I think about, if you hear the phrases French Riviera, you conjure photographs of heat sandy seashores and sunworshippers, night walks by means of heat surf, lovely blue skies and wonderful sunsets, wine and succulent seafood. Possibly Marseille involves thoughts, the biggest port in France and a bustling fishing and seafood middle. Or Saint-Tropez with scorching days underneath intense blue skies the place celebrities, fashionistas and luxurious yacht abound. Maybe Cannes, with its extensive pristine seashores, well-known promenade la Croisette, unique retailers and personal golf equipment going through the bay, le Souquet excessive above the town providing an unobstructed view of paradise, and the Lerin Islands solely 18 minutes offshore. Or Good, with its day by day markets which embrace meals, flowers and antiques, and eating places specialising in Provençal meals.
However there are and cities alongside the French Riviera that provide a slower tempo of life, and maybe much less conspicuous consumption, akin to Mandelieu-la-Napoule, situated west of Cannes, a comparatively unknown coastal treasure.
My pal Frank and I had accomplished afternoon courses in a French language faculty in Cannes and determined that we would have liked a break. We have been in our third week, a part of a month-long-study of French. Since Frank had studied within the faculty over a number of previous summers in Cannes, he was accustomed to a number of the lesser-known Riviera cities. “That is the place,” he mentioned, “we will calm down, unwind and revel in less-crowded seashores and late dinners with some rosé or pastis and bouillabaisse!” I readily agreed.
The identify Mandelieu means a spot of command, referring to the seat of energy of the rulers within the Center Ages. The Château de la Napoule, a fortified citadel constructed within the 14th century was constructed over an historic Roman basis, and have become the medieval fortress of the Counts of Villeneuve. The château was destroyed in the course of the French Revolution, solely a Roman Tower from the 14th century and an eleventh century Saracen Tower stay of the construction.
Within the Nineteen Twenties, Henry Clews Jr (son of rich New York banker, Henry Clews) and his spouse Marie, designed and completely renovated the château and turned it into their house. Right now, the château boasts a cloister, Gothic model eating room, modern bedrooms, a sublime terrace going through the Mediterranean Sea with a non-public tearoom, and Henry Clews Jr.’s studio. A reasonably profitable painter, sculptor and architect, his artwork is displayed all through the rooms. His stays – and people of Marie – are interred in separate tombs which Henry designed and sculpted, presumably with Marie’s approval! She designed the attractive gardens exterior the chateau which embrace a topiary of sculpted bushes and vegetation and a number of other small ponds. The chateau is now a museum and a nonprofit arts basis administered by Henry and Marie’s descendants.
Mandelieu-la-Napoule is the mimosa capital of the world, supplying a lot of the parfumeries of close by Grasse and each winter, from January to March, shiny, blooming mimosa bushes cowl the hills of Mandelieu. Initially dropped at the world from Australia within the nineteenth century, Mandelieu-la-Napoule now has the biggest variety of mimosa bushes in Europe. Due to its significance to the native tradition and financial system, the mimosa flower has its personal pageant, inaugurated in 1931. La Fête du Mimosa (the Mimosa Pageant) is a ten-day celebration held every February, with weekend parades, marching bands and floats adorned with or constituted of mimosa flowers.
San Peyre
Really feel like strolling? San Peyre park, 131 meters (430 ft) above sea degree, overlooks three areas: Argentière, the plains of Siagne and la Napoule. Its unobstructed views provide spectacular sights of the Estérel massif, Iles de Lérin generally known as Ste. Marguerite and St. Honorat, and the Baie of Cannes. A gently sloping path leads you thru pine and mimosa bushes, and on the summit, the ruins of the outdated fortress await.
Get in a spherical of golf
Opened in 1891, Mandelieu’s golf course is likely one of the oldest and busiest in Europe, and the premier course in France. There are literally three programs to problem totally different potential ranges, masking 74 hectares, every with over 4,000 umbrella pines. Throughout your spherical of golf, you’ll cross the Siagne Riviere on a ferry boat…an uncommon function! When you play in the course of the winter season – as many do – you may be enveloped by the scents of pine bushes and mimosa flowers.
Diving Websites
Underwater diving (Sous-marine) is an excellent solution to uncover and benefit from the unique richness of Mandelieu’s marine life. Diving golf equipment provide secure coaching and excursions year-round.
The Massif de l’Esterel
The Mediterranean coastal mountain vary is a wealthy purple shade due primarily as a result of presence of rhyolite within the volcanic rocks. Deep ravines and oak forests cowl the rugged massif. Beware: The very best level of the massif is Mont Vinaigre 618 metres (over 2,000 ft), a problem to many guests.
The massif covers an space of 320 km² (123.5 sq. miles) of which 130 km² (50 sq. miles) are protected by the Forêt domaniale de l’Esterel (Nationwide Forest). Mountain climbing and mountain biking trails are plentiful. When you favor a beach-level street, take the Corniche d’Or which connects the coast and Île d’Or, Saint-Raphaël and Cannes.
Native Seashores
In Mandelieu-la-Napoule, one can find 9 public seashores, that are small and barely crowded. Rague and Raguette unfold earlier than a rocky spur and require following a twisted path by means of rock. The Plage de Robinson is the biggest, spreading beside the mouth of the Siagne Riviere. This seaside, with pristine sand, is protected by breakwaters that block offshore currents. There are additionally three non-public seashores the place you possibly can hire you loungers and parasols, and every seaside is near a restaurant.
Pointe de l’Aiguille
On the headland simply previous Théoule-sur-Mer, the purple Estrerel slopes plunge into the ocean. This part of the shoreline is preserved as a park. No boats are allowed, making the coves wonderful for snorkelling. A pure rock arch stands on the west facet, created although millennia by the pounding of the ocean.
Grasse
The fragrance capital of France, Grasse is the place a lot of the mimosa flowers from Mandelieu-la-Napoule are distilled and became extremely fascinating perfumes by skilled ‘noses’. Unique perfumeries like Fragonard, Molinard and Galimard share a few of their magical secrets and techniques and entice you into creating your individual private scent…yours perpetually, for a worth! The city can be value a wander.
John Pekich is an writer, educator, actor and longtime francofile with a particular affinity for the South of France. He could also be reached at cal20j01@aol.com.
