Wednesday, July 28, 2010

Tour de France Week - Roman Influences

(All pictures by Allison Steele)
Here are some lovely tourist attractions in Southern France. I believe these pictures are a mix of Arles (Roman Collesium), Avignon (Roman Aqueducts), and Aix en Provence. Fun, fun, fun, and great views!

Tuesday, July 27, 2010

Tour de France Week - Côte d'Azur Markets






(All pictures by Allison Steele - Mix of markets in Antibes, Arles, Aix en Provence, St. Tropez, and Avignon)

Who doesn't love strolling through the streets of a beautiful little town, shopping for whatever catches your eye, and discovering enchanting new places? Have you ever had an amazing "find" at a market before?

Monday, July 26, 2010

Palais de la côte d'Azur - Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild





(All pictures by Allison Steele)
Is this not every girl's dream home? How delightful to have a pretty pink princess palace to live in? And the gardens are simply divine!

From Wikipedia: "Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild is a French seaside palazzo constructed between 1905 and 1912 at Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat on the French Riviera by Baroness Beatrice de Rothschild(1864-1934). It was designed by the Belgian architect Aaron Messiah. A member of the prominent Rothschild banking family and the wife of the wealthy Russian-Jewish banker Baron de Ephrussi, Béatrice de Rothschild built her rose-colored villa on a promontory on the isthmus of Cap Ferrat overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. The Baroness filled the mansion with antiuqe furnitrue, Old Master paintings, sculptures, objets d'art, and assembled an extensive collection of rare porcelain. The gardens are classified by the French Ministry of Culture as one of the Notable Gardens of France."

Friday, July 23, 2010

Tour de France Week - Côte d'Azur










(All pictures by Allison Steele)

Côte d'Azur is the French term for what we call the French Riviera! Nice (pronounced Niece) is the largest city and is right in the heart of the French Riviera! It's absolutely beautiful, and a wonderful place to vacation! The beaches are a little rocky, but the views are amazing. You can jet ski, parasail, play volleyball, or just walk along the board walk! It is right on the Mediterranean, and the people were charming!

More Nice attractions:

*Promenade des Anglais

*Colline du Chateau (Castle Hill)

*Musee Marc Chagall

*Musee Matisse

*Arenes et Jardins de Cimiez

*Cathedrale Orthodoxe Russe St. Nicolas a Nice

*Monaco - Monte Carlo