Day 2721 (Tuesday) 19th November 2024

This is somewhere near Monaco

and this is Grasse.

It was another lovely sunny day today and after doing some household chores Huw made excellent chicken and chips sandwiches and we went to Petit Afrique in Beaulieu to eat them.

We practically had the beach to ourselves, other than three people sunbathing.

When we got home I looked up Petit Afrique as I’ve often wondered where the name came from…

How Little Africa in the Riviera Got its Name

A Walk Through Little Africa in the Riviera

By Michael February 25, 2014

EASY HIKING|FRANCE|FRENCH RIVIERA

Where did the Petit Afrique area in Beaulieu-sur-Mer get its name from? 

Actually, the area itself – located on the lower slopes of the Saint Michel mountain and stretching perhaps 1 km uphill behind Beaulieu beach – does not give away too much, so this was something I had to research after we had returned home from our walk.

And frankly, it was a bit of a disappointment. I had optimistically expected something like a “just-so story”, involving ideally a fierce tribe of cannibals, a curse or some other element of black magic. Instead, and rather predictably if you come to think about it, “little Africa” acquired its name because of its specifically warm climate and lush vegetation, both results of the area’s micro-location on the steep southern slope of a mountain which protects it from the chilly northern winds, the clouds and most incoming rain.

There are several hikes in and around the area, one from Beaulieu to Eze-sur-mer, although that one only leads you around Petit Afrique’s periphery. 

But whatever vegetation may once have reminded the local settlers of more tropical climes: there is not much left of it, and nowadays, the little Africa in the Riviera has been pretty much built-up. The architectural influences, meanwhile, are not restricted to the quarter’s “patron continent” – although the Maghreb which appears to have inspired these Moorish tiles is, after all, also a part of Africa.

But then, there is also the geometric Le Corbusier hedge …

… and where there still is vegetational lushness, it is less of a tropical bent and more something that you would expect to find in an British garden.

But mainly, the architectural language of Petit Afrique in the Riviera is the global idiom of luxury.

Still: in a side street down the hill, we finally did spot a house whose owner had paid a little architectural hommage to Africa – although with a slight twinkle in his eye.

Vive Little Africa in the Riviera.

There is a restaurant on the seafront in Petit Afrique called the African Queen and it’s rather expensive.

Welcome to the African Queen - Epicurean delights in the heart of the French Riviera

A renewed French culinary tradition

Born on the French Riviera, the African Queen restaurant is a legendary and iconic venue that needs no introduction. Under the guidance of Gilbert Vissian, the restaurant has become a reference point where celebrities, locals, and tourists gather throughout the year.

Today, African Queen is experiencing a new beginning thanks to three friends: Riccardo Giraudi, Philippe Schriqui, and Patrick Gioannini. African Queen was and remains one of those restaurants where friends gather to enjoy delicious Southern cuisine, facing the yachts of the port of Beaulieu-sur-Mer, all while celebrating life and epicureanism.

The menu at African Queen is an ode to Mediterranean cuisine. Gourmets and regulars alike settle into an exotic and timeless setting to savour the signature dishes that have made African Queen famous – wood-fired truffle pizza, traditional Niçoise salad with tuna, grilled fish

– but also to indulge in new, fresh, and colourful recipes. These include a tarte tatin with confit tomatoes and Parmesan shortbread, succulent Wagyu beef, and warm shrimps with olive oil and Menton lemon.

The architectural revival of our sea-view restaurant has been entrusted to the architects Humbert & Poyet.
Extensive work has been undertaken over several months to modernise the premises and bring a new vision while preserving the spirit and history of this now iconic restaurant.

Ethnic touches have been added to the textiles, woven rattan chairs, emerald green ceramic tiles, and lighting fixtures. Discover it with your own eyes.

African Queen is open everyday from 12 :00PM to 10 :30PM.
Bookings can be made by phone at +33 (0) 4 93 01 10 85 or online

African Queen

Port de Plaisance
06310 Beaulieu-sur-Mer
Tel: +33 (0)4 93 01 10 85

Open everyday

from 12 :00PM to 10 :30PM