Day 2881 (Monday) 28th April 2025

This is the exotic garden in Eze Village

 

and this is Menton.

Our flowers are looking really great

It was a little overcast this morning, it was still warm but cloudy. We went into town and saw all these buoys waiting to go out into the bay.

We went to Les Palmiers for a coffee and people watched and then walked down Rue du Poilu and it was lovely to see everything opening up again.

As always on a Monday here’s What’s happening in France this week (The Local France.)

A supporter of the French Communist Party holds a bucket of Muguet flowers (Lily of the Valley) a flower used in France to mark May Day in 2024. (Photo by LOIC VENANCE / AFP)

From the May Day public holiday and the return to the classroom for many pupils across France to a trial over 'the heist of the century', here's what is happening in France this week.

Monday 

Back to school - For pupils in Zone C, which includes Paris, Toulouse and Montpellier, it is back to the classroom on Monday, April 28th, following two weeks of spring holidays.

Kardashian theft trial - The people accused of stealing millions of dollars worth of jewels from US reality TV star Kim Kardashian in October 2016, in what the French press have donned 'the heist of the century', will go on trial on Monday. Kardashian herself will testify in person at the trial, according to her US lawyer.

Junior doctors on strike - The association for students in medicine has called for junior doctors (residents, or internes as they are referred to in French) to begin an 'unlimited' strike from Monday, April 28th to protest against proposals that would create stricter rules on where doctors can set up new practices. When doctors in hospitals strike, they do not physically walk off the job but instead take symbolic actions such as wearing a badge saying 'on strike' or staging protests outside the hospital.

Tuesday

Voting anniversary - Tuesday will mark the 80th anniversary of the first vote by French women, which occurred during the municipal elections of 1945.

Wednesday 

Traffic on French roads - As Wednesday is the day before a public holiday in France, many people will take the opportunity to faire le pont and build a long weekend by taking off Friday as well. According to French traffic watchdog, Bison Futé, all roads across the country have been listed as 'orange' for 'difficult traffic conditions', specifically for departures. 

Thursday 

May Day - France's Fête du travail falls on the first day of the month. This is a public holiday, so shops may be closed. This year, more bakeries than usual may also close their doors. As May Day is France's labour day, expect there to be protests and gatherings too.

French vehicle registration fees - Starting on May 1st, electric vehicle owners will also have to pay for vehicle registration fees - or the carte grise. Previously, electric vehicles were exempted from this expense, but from May they will have to pay too. 

Friday

Possible day off from school - Many schools across France have opted to give kids a day off on Friday, as Thursday is already a public holiday. If you have school-aged children, you should check to see if their school is doing this too. Beware, if your child does have school, France's education ministry does not permit "à la carte vacations".

Saturday 

Festival of roses and plants - For those who will be in the south of France over the weekend, you might want to check out the Fête des roses et des plantes at Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat. The festival will take place on Saturday and Sunday. You do have to pay an entry fee, but once inside you can enjoy the botanical views, an ice cream stand, music and more. 

This is one for us to explore this weekend…

Rose and Plant Festival 2025

Saturday 3 and Sunday 4 May 2025

The Rose Garden is a must-see during the Belle Époque for garden enthusiasts. Béatrice Ephrussi de Rothschild gave it a place of honour to the south of the Villa, making the Rose Garden "the prow" of the ship she envisioned for the gardens of the Villa Île de France, like a flower-covered spur between the Villefranche harbour and the Baie des Fourmis.

 

It is around this flower that for one weekend each year we revive the passion of Béatrice, both keen on horticulture and above all in love with roses.

 

By welcoming horticulturists, rose growers and nurserymen, who have come to share their love of plants with you and advise you on some of their most beautiful creations, we also give you the opportunity to:

- to discover these 9 gardens classified as “Remarkable Gardens” by the Ministry of Culture.

- to enjoy an exhibition - sale in the French Garden and a programme of activities for all audiences - including children's workshops led by the Villa's gardening team, and themed tours co-led by the head gardener and the tour guide.

 

Jewels of the Belle Époque, the Villa and Gardens Ephrussi de Rothschild are transformed into a venue for concerts, shows and exhibitions , and offer a dream setting for exhibitors, artisans and artists .

A unique place where plants, sea and light interact and influence each other according to the hours, seasons and clouds.

 

We hope to see you on May 3 and 4 for an unforgettable weekend of discovery and pleasure, among gardens and scents.