NEAR TO CANNES

July 2007

This is the third in a series about the Cote d'Azur (French Riviera).

Since Cannes is not the most westerly town on the Riviera, let's start about 40 km (25 miles) farther west, along the "Gold coast" (so named because of the colour of the sand). That takes us to Saint-Raphael, a nine-centuries old town established by a powerful Order of monks. Fancy carrousels are popular all over the Riviera, and there we found what has to be the biggest one ever built. It is beside the beach, at the very spot where ... (more)

map showing locations

along the 'gold coast' west of Cannes
This seaside drive is so named because of the colour of the beaches and cliffs.

Frejus cathedral
Frejus is a town of over 50,000 that can boast the oldest religious structure...

enormous carrousel at St Raphael
I'll bet this has to be the biggest and most elaborate one ever built! It...

yours truly ...
... being a kid again on that carrousel.

a peaceful spot ...
... on Ile Ste Marguerite. You are looking to the north-west, toward the...

Fort Ste Marguerite
This is a well-maintained tourist attraction, where the "man in the iron...

Cannes ...
... viewed from the ferry dock below the fort.

A eucalyptus forest ...
... covers much of Ile Ste Marguerite. The photo shows what appears to be a...

In Grasse ...
... the Gallimard perfumery. This is one of the three great distilleries of...

a source map ...
... at the Fragonard perfumery/distillery, showing from whence,...

some historic stills ...
... in the international perfume museum (est. 1989), which houses an...

a whimsical sculpture ...
... made from old stills.

dark, narrow streets
You could easily get lost in Old Grasse, because the high buildings...

in Notre Dame cathedral
It contains three paintings by Rubens, and a rare painting on a...

World War I memorial ...
... inscribed with the names of more than 100 young men from Grasse...

doggie-doo place
Now this is something I would have liked to see in Cannes! On the main street...

And now it's off to Antibes!
Those brave souls on the beach in February must be lost Canucks or...

Antibes marina ...
Somebody's sure rolling in dough!!

carrousel in downtown Antibes
This one isn't nearly as huge as the one in St Raphael, but it is...

side street, old Antibes

ornate pulpit ...
.. in the Church of the Immaculate Conception.

Marche Provencal ...
... in downtown Antibes.

Picasso museum
This occupies most of one of the early forts built by the Grimaldi...

article published 07/22/2007

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Fred Perry's photos
Fred:

What can I say that hasn't already been said! Your photos are amazing, each one is brilliantly photographed, cropped, perfect lighting...and of course your description's of each photo makes me feel that I am there.

I can imagine you would be a wonderful story teller or one of those people that does books on tape.

Thank you for sharing your photos with worldisround. I love this site!

Virginia
— all my stuff, May 20, 2008

Thanks ever so much for the excellent photos, and the very good commentary! I wonder if "carousel" is spelled with one "r"? Must look it up. Those look charming, I am so glad to see them!! I recall the wonderful aromas, around Grasse, it was nice to "relive" it, this way!!
— Eleanor Robb, July 23, 2007

Hi, Fred. Great as per usual. Glad tbe up and running, on e-meil that is! Have a good week. Eleanor
— erowan, July 23, 2007

Avery informative article Fred, & especially well 'writ' ;o) I love the cathedrals (no surprise there) & the carousels & the doggy doo place, great idea. My fav photo is 16 taken through the war memorial ;o)
— Lorraine Brecht, July 22, 2007

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