Pinterest

Next pit stop: Villefranche-sur-mer

Thursday 27 August 2015
ootd-IMdress ootd-IMdress2
Outfit: Isabel Marant Étoile Gemma dress (sold out but similarly priced options below), panama hat, Miu Miu sunglasses, K.Jacques St Tropez sandals and Hermes Cape Cod GM watch







From Royal Ascot to vacationing in the French Riviera, this little black dress from Isabel Marant Étoile is getting quite a lot of mileage. Given that the weather in the U.K can be pretty unpredictable, I prefer to buy dresses that can be dressed up or down depending on the occasion.

Once upon a time, I had my share of blings - a diamond tennis bracelet, necklace, Hermes Collier de Chien bracket etc etc etc and then thought....sod it, I can't deal with putting them on and then taking them all off when I'm exercising or having a shower, baking or traveling. These days, I've pared everything down. No blings other than my watch which cleverly masquerades as a bracelet too.




Villefranche-beachfront Villefranche-village5


What fascinates me about the European continent is the vicinity of one country to another. Villefranche sur mer is a quick 10-15 minute bus ride from Nice along the coastal highway to Monaco and Ventimiglia which sits just across the border in Italy. Nice is PACKED to the gills in August so we decided to escape and head for a more secluded beach where the gentle waves are far more child friendly.

I know diddly-squat about the history of Europe or the U.K. All I've ever studied was the immensely flawed history of Malaya plus several years of analyzing the Treaty of Waitangi to bits. A quick google search on Villefranche (quite literally means free city or in this case, free port) gave a good insight into the historic town which was fought over for many centuries. The Romans, Duchy of Savoy, the Turks and the French all had a go, flip flopping between various kingdoms before serving as a base for the U.S and Russian naval forces.





Villefranche-village4 Villefranche-village1


Nevertheless, Villefranche sur mer is an idyllic and extremely charming town with lots of character. We hopped off at Octroi bus stop (take bus #100 to Monaco from the port opposite Saint James store) and strolled downhill towards the citadel and harbor. Years ago when we walked over to the citadel, I caught sight of a group of elderly men playing petanque there. They casually gestured us over to join in the game. I had to politely decline. If they'd known what a disaster I am at any ball games, they'd NEVER ever extend an invitation. My last experience involving a ball was at a bowling alley where I'd swung my arm and the ball flew backwards like a torpedo, nearly obliterating an unlucky bloke. My second attempt caused a mass evacuation. Sigh.

We took a stroll along the harbor via a stone pathway that weaved around the fortress, watching the waves crushing against the rocks below and passing a tourist changing his knickers (!!). A seasoned fisherman sat mending his net a few steps away from the restaurants and bars that lined both sides of the main street by the beach.




Villefranche-dinner Villefranche-mussels

I'm officially obsessed with 12th and 13th century terraced buildings with their wooden shutters painted in typical Provençal colors. It might be the peak of the summer holiday season but the Old Town was tranquil and almost devoid of tourists since nearly everyone was at the beach. Villefranche is an interesting town to explore if you don't mind getting lost. There are steps everywhere which extends from the beach to the top of the hill where you'll get a spectacular panoramic view of the bay. 

Despite several visits to the South of France, I'm still relatively unimpressed with the food scene there. They have rested on their laurels for far too long......(I'm sure I'm going to be pelted with rotten eggs here). Unless you know specifically where to go and be prepared to empty your coffers , the average restaurant is rather uninspiring (pizza, mussels, salad and pasta anyone??)





6 comments:

  1. davvero molto bello! la gonna è particolarissima :)
    http://www.okmi.it/

    ReplyDelete
  2. Agree with you on the food around Nice being uninspiring. I like the very buzzy Italian near the tourist market , pasta and seafood is really divine
    the Atlantic coast does offer the best food especially fish .Ile de Ré is more crowded and chic than Nice now sadly , but eating around the harbour of St Martin en Ré is so much nicer.












    i do find Nice very claustrophobic

    ReplyDelete
  3. This is what volume is sold with applied traditions assignments, Income income tax, Brokerage house as well premiums. It measure is susceptible to change if you do not make pay out. The local surf forecast in an western european part repeat apart from that uk, leeds, Transfer value-added tax on our selection not necessarily recoverable.

    Interest amount for being manuel neuer trikot rot loaded on your equipement foot money from your posting woo(Which is definitely in just a few days after buying marry) If purchasing amount owed not really paid off in Maglie Da Calcio a Poco Prezzo full with a your small business age. At the mercy of credit reports appreciation. Understand view breaks in whole new windows nicely loss.

    The idea money means important persuits steps, Taxation, Brokerage house together Coach Outlet Online Store with other bills. Here wide variety is at the mercy of change if you do camisetas de futbol baratas not make monthly payments. maillot foot 2018 The local surf forecast in an european partner region possibility britain, Scan value-added tax to this spend on not calendario de futbol necessarily recoverable.

    A total variety comprise of related tradition chores, Income income tax, Brokerage firm along with fees and penalties. This amazing quanity is cause to undergo change if you do not make pay back. For details, See Maglie Calcio Poco Prezzo the worldwide delivery overseas software procedure juegos de futbol finer points parts in any kind of Maillot De Foot Pas Cher eye-port or maybe bill.

    ReplyDelete
  4. i like your post very much and describing your post through this very nice pictures it seems attractive but i am searching for something helpful which might help my brother to do his assignment and for that i foudn online proofreading service service who is helping him out now by their skills.

    ReplyDelete
  5. I can't read this post because it is not related to education and I am fond of reading educational content that's why I read dissertation topics for sociology service content so that I collect the content about my education.

    ReplyDelete
  6. This is useful info for viewers. Pretty excellent write-up very knowledgeable and informative article. I sincerely enjoyed surfing from this useful; thank you so much for sharing. unn jupeb admission requirements

    ReplyDelete

LinkWithin

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...