Blogs from Saint Jean Cap Ferrat, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, France, Europe

Yesterday we laid low, venturing out only to visit the local butcher for a poulet roti (rotisserie chicken); the boulangerie (bakery) for a baguette and croissants; and a vegetable vendor outside our door for some zucchini flowers, fennel, potatoes, apples, tomato, green beans, white asparagus and some shallots. Apparently Chef Dee is planning something special for dinner? Feeling somewhat rejuvenated today, we decided to try one of the designed promenades, or walking trails, that hug the coastline of the Cap Ferrat peninsula where we are located. These walks are of various distances and degrees of difficulty, so we selected one of the least-demanding of them, the Promenade Maurice Rouvier, which runs in a northerly direction for about 1.2 kilometers starting from the Saint-Jean town hall. The path we followed was very flat, with only a few ... read more

Today we take the number 2 tram to the Girabaldi stop. We check out the numerous cafes in the large plaza. When Mark spots fish and chips on one menu our decision is made. We both have the fish and chips and it is very good. We then catch the number 15 bus to Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat. The bus drops us right at the entrance to the villa. The villa was built on 17 acres by Beatrice de Rothschild of the Rothschild banking and wine making family. Beatrice was a collector of paintings by the grand masters, rare rugs and rare items of furniture. She also collected porcelain and some walls are covered in tapestries. A audio guide is included in the entrance fee. Mark and I enjoy seeing the villa which is furnished in the original furniture ... read more

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 ... read more