Provence from Fayence outwards

Mandelieu forest fires

Provence is beset by horrific fires near Mandelieu. We drove past a few days later and there were blackened trees either side of the A8 motorway (which was shut temporarily). Shocking.

Antibes video

Visiting Antibes on the French Riviera? Someone called Brazil Video has compiled this footage of Antibes and environs - although I have to admit that the Latin interest in heavenly bodies is very marked. Still, there are one or two beaches in it.

Cannes Carlton up for sale

Shame. You are for sale. I'd be in the market, but am mortgaged to the eyeballs.

S. .

Davos vs. Cannes

It's World War Three: the World Economic Forum (25th-29th) in Davos coincides with Gourmet Voice in Cannes (26th-29th). Shocking and terrible global planning and a deliberate attempt by world leaders to undermine great cooking. And I would have thought that the services of the key players at the latter would have been imperative at the former.

And... they both have weblogs. Davos Weblog and Cannes Gourmet Voice. The Davos blog is better, though. But I'll be reading Mike Rake's FT-sponsored weblog about Davos. Mr. Rake has a quick wit and a desire to improve the globe: "I go to Davos every year in order to gauge the mood of the key players whose decisions shape the lives of every person on the planet." (Except the top chefs, it would appear).

But, as we suspected, there is no Michelin-starred food in Davos: "After a busy day...I’m off to recover in the best restaurant in Klosters, the neighbouring ski resort." Cannes would be better, I'm sure.

Saddam's provence villas

I had no idea Saddam had a brace of big showy villas in Provence: one in Cannes (worth £8m) and one apparently delapidating away in Grasse. All that remains in Cannes is a gold four-poster bed and gold bathroom taps. Iraq wants 'em back. We say, sell them to the Russians, like the Chateau de Croe (gone to Mr. Abramovich).

French Riviera

Found this photo on a website whose only purpose is to attract search engine traffic. What most people have to failed to realise is just how quickly the mountains begin behind Cannes and Nice, and yet, like leeches, they all cling to those crowded beaches.

Juan les Pins and Antibes

The Scotsman runs a gushing piece about Juan-les-Pins and Antibes. Worth a read for the historical and political perspective: anecdotes about Coco Chanel (she invented the tan here), Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald and Churchill. I am adding "Tender is the Night" to my must-read-about-Provence books.

Monaco "monstrous": the great debate rumbles on...

...in South Africa, of course. "Monstrosities are common on the Cote d'Azur, but nowhere, not even Cannes, can outdo Monaco," is the scathing verdict by one popular guide book on the wealthy principality. I had not known this, but, as the article concedes, they keep on coming to Monaco, regarded by as the jewel in the Provencal crown.

Provence gets a dump: Nice under snow

At last, Nice suffers a white out and here's how...

Mobile phone world descends on Cannes

Whilst the glitterati rabbit on about 3G, mp3, mms, video downloads etc - 45 minutes away, there is no mobile reception up near Fayence and Mons. The telco executives would, no doubt, be lost without the always-on connection. At our house, we have not even installed TV. But the France Telecom works.