday party in the gardens of the Clos du Perronet, Menton

Today I went to the beautiful and moving funeral of Lesley Blanch, the writer and traveller. It was held in the church of Roquebrune village. Roquebrune adjoins Menton. Lesley Blanch, who died at the age of 102, lived in Menton and was, at one time married to the writer and diplomat, Romain Gary. She was always known locally as Madame Gary. You can read her obituraries in The Times, The Independent, The Telegraph. Here is The Telegraph's obituary - it's worth reading - she was an amazing lady. Suffice to say I am privileged to have known her. The Wilder Shores of Love was Lesley's best known book - it has never been out of print since its first publication in 1954.

Inside the church awaiting arrival of coffin

The priest making the blessing with incense

Outside the church

Unnatural fishing

Fishing off the rocks in Menton - this was taken in an area between the Old Town and Roquebrune-cap-Martin. Note: this breakwater is man-made, but what the hell....

A jug apart

This ornate silver jug was for sale on the same stall that sold the silver champagne bowl featured the other day. You can see that lovely object here.

Service du Patrimoine

The Service du Patrimoine organises walking tours around Menton's famous gardens and also gives regular tours of the beautiful Old Town. They also organise exhibitions relating to the history of Menton. This is their headquarters and is where visitors meet prior to a tour. The guides are always people qualified by the Minister of Culture.

St. John's Anglican Church, Menton

St. John's is part of the Diocese in Europe that exists to serve Anglicans across Continental Europe and beyond. English congregations and churches have been established on the European mainland since before the Reformation. The Diocese in Europe is present in 42 countries with around 250 chaplaincies and congregations, and forms part of the Province of Canterbury.

St. John's has a library with over 5000 English books - it's open twice a week and is a focus for English-speakers in Menton who like to meet over a cup of tea!

The church is situated one street in from the sea and just across from the Jardin de Bioves and the Casino.

By popular demand!

Thankyou so much to everyone who responded to my concern that I was posting too many pics of the Old Town. It's so encouraging you all love them - and so, by popular demand (!) here is yet another. This was taken on a dull day - hence no blue sky but the colours of the buildings shows up alright, I think.

Nowadays you can drive to the cemetery which is at the top of the Old Town, and so, if you have shopping, you can walk DOWN with it. Imagine in the old days when people had to carry every single thing UP to their houses - of course they had donkeys in those days... It's like that in all the hill villages around here. No wonder the old people live so long - and they do.

One way to get there...

Here's a shot of the Old Town you've not seen. Sometimes I worry that I post too many photos of the Old Town but then I know I never tire of its beauty so hope you don't either. There are several routes you can take to get to the top and this is the starting point of one of them - it's just by the church.

Dark into light...

Walking in the Old Town means walking from a dark area to light to dark again and so on. I hope this photo gives you that feeling. Walk this street with me...and the higher we climb, the lighter it will get.

Une coupe de champagne?

Not all the stalls at the brocante on the 1st May sold junk. This one specialised in silver. This beautiful bowl was on sale for 2700 euros - I didn't ask if the champagne was included - anyway what you see here is doubtless sparkling white wine and not the real thing.

Panther

A little self-indulgence here, as I couldn't resist photographing this lovely old car. I think I was a petrol head in another life because I love Top Gear, a British television programme about cars. You will see Carnoles in the background. Carnoles is a suburb of Roquebrune-cap-Martin which adjoins Menton. The car is a Panther which means nothing to me. I'm sure someone out there will be able to enlighten us. It has a British flag so is perhaps British owned. Year? I don't know.

Brocante!

The 1st May each year sees a massive brocante in Menton and each year it gets more and more crowded. Stalls selling all manner of beautiful antiques sit alongside others selling total junk. Anyone can take a stall and it makes for a fascinating mix. Tables crowd the walking street, the market area, and various squares throughout the town and along the sea. It's pretty much impossible to park but everyone has a good time. This lady caught my camera's eye. She has difficulty walking yet notice how elegant she is, she wears her hat at a jaunty angle and has a beautifully cared-for little dog. I've photographed this lady before - in a different hat! - on Riviera Dogs.

Doves

In this tiny corner of the Old Town, you'll see we need a plumber, an electrician, a plasterer and a painter.

Lunchtime!

Dogs in restaurants are the norm in France. Here an older lady proudly shows off her lunch companion at Le Balico - my favourite Menton restaurant - or have I told you that before? Of course I have! I went yesterday and this lady and her dog were at the next table. We had moules, followed by tortellini with ricotta and basil. Yummy.

Are dogs allowed in restaurants in your country?

Note: Since posting this, sadly Le Balico has been sold and is now under new management.

Monthly Theme Day: City Exchange - New York City

18 months ago I was in NYC (a city I love to bits) for a few days and had always wanted to visit the wondrous Chrysler Building but somehow, on previous visits, had never gotten around to it. Well you can't! You can go into the lobby and that's about it. You peer across a barrier at those incredible Art Deco elevator doors but can go no further - so I decided to go to the top of the Empire State Building and look at the building from above. As many of you will know, when you get to the viewing gallery of the Empire State Building, there is a map listing all the main buildings and landmarks you see - but this part of the map stopped me in my tracks. Look above and you'll see just the outline of where the Twin Towers were before 9/11. Somehow, when you look at this drawing and see the height of the Towers in relation to the rest of the buildings in Manhattan - well, it's mind boggling. I was staying in TriBeCa so took the opportunity to visit Ground Zero. And today, on A City Exchange, I show this as my tiny tribute to those who died that day.

And here's the Chrysler Building in all it's glory.

Please visit the following cities who are taking part in today's theme:

Monte Carlo, Monaco -
Rome, Italy -
Singapore, Singapore -
Tenerife, Spain -
Rotterdam, Netherlands -
London, UK -
Montréal (QC), Canada -
Melbourne, Australia -
Naples (FL), USA -
Bastia, France -
Hong Kong, China -
Mazatlan, Mexico -
Buenos Aeres, Argentina -
Manila, Philippines -
Arradon, France -
Madison (WI), USA -
Evry, France -
Seoul, Korea -
Shanghai, China -
Bucaramanga (Santander), Colombia -
Sequim (WA), USA -
Singapore, Singapore -
Budapest, Hungary -
Baziège, France -
Hamburg, Germany -
Toruń, Poland -
Nelson, New Zealand -
Madison (WI), USA -
Vantaa, Finland -
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia -
Mainz, Germany -
Dubai, UAE -
Saint Paul (MN), USA -
Cork, Ireland -
Stockholm, Sweden -
Menton, France -
Tel Aviv, Israel -
Albuquerque (NM), USA -
Kitakami, Japan -
Stayton (OR), USA -
Szentes, Hungary -
Stavanger, Norway -
Grenoble, France -
Villigen, Switzerland -
Paris, France -
Hyde, UK -
Moscow, Russia -
Joplin (MO), USA -
Jakarta, Indonesia -
Greenville (SC), USA -
Cape Town, South Africa -
Asheville (NC), USA -
Seattle (WA), USA -
Kyoto, Japan -
Tokyo, Japan -
Madrid, Spain -
Auckland, New Zealand -
Oulu, Finland -
Lubbock (TX), USA -
Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina -
Baton Rouge (LA), USA -
Sydney, Australia -
Maple Ridge (BC), Canada -
Vancouver, Canada -
Seattle (WA), USA -
Selma (AL), USA -
Chandler (AZ), USA -
Sharon (CT), USA -
Manila, Philippines -
Lyon, France -
New York City (NY), USA -
Los Angeles (CA), USA -
Brookville (OH), USA -
Hayle, UK -
Wailea (HI), USA -
Saarbrücken, Germany -
San Diego (CA), USA -
Boston (MA), USA -
Saint Louis (MO), USA -
Cypress (TX), USA

Muguet for the first of May

A lovely tradition in France takes place each year on the 1st May, when a sprig or small pot of Lily of the Valley is offered to friends and family - for luck.

I lived for a year in Pyrénées when I first came to France, and there the bus drivers give every female passenger a sprig on the 1st May. I don't believe this happens on the Côte d'Azur but someone might correct me. I hope they do. A lovely idea.

So, a sprig of muguet for YOU for tomorrow - and may it bring you luck for the rest of the year.

(This post is one day early because tomorrow is DP Theme Day.)

Journée nationale de la déportation

Today sees ceremonies all over France as it's the National Day of the Deportation. I'm not sure of the symbolism here with the American flags but presume it's because it was the Americans who liberated the camps in 1945. Hope someone more knowledgeable than me will comment if I've got it wrong. (Please read Abraham Lincoln's explanation in the first comment - thank you Abraham). I presume this little boy is the older man's grandchild - even great grandchild. And note the girl in the background - she is holding her guinea-pig - cochon d'Inde in French.

A tree in the sea

We are above the Old Town, looking down over a mixture of old and new roofs towards the sea. The oval piece of land you see in the distance - planted with a few trees - is land that has been reclaimed from the sea.

Give me light!

Narrow and dark - how some of the streets in the old town can be. The beautiful church, which you saw in this post, is glimpsed at the end.

A gateway in Gorbio

It doesn't look as if this gate gets much use. I passed it yesterday on my way to a friend's house in the village - it looks pretty much overgrown on each side.

Vote!

We've moved from Menton Old Town today to Gorbio village (my village) - which is about 7 or so kilometres from Menton. Here we are just inside the archway that is the entrance to the vieux village. On the right are metal panels displaying each candidate from last Sunday's election for President. You might notice a space between the first two panels and the rest - that's to allow the homeowner to enter his house! That's how it is in a medieval village.

Basilique Saint-Michel

Here you see the facade of the Eglise Saint-Michel. A fine example of the talent of 17th-C. Ligurian architects, this Basilica surveys the Old Town, which itself forms a baroque neighbourhood. Inside, trompe-l'oeil paintings signed by Cerrutti-Maori adorn the central vault, and a purplish Genoese damask, brought out on special occasions, emphasizes the building's baroque style.

Each August we have the music festival in Menton which is held most evenings in the paved area outside this lovely church. Concerts range from classic to jazz and always with wondrously talented musicians. Last year Daniel Baremboim's West-Eastern Divan Orchestra, played one night. This orchestra of young Israeli and Palestinian musicians was created, I believe, through the friendship of Israeli conductor and pianist, Baremboim and the late Palestinian-born writer, Edward Said.

Huilerie

This is the old olive oil shop which is just before the archway that leads into the Old Town.

Do we care a fig for Earth Day?

Thank you to Isabella and her lovely bunny rabbit at Naples DP for the reminder that it's Earth Day today. It's also the day the French choose their new President. Even though I'm a tax-paying French resident I'm not allowed to vote in National elections - only the local election for Mayor and of course for the European parliament. I hope the French choose well today. If you haven't visited Eric's Paris DP blog, please do so and click on both 'a Funny Mix' and 'Winner.' I fell off my chair laughing at Winner. It's brilliant.

So, an olive or a fig to honour Earth Day? Both conjure up the Mediterranean for me but I chose this fig simply because it is so old, probably over 100 years. It's a great tree that's withstood polution and everything thrown at it and it gives me beautiful figs in August/September. I took the photograph this morning - it's not in full leaf yet and still has only a few tiny fruits showing promise for the harvest. It's such a privilege to have this wondrous tree in my garden. You can read what the dogs think of it here.

Thank you so much to Isabella, Alice and Abraham for help in changing the width of my blog and the size of the photos. Hope you like the new look.

Green door

This little house is in a narrow street of the Old Town - fairly high up where it gets light and sun.

Echium

Echium candicans (Pride of Madeira) is a common plant in the south of France. The bees and butterflies just love it.

An apology that I've not been commenting much of late. Got friends for the Monte Carlo Tennis Open and 10 dogs en pension because it's school holiday time in this part of France (and all the dogs are in the house!) so here's a shot of a corner of my garden taken this morning. I'll catch up with comments next week. Forgive - and thanks so much for comments on my blogs.

Hillside behind the Old Town

This was taken from the cemetery above the Old Town, this time looking at the hillside, rather than towards the sea. Thought you might like a change.

Bay of Garavan

Looking from above the Old Town across to Italy - here you see the bay of Garavan which adjoins the Italian border.

Give us a kiss, luv!

So far as I can see this old door in the Old Town, has a bunch of withered mistletoe hanging from a nail. Mistletoe is considered lucky in France and the French hang it everywhere. Kissing under the mistletoe is a New Year's Eve custom, rather than at Christmas. I hope this bunch brought the owners of this house good luck and perhaps someone got a kiss too. Give us a kiss, luv!

Resting place

Wandering around the cemetery above the Vieille Ville of Menton, you can't help but notice how many British and Russian graves are to be found. Of course it was the Brits and the Russians who made Menton fashionable and famous at the turn of the century - indeed Queen Victoria used to spend time here each winter - never in summer, m'dear. Here you see a seagull watching over the grave - and perhaps messing it up, let's face it - of one Charles Richard Congreve who died in 1885.

Water!

You can see where this tap is situated by looking at the second photo here. I love that someone has gone to the trouble of training a plant and presumably watering it from time to time.

Electrician needed!

No wonder Menton Council is offering financial help to house owners in the Vieille Ville to enable them to restore their houses. This house looks as if it could do with an electrician for starters. Somehow tho I love it as it is.

Disrepair

As you can see parts of the cemetery above the Old Town are in disrepair.

Shutters in the Old Town

These blue volets (shutters) caught my eye. In fact this blue is more often seen further along the coast in St. Tropez. Typical Menton colour is a pale turquoise or eau de nil. In the photo below you can see where I found this window.