Day 3006 (Sunday) 31st  August 2025

This is Antibes

and this is Saint-Jean Cap-Ferrat.

 

Chadwick sent me a lovely photo of the moon last night, we can’t see it from our balcony because of the house next door.

We went into Nice this morning and while Huw was waiting for our weekly kebab he took this photo – the kid had obviously had enough and just sat on the floor and wasn’t going to budge.

 

After our kebab in the park we rode down to the Old Port and I couldn’t resist taking another photo of the lovely silver car, which is called ‘a Sunday in Nice’.

From here we went to look at the war memorial, it’s very impressive.

The following photos of the memorial are not mine.

The war memorial of Nice

The war memorial of Nice is located on the route of the first path, the old chemin des Ponchettes. From Cours Saleya, it was possible to reach the Lympia port. It is dug directly into the rock of an old stone quarry.

This quarry was used to build the harbour quays in the 18th century, as well as the pier in the 19th century. Construction of the memorial was completed in 1927, after 3 years of work.
The architect of this Art-Deco style monument is the Niçois Roger Séassal, Grand Prix de Rome in 1913.

This Nice war memorial is 32 m high, the niche carved into the stone is framed by an arch.

The reliefs present on either side, symbolising war and peace, but also violence and appeasement. They are sculpted by Alfred Janniot. The Sun Fountain on Place Masséna is also one of his creations.
And between the two reliefs is inscribed the following words: "The City of Nice to its sons who died for France: Remember the works that your fathers accomplished in their time and you will receive an immortal name and glory". Just above this inscription is the eagle, the symbol of Nice.
To reach the niche, you have to climb five steps. They represent the five years of the 1st World War. In the middle is an enormous urn on which are engraved the names of the main campaigns of the war, such as Somme, Marne, Verdun, Artois... On the wall below, the names of 4,000 Nice residents who died for France are inscribed.

On either side of the forecourt are steles adorned with bas-reliefs representing the artillery, air force, cavalry, engineers, infantry and navy.

Inauguration of the Nice War Memorial

It was inaugurated on January 29, 1928 by Marshal Foch, but also by English, American and Italian naval officers.
During the ceremony, the families of the victims placed the identity plaques in a bronze reliquary, itself sealed in the funeral urn.
In late October 2018, a bronze eagle-shaped reliquary was discovered in the Monument aux Morts in Nice. This reliquary weighs 31 kg 500 and measures 28 cm high and 42 cm wide. After being cleaned, it was not opened for ethical reasons, but scanned. And it revealed what was inside: rings, bracelets and almost 2,000 plaques of soldiers who fell at the front in the First World War.

The bronze eagle was exhibited at the Nice town hall on November 9 and 10, then placed on the forecourt of the war memorial. Thus, after the November 11, 2018 ceremonies, the eagle-shaped reliquary was returned to the place of its discovery.

Distinctions from the Nice War Memorial

On November 28, 2000, it was awarded the "Patrimoine du XXe siècle" label. But also first prize at the Trophées de l'aménagement urbain in 2004. It has also been listed as a historic monument since May 24, 2011.

From here we went to the ‘I love Nice’ sign which has been painted blue for the ‘Year of the Sea’ campaign. Speaking of the sea, it was a wonderful colour because of the wind. 

Our next stop was at the Old Port where we saw lots of very smart sailing boats which are involved with the Ocean Race Europe.

The ocean Race Europe from 10th August to 21st September

The race in 2025 will be the second edition of The Ocean Race Europe, following a debut event in the summer of 2021.

It will build on the foundations of the inaugural race and will be held under the banner of “Connecting Europe” with a race course that stretches from the Baltic Sea, through the North Sea and English Channel, into the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean before a finish in Boka Bay, Montenegro - the first time The Ocean Race will compete on the Adriatic.

THE RACE COURSE 20

Our last stop was in a park nearby which had a great view of the Port.

I usually do the following on a Monday but tomorrow is September 1st and so I will be writing about the changes in France in September so here’s What’s happening in France this week. The Local France.

A child is comforted before entering for the first day back to school in the district of Primat, on the French overseas island of La Reunion, in August 2025. (Photo by Richard BOUHET / AFP)

From the start of a new school year to basketball games to tune into and more opportunities to swim in the Seine River, here's what is happening in France this week.

Monday

Back to school - Monday, September 1st marks the first day of the new school year for children across France.

Sick notes - From Monday, doctors must submit medical leave notes using a secure form to combat fraud. This likely will not affect patients very much, as the vast majority of notes were already being submitted using the secure system.

Phased retirement - From September 1st, employees over the age of 60 – as opposed to the current age limit of 62 – who meet certain conditions will be able to apply to their employer to gradually reduce their working hours, and top up their salary with part of their pension.

Blood donations - Starting on Monday, people can donate blood as early as two months after getting a tattoo or piercing (compared to four months previously), while more efficient testing means that anyone who has had acupuncture, mesotherapy, varicose vein sclerosis, colonoscopy, or fibroscopy can donate again after two months.

Gas prices to drop - After a sharp tax increase in August, gas prices are expected to drop 2.4 percent for a household with gas heating on September 1st, 2025, due to an easing in European wholesale markets.

Tuesday

Energy strikes - Workers in the energy sector, including employees at EDF, will strike on September 2nd, announced CGT union leader Sophie Binet. Usually, energy sector strikes don't cause serious disruption. However, September could be a month marked by lots of strike action and protests. 

Eurobasket - The European Basketball Tournament has begun. France will play against Poland on Tuesday at 8.30pm in Poland at the Spodek Arena.

Wednesday

New cinema showings - French cinemas tend to release new films on Wednesdays. This week, they will release several films, including the French film Fils de about a young, ambitious parliamentarian, and the Japanese film Exit 8 about a man trapped in a Metro station. 

Thursday

Eurobasket - France will play against Iceland at 2pm on Thursday in Poland at the Spodek Arena.

Friday

No taxi protest - Initially scheduled to restart actions on Friday, September 5th, as part of a long-running dispute with the government over fees for medical transport, unions representing taxi drivers said on Wednesday they would push back their mobilisation until after the vote of confidence on September 8th.

Saturday

Paralympic day - One year after Paris hosted the Olympic and Paralympic Games, the country will celebrate la Journée Paralympique in Saint-Ouen (a northern suburb of Paris). Festivities will begin at 10.30am and last until midnight.

Sunday

Seine swimming - Sunday will mark the last day for swimming at the Grenelle Seine swimming site, which is located near the Eiffel Tower in the 15th arrondissement. The site at Bercy will remain open for another week.