Cassis
Don’t miss this!
Buy the boat tour!
-the expensive one!
Go to the free museum
Pack a lunch, take a hike.
Stick your toes in the sand.
Walk your way!
Sit on the lighthouse steps.
Cassis
Wow, I love this city. Not only is it incrediably close to my current front door step but it feels full of life. Most water cities have this same sense of richness (not only wealth) this city is rich with joy, overflowing with a yearning to explore. The whole city can be done in a day, a few hours really. The best part is if you walk to the city center from the gare (train station) you walk through tree lined arch ways with vineyard homes on either side. Gravel drive ways lined with trees and growing grapes as far as you can see. My friend and I joked that this is our future husbands future home, I think what attracted us was the sense of stability. To have an operation like this takes time commitment. What man has that these days. These homes seem to be passed down. I can imagine thanksgivings with homemade wine and fresh bread, olive oil made from your neighbors a little old man with a smile that lights up your face. This normalcy is so appealing. Especially when your life is whirlwind of travel. When consistency seems like a long ago dream along with slim jims and any other american food. France really needs to try Chick-fil-a.Inspiration captured by: Kerry Charlotte & Jamayla Allen
Lyon
Architects!
Don’t miss this!
See the bridges
Work out on Croix Rousse
Ride the old underground
Climb the Only Lyon sign
Visit where the rivers meet
Under 25? Free museum
Lyon Light Festival
Lyon
We hoped Lyon would light up for us but because of recent tragedies the Fete Des Lumieres was canceled. We weren’t going to let this stop us from visiting! When I arrived before J, I walked back through the train station which lead to two iron sculptures and to my luck a cook off to raise money for a local charity. One large cup of soup and a crepe later I was ready for the day, once J arrived we hoped in the mall before my interview with Jean Laferriere. A must in Lyon is to walk the giant hill the Croix Rousse, difficult but so worth it. On the way there is a few look out points. Then ride the quick underground back, this is one of the oldest in France and it is funny to open the doors and be on such a hill. Jean and I had a wonderful interview before I wandered back home. The light festival might have been off but at least a few people participated, there were Chinese lanterns on one street and bulbs hanging from trees on others. The next we made our way to the Christmas market, small and cute. Then we stopped by the ancient
Inspiration captured by: Jamayla Allen
Marseille
Don’t miss this!
Notre Dame
Calanques
Marseille
Marseille Marseille Marseille. What to say about Marseille. The 3rd biggest city in France or 2nd depending on who you ask. Lyon is in competition for the spot. What ever the size, it’s most culturally the most diverse city in France. It was awarded this last year. Which I guess could explain why it doesn’t feel french one bit. Someone else said this city was the most underrated city in the world, the hidden gem of the world. All I can say is it is full of Mediterranean middle eastern people, and kebab sandwiches. All nice as can be. However like I said the city doesn’t seem french. I guess its all about perspective. The main parts are dirty but where isn’t is amazing. The best food I had was cous cous or a curry filled dish from a perfectly decorated restaurant, hopefully will post photos soon. I guess you see what you think though. At first being under impressed was a burden. The city seemed gloomier every time I came. The flight in is breathtaking. Ill tell ya. The mountains kissing the sea brushed with every color grey. It astonished me. You almost forget its a big city. Once I changed my outlook the things I looked at changed.
Nice
Don’t miss this!
take the bus
go to the beach
sun bath on the rocks
chill at the docks
walk the shore
find escargot
go to the lit up buddahs
try the antiqe market
Nice
More about Nice coming soon!
Inspiration captured by: Jamayla Allen
Menton
Don’t miss this!
car ride lookout point
walk the shore of the beach
fountain plaza
apricot pastry
Jardin Bioves
Menton
On our way to Menton we took a Bla Bla car this was both of our first experience and it was a good one. The dirve up was mostly high way but we stopped at a gas station about 10 minutes out where there was a great look out point where you could see all of Menton! We were awake and excited by this point! We were dropped off in city center, right next to a really cool church painted a salmon pick with lots of arches and huge palm trees. There was a metal gate with spikes and beautiful molding. Further down the street we could see the beach so we went immediately, we decided not to get in just to save us from getting all dirty. We wandered for something to eat and popped into a few design places along the way, . Menton had some fun unique stuff though. There was a really nice purple beach table set and lots of cheery accesories. we both had giant backpacks on in fear of breaking everything we didn’t stay long . We got to a perfect intersection where we could see both the mountain and the sea. We were in heaven! “This is exactly the kind of place I want to live.” Kate said almost 10 times. Then we found this cool little park with a plaza of fountains and some simple sculptures. There was also a gazebo and a huge twisted tree you could climb into. It was very zen. It seemed like nothing ever went wrong in this city. Kate and I are can make friends with anyone or anything, and we pet every dog we encounter. In the distance we saw a huge dog, but wait.. is that a dog? We both were stunned. It couldn’t be? It had ears like a wolf, walked like a wolf. Could this really be little italian guy walking a wolf on a leash! It came closer and we asked him to pet him and the wolf shyed away. We were sure this was a wolf now, the teeth were differant the eyes too. We got to chatting and be friended this guy immediantly, we really wanted to pet this wolf. To our suprise he left the wolf off ofhis leash to run and play and he came back when Nady called. We were still hungry and asked where a good place to eat is, he insisted that he take us to Italy, just over the border for pizza. On our walk to the station we passed lots o fbeautiful things. It was just a short train ride away. The city is Ventimillga and that part of our story is in the Ital section! Please feel free to check it both times I traveled there! Once we returned back to Menton the boys offered to let us stay in the living room, which was so so sweet. We hoped the wolf would cuddle us, but it didn’t happen. The twins lived directly on the beach! We were so lucky to They cooked us Italian spaghetti and we ate it on the patio with the sound of the ocean, it was so calming. We could even spot a few far off boats here and there. The twins taught us a few words in Italian and a few words in French, all that we butchered I am sure. After listening to music all night we were off to bed. The next morning we went down the street to a sweet little bakery. Kate ordered this deliscious apricot pastery that she has been looking to mimoc every since. It trip wrapped up with good laughs, coffee and lots of grey wolf hair on my leggings. Then we were off to Monaco!!!
bright bulding.
the plaza
Inspiration captured by: Kerry Charlotte
Nimes
Don’t miss this!
Find the fountain.
Leads you to the coliseum.
Nimes
Small cities like this are so quaint. I appreciate it. You are not distracted by the hustle and bustle. You are alone with your thoughts, but still in conversation with the group of five. Your home should feel like this. A place of peace but a place to be social. Balancing your life in your home should not be a worrisome task, finding small spaces to delegate are essential. In Nimes, we wandered and found the coliseum, there they set up the farris wheel right next to it. What a nice contrast, a fun surprise. We went to two cities on this day. Both with big red doors on the chapels, a staple here in Europe. You can’t help but fall in love with them and it is impossible to pick just one. Between the few we stumbled upon the most attractive had a more maroon red. Stunningly, it makes the iron work of the doors pop that much more. Mixing iron and warm colors gives a much more authentic feel, taking you back in time.
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