Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat

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Apparently it's going to rain this Samedi night (Saturday) for a few days. We are looking forward to having a day of doing zero but we thought better to save it for when the rain comes.
Saint Jean Cap Ferrat is like a small peninsula covered in wealthy looking Villas and cedar trees. It lies between Villefranche and Beaulieu ser Mer.
King Leopard II bought 'Villa Les Cedres' (Cedars) which he left to his nephew Albert 1er who during WWI converted it to a military hospital which specialised in lung disease. He being of Belgium extract, the hospital housed many Belgium soldiers. Many of those Belgiums that died in the hospital are buried atop the Saint Hospice hill. Saint Hospice is named after the 'Saint Hospice' who was to be known to have hidden in some ruins in 500's AD to pray without constraint for the dissolute. He caused miraculous healings. My observation is the word Hospice comes from hospital in Greek. They were originally held by Monks and therefore under the responsibility of monasteries. This chapel is a registered historic monument. The large bronze sculpture was not originally designed for the Chapel but for Nice olive oil dealer..Auguste Gal and to be mounted upon a tower of his property. However the military authorities denied this wish so later it was transferred to the Hospice.
We started our walk from Baie de Fourmis in Beaulieu sur Mer, along the promenade de Rouvier footpath past David Niven's house, through StJean township and marina, up the hill by Paloma Beach and through some avenues of swanky looking Villas, St Hospice, along the Plage footpath on the southern side, into the centre of St Jean. All the homes and apartments have lovely gardens/trees. It was a nice quiet area to stroll. In it's heyday of high society playground where Hollywood stars rubbed shoulders with Royalty, Somerset Maugham called it 'a sunny place for shady people'.

David Niven's house was built by Bounin (name of our street) and inhabited Charlie Chaplin before Niven bought it in the 60's.
Villa Nellcote where the rolling stones rented when they left Britian was previously used as a HQ for Gestapo during Nazi occupation.

A couple of ladies approached us if we 'parle vous Anglais' . They were American in Nice on a French language course. We were happy to speak English for a little while. They were very happy to be out of class and enjoying the fresh air and quiet too.

We finished in Villefranche noting the clouds were on their way and the school holidays were over.

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