Day 2455 (Tuesday) 27th February 2024

This is Villefranche sur Mer

and this Cagnes sur Mer.

It was pretty cloudy this morning and by lunchtime the rain came again – it wasn’t too bad but miserable enough. 

Huw found this article in the Nice Matin…

The bad weather on Monday February 26th has damaged certain roads in our region.

The latest at 11.18am this morning is that in Nice, part of a private road is closed after collapsing at the Chemin du Cal du Mont Gros. On the coastal strip, due to a landslide, traffic on the RD 2204a (La Trinité) has been disrupted since Monday at 5:30am for an indefinite period. Due to a falling tree, traffic on RM 2564 (Èze) has been cut off in both directions on the Grande Corniche since Monday 6:30am and due to a risk of the retaining walls collapsing on the grounds of the Villa Beau Site, the City of Nice has issued an urgent safety order and decided to cut off Boulevard Carnot (RM6098) on Basse Corniche between Nice Port and Villefranche.

There has also been a landslide on the road between Villefranche and Beaulieu, Huw found this photo online…

To take my mind off the rotten weather I found this article…

France's top 14 favourite villages for 2024

The village of Collioure with snow-capped Mount Canigou in the background, in southern France on February 20, 2020. (Photo by Raymond ROIG / AFP)

Discover 14 of France's best hidden gems, according to French people, as the country votes for the winner in the popular TV show 'Le Village Préféré des Français'

Every year, France votes for it's favourite village through a popular TV show called Le Village Préféré des Français (France’s favourite village), which airs on France 3.

The programme has been running since 2012 and continues to get over 2.6 million viewers each year.

The final 14 list includes one village from each French region (plus one from France's overseas territories). Voting will close on March 8th with the winner announced over the summer. The winning village usually benefits from an increase in tourism.

For viewers, it's a way to discover some of France's hidden treasures. The list of contenders is carefully selected and must tick the boxes of several criteria, including rich cultural traditions, beautiful nature or culinary specialities.

Here are the candidates for 2024;

Cléron - located in the Doubs département in Burgundy

Home to just 300 inhabitants, Cléron is known for its castle, which dates back to the 13th century. 

Cléron is also located near the Valbois ravine, a nature reserve. Limestone cliffs stretch above the valley, where a stream runs through.

The town is also known for the cows' milk cheese Édel de Cléron.

 

L'Ile-Tudy - Finistère département in Brittany

Formerly a fishing village, the l'Île Tudy is one of the region's most popular seaside resorts. It is known for its large sandy beaches.

The estuary of the Pont-l'Abbé river is found near the town, making it a great spot to see rare birds and seashells.

Collioure - Pyrénées-Orientales in Occitanie

In the town of Collioure, you can see the Mediterranean on one side, and the foothills of the Albères massif on the other.

Home to many towers, castles and forts, the town was once a summer residence for the Kings of Majorca. These days, you can enjoy the narrow streets, colourful houses, small port, and pebble beach.

Collioure is also known for anchovies and red wine and is a charming town in the department of Pyrénées-Orientales, on the shores of the Mediterranean.  

Saint-Dyé-sur-Loire - Loir-et-Cher in Centre-Val-de-Loire

Along the banks of the Loire river, Saint-Dyé-sur-Loire village has long been regarded as a gateway to the châteaux of the Loire Valley.

It dates back to the 6th century, and it was called the 'Port of Chambord' during the Renaissance when it was used to transport building materials to the now famous Château de Chambord.

Plenty of important figures in French history, including Molière and La Fontaine, have spent time in the village over the years.

Thomery - Seine-et-Marne in the Paris region (Île-de-France)

A small town of 3,500 inhabitants, Thomery is found between Moret and Fontainebleau, about an hour south of Paris.

Sitting on a hillside on the edge of the forest, Thomery historically produced the Chasselas Dorée grape, which was very popular at the end of the 19th century. It's traditionally grown against a wall and there are 250km of walls, with some still growing vines alongside them.

It is also not far from the Atelier Rosa Bonheur, the famous painter of the 1850s who moved her studio to the Château de By.

 

Mers-les-Bains - Somme in Hauts-de-France

This village in northern France is known for its chalk cliffs, pebble beach and colourful houses. It is a sister town to two other seaside resorts in the area - Eu and Le Téport.

Historically, Mers-les-Bains was a small fishing village, but it became a popular seaside resort in 1860 after a rail line was opened between Paris and Le Tréport. 

The town also has its own particular tradition  -  locals dress up in their best period costumes for the Belle Époque Bather's Festival.

Monthermé - Ardennes in Grand-Est

Dating back to the Middle Ages, the town has been rebuilt several times and survived many wars. Its 15th century church still stands, as does the nearby Laval Dieu Abbey, where local monks have spent years cultivating medicinal plants to offer to local inhabitants.

Monthermé is along the Meuse river, which loops around the city. The town hosts many artisans, and it is especially known for glassmakers. 

In terms of food and drink, visitors can enjoy local craft beer.

 

Aregno - Haute-Corse (northern Corsica)

Found in upper Corsica, the old hillside village of Aregno has been populated since at least Roman times. It finally became French in the 18th century, but throughout its long history it has been known for producing almonds and oranges.

Visitors can enjoy can find both the seaside and mountains in accessible distance, as well as the 15th century Trinity Church.

Deshaies - Guadeloupe - one of France's overseas territories

A small fishing village surrounded by forest, Deshaies is found on the northwest coast of the Caribbean island of Guadeloupe. 

Notable for its many Caribbean-style wooden houses, the town is a popular stopping point for cruise ships.

Visitors enjoy the village botanical garden, as well as the former Coluche estate, which is known for its garden filled with rare plants and beautiful parrots.

Ry - Seine-Maritime in Normandy

About 20km east of Rouen in the Crevon valley, Ry was the administrative centre of the area during the Revolution (from 1790 until 1801).

The French author Gustave Flaubert apparently used the charming village as inspiration for his famous novel Madame Bovary. Tourists can visit the 12th century Saint-Sulpice church.

The town is also known as a stopping point along the GR 25 hiking trail, which passes directly through it.

 

Villeréal - Lot-et-Garonne in Nouvelle-Aquitaine

This south-western French town has already been recognised by the label 'Les Plus Beaux Villages de France'. 

It was founded in 1269 by Alphonse de Poitiers, who fortified the town. During the Hundred Years War, it was occupied by the British, and in subsequent centuries it saw more destruction during the wars of religion.

However, much of its iconic architecture from the Middle Ages remains in place, including its unique 14th century market hall which is still in use.

 

Sallertaine - Vendée in Pays de la Loire

Built on a limestone islet, Sallertaine is known for its surrounding salt marshes.

The village is home to a little over 3,000 people, and it is has also already been given an award  - the 'Ville & Métiers d'art' status, for its narrow streets and status as a village of artisans.

Sallertaine has a 12th century Romanesque church, as well as over 25 craft workshops, including for pottery, leather-work, embroidery, sewing and jewellery.

Gassin - Var in Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur

Overlooking the Gulf of Saint-Tropez at 200m above sea level, Gassin is known for its beautiful views and pastel-coloured walls.

It is home to L’Androuno, one of the world's most narrow streets, as well as several nearby wineries, gardens, and a golf course.