New Year on the Cote D'Azure

Tracy and Sydney walking in Antibes

We have been to the South of France for holidays and house sits in the past but with a new client situated in Vence, in between Nice and Antibes, we found loads of places that we  hadn't visited before.

We went inland, away from the more familiar seaside towns, and found towns impossibly perched on top of  rocky promontories,  Gourdon is one example, a number of bastide towns, Turettes-Sur-Loup being our favourite.

The light and weather is unique in this part of the country and we enjoyed a respite from the dull, cold weather we normally experience in January.  It was cold enough for snow on the surrounding ski slopes, but down at the sea shore it was very pleasant.

Tracy enjoying the January sunshine

Our charge was a young jack russell who was impossible to wear out, so we all enjoyed some great walks in the mountains, with fabulous views out to sea, we looked at the huge houses clustered around the Cap Ferrat, there is a footpath around the cliffs of the Cap. We went to Menton one of the last towns before the Italian boarder.  There is an annual lemon festival held here in February,  we will try to get to see it one year.

Della and Sydney on a walk to St Paul de Vence

As well behaved dogs are allowed in restaurants in this part of France, we were able to visit a favourite vegetarian restaurant called Chez Helen in Antibes, it is a modest place, but the food is excellent as well as the service.  We really got the most out of our time here as we were able to take the dog everywhere with us, and being so young, it gave him different experiences.  We walked along the beach at Cagnes Sur Mer, we hiked the mountain trails and followed the coastal paths.  We are looking forward to seeing Sydney again in the future for more exploring.