View from the Back
Ramblings of a retiree in France
Category: Trips
Trip to the Maybourne Riviera
Hailing from the same stable as that of Claridge’s, The Connaught and The Berkeley, this hotel strikes a completely different look. It’s resolutely modern and overhangs the cliffs as if it’s about to tumble down them at any moment. As someone who doesn’t like… Continue Reading “Trip to the Maybourne Riviera”
Trip to Opera de Nice
Located at the entrance of Vieux Nice, the Opera Nice Côte d’Azur is a real architectural masterpiece laden with history, which since 1885 has hosted a variety of ballets, operas and symphonies though I’ve previously only been here for sporting events! We enjoyed watching… Continue Reading “Trip to Opera de Nice”
Trip to Wallace Collection
Before getting stuck into my pre-Christmas trip to the Alps, there are a couple of leftover visits I need to address from our London trip. I’ve visited the Wallace Collection many times for two reasons: it was close to where we used to live… Continue Reading “Trip to Wallace Collection”
The Bars where Hemingway drank
It sometimes seems that wherever we go we’re following in the footsteps of one Ernest Hemingway, particularly when it comes to bars! The Nobel Prize–winning author could not only write, but drink way better than most. From his time in places like Paris, South of France,… Continue Reading “The Bars where Hemingway drank”
Yet another Postcard from Alassio
We’ve just spent a few days in one of our happy places but we’ve visited so often in recent years that I’ve run out of things to write about Alassio, and its neighbours. And I must’ve taken photos of pretty much every door in… Continue Reading “Yet another Postcard from Alassio”
One from the vaults: Postcard from Castres
This post is from November 2015, seven years ago. I’ve decided it deserves another run-out largely because my beloved has finally concluded a deal with the client he first visited on this trip. Proving that persistence (and patience) does indeed pay dividends. It seems… Continue Reading “One from the vaults: Postcard from Castres”
A wander around the Bourse
The Bourse neighbourhood, named after the former Paris stock exchange once located in the majestic Palais Brogniart, occupies the 2nd arrondissement’s middle swath. Here are the city’s largest concentration of 19th century historic glass-roofed arcades (precursors to our modern indoor shopping malls). How it… Continue Reading “A wander around the Bourse”
Trip to The Ritz, Paris
We’re slowly but surely working our way around some of the best hotels in Paris. On our most recent trip we ate lunch in the Bar Vendôme of The Ritz in the city’s 1st arrondissement. How it all began The hotel is in the Place Vendôme… Continue Reading “Trip to The Ritz, Paris”
Trip to Gare de Lyon
Located in the heart of 12th arrondissement of Paris, Gare de Lyon welcomes 110 million visitors a year. Trains depart to serve central-eastern and south-eastern France. Built in 1855, and redesigned by the Toulon architect Marius Toudoire for the Universal Exhibition of 1900, the… Continue Reading “Trip to Gare de Lyon”
Trip to Le Musée des Arts décoratifs
The Musée des Arts décoratifs is dedicated to the exhibition and preservation of the decorative arts. Located at 107 Rue de Rivoli in Paris’ 1st arrondissement, it occupies the most north-western wing of the Louvre, known as the Pavillon de Marsan. With over one million objects in its… Continue Reading “Trip to Le Musée des Arts décoratifs”
View from the Back 