Côte d'Azur - Part One

Paradoxical News spent a week travelling the French Riviera - or Côte d'Azur - Nice, Monaco, Cannes, Antibes, Grasse. Although several places like Nice and Monaco were revisited, new experiences were made in some of the Alpes-Maritimes towns.

PN again found that to have fun in Monaco and Cannes, you have to be loaded. The places are all about extravagant living, big boats, gambling, and fashion. This time around PN was travelling as yours truly on a shoe string budget - so looks and views were what could be brought back. And they weren't bad. A walk to the tip of the castle in Monaco to see the change of guards at noon. And a shortlived stay in the Casino to see a few euro notes disappear - fast.

One of the traditions of this southern region of France is the trompe d'oeil mural paintings, seen in Nice, Cannes, Cap d'Ail, etc. With fake windows, flowers, plants, cats and other animals painted on the house walls. The one shown here is from the Cannes bus station, with make-believe people enjoying life on fake balconies, a man hanging from a giant clock, a film crew at work, etc.