Provence from Fayence outwards

Webb Ellis grave in Menton

Not a lot of people know that Webb Ellis retired to Menton for health reasons, as Victorians used to.

For those of you who don't know: the piece of metal that all the rugby teams of the world are currently playing for bears his name. He was the Rugby schoolboy who picked the ball up and run.

Anyway, there has been a frighftul brouhaha about the state of his final resting place - it had been allowed to fall into disrepair and was on the verge of tumbling into the sea. Thankfully, it has all been sorted out by a collaboration between the good folk of Menton, Rugby school and the sports federation - nice statue, path, gate, coffee shop etc.

Blair backs Sarkozy

Not a bad French accent, but I suspect a teleprompter. I am indebted to ThisFrenchLife for the spot.

Route Napoleon died

I'll confess: Napoleon and the Napoleonic era fascinates me. My family buys me birthday presents allegedly from Napoleon. My book case is crowded with Napoleonic books: from War and Peace to campaign maps. Sad, but true.  The fact that Provence is home of the Route Napoleon (the start of his short-lived 1815 comeback) is thrilling, too,

Sooo, imagine my interest at the news story that mystery behind Napoleon's death (again): cancer. There have been all sorts of theories over the years, including poisoning by the British (who, us?). What's interesting is the range of headlines, depending on where you come from:

• Terrible food killed Napoleon
• Napoleon death mystery solved
• Mighty emperor felled by stomach cancer
• Cancer was emperor's Waterloo

I love the last one for creativity! The terrible food story (from Australia) piques my interest: obviously sparked by a crise de foie.

The Route Napoleon goes from Golfe Juan to Grenoble.

Provence invaded by Germans

We expect a huge influx of Germans this summer. The pleasantness of climate, the relaxed lifestyle and the wide range of amenities offered by the French Riviera all make it an ideal destination for Europeans from the northern reaches.

Tanneron mimosa

Tanneron makes it into the news. It's the sort of place you pass through on a Sunday afternoon drive. On top of a hill and on the long way from Cannes to Montauroux (via Auribeau), I had never really considered it. My friend Jill cycles there, which, given the hill, strikes me as lunacy. But...it does make mountains of mimosa, which blooms in spring all over the Riviera.

The NY Times reports that the mimosa harvest in Tanneron in 2005 was so plentiful that Givenchy bought 70% of LMR's stock (LMR in Grasse provides much of the fragrance industry's stock. Givenchy re-issued three of its classic fragrances and upped the quantity of Tanneron's 2005 Mimosa in its Amarige Harvest 2005 to an eye-popping 25%. I am embarrassed to say I could not even tell you what mimosa smells like.

Regarding Tanneron, Provence Beyond says: "As lovely as this region is, Tanneron isn't a typical tourist site...The small central village has a bread shop and grocery store and a couple of cafés. There's even a hairdressers, so you don't have to drive down to the valley to get ready for your evening out." Quietly understated!

Ile Saint Honorat

I'd been to the Ile des Lerins before, but the Ile Saint Honorat was shut (as islands do, from time to time). I'd read Carol Drinkwater's description of nipping out there for a quick mystical experience, alleging it takes 10 minutes to get from Mougins to the beach in Cannes (yeah, right).

So, I was well intrigued and was not disappointed. At the far tip of the island, facing Africa, is a 12thC forfified monastery. From a distance, the building looks like a teeny square, but it opens up more and more as you explore her. Each little staircase reveals a chamber opeining into a hall or a balcony. And then, at the top, after many more storeys than you'd imagine, you can look back towards Cannes, across the Esterel or out to sea. Pick a good day, and nobody else will be there.

Grasse stumped by Iran perfume claim

I am shocked to read that Iran was in fact the cradle of scents. In my mind, it was early frenchman - "homo franco" - who was responsible for the first pleasant aromas. It is now clear that people in Grasse insidiously usurped the mantle and that history needs re-writing.

We are all grateful to the Persians for their revisionist definition: "In olden days, fragrance was used to hide unpleasant odors and impart a pleasant scent to the skin, hair or the environment. Today fragrance is added to bath soaps, shampoos, antiperspirants, bath oils, lotions, laundry soap, cleaning products, candles, and other consumer products for the same purposes. Fragrance is also used to influence mood or emotion via aromatherapy." I am appalled to discover that people would seek to cloak horrid stinks or manipulate the way we feel.

Where, oh where in Provence

Where, oh where in Provence was it found?
I know it's morbid, but in which mountains, 30 mins from Nice, involving the prosecutor for Grasse was the Earl found?