A Year in Villefranche sur Mer - Moving to France

Day 2518 (Tuesday) 30 th April 2024 It was a lot warmer today but it was still cloudy. We decided to go to Nice this morning because the forecast isn’t good this afternoon. We went in search of Indian shoes for the party but it looks like the Indian shop has gone so we headed to the flower market instead. Nice is such a beautiful town with all sorts of lovely small shops. The tourists are arriving and the atmosphere is great. Every time I see a patisserie I can’t resist taking photos of the wonderful cakes. The flower market (cours saleya) was as lovely as ever and there were a few stalls selling fleur de lys ready for May 1 st (more on that tomorrow). The town hall in Nice was flying Israeli flags   We bought a kebab from our favourite kebab shop and ate it in the park and we even took our jackets off. As soon as we got home Badger was straight into the flowers. While we were in the Old Town of Nice we saw our first pizza machine. 6 unusual vending machines in France to discover  Di

  Day 2517 (Monday) 29 th April 2024 This is Villa Kerylos in Beaulieu. There was a huge cruise ship in the bay this morning, the weather was a bit better than yesterday and it was warmer but it was mostly cloudy all day. Four yellow bombers flew over the bay but they didn’t pick up any water because of the cruise ship, they picked up in Beaulieu instead. Huw took this photo the last time they were here. What's happening in France this week – The Local France A young French girl with the word 'non' painted on her forehead during a demonstration on May 1 st in 2005 in Paris. (Photo by Damien MEYER / AFP) From the end of the spring school holidays to May Day demonstrations and traditions plus a deadline for voting, here's what is happening in France this week. Monday School holidays end  - Pupils in Zone A, which includes both Lyon and Bordeaux, will go back to school after their spring holidays on Monday. Zone C (Paris and the south-west) schools have already gone back

  Day 2516 (Sunday) 28 th April 2024 This is Villefranche and this is Menton. Huw went up to the apartment to do some final touches as our guest is arriving tonight. I did my Busuu French lesson and came across this little fact… "Poser un lapin"?? 🐇 Yes, you read that correctly. This weird (and genuinely used) phrase has various possible origins. The most politically correct one comes from the 18 th century, when the word "lapin" (rabbit) was used to mean an unbelievable and fictitious story. Later, the phrase "poser un lapin" came to mean telling tales and setting up fake dates or standing someone up. It was quite cloudy all day so all the passengers on this cruise ship didn’t get to see Villefranche in all its glory. This one is new to us and absolutely massive.  MSC Seaview The cruise experience on MSC Seaview is all about connecting you with the world outside, from the sea to the sky. Whether you’re sunbathing by one of the pools, strolling around t