“Our happiest moments as tourists always seem to be when we stumble upon one thing while in pursuit of something else" - Lawrence Block
After a refreshing coffee stop, we met our local tour guide near Port Vauban. We soon recognized why this port was referred to as Billionaires’ Quay! As one of the biggest marinas on the French Riviera, this port has space for over 1,000 boats, and is home to the largest yachts in the word! Antibes offers an astounding 48 beaches along its coastline for those interested in spending a relaxing afternoon in the sun. Picasso also had a six month residency in Antibes in 1946, leaving behind several treasures in the form of paintings, drawings, and ceramics.
Day 4 - Antibes and the Picasso Museum
The Picasso Museum
Ashley, the art lover, has also been looking forward to this day. Picasso is one of her favorite artists and this is a unique opportunity to see works that have never been seen elsewhere. Mike, on the other hand, is still thinking about Monaco!
The Picasso Museum contains one of the largest Picasso collections in the world. The stunning building is home to a variety of mediums, notably 80 ceramics, 44 drawings, 32 lithographs, 24 paintings, and more. Our tour guide discussed the history of this famous Spanish painter who actually spent the majority of his adult life in France. He had several artistic styles, and several female lovers that influenced his work. But one of the most interesting policies of the Picasso Museum is the art is permanent and not allowed to travel per a directive from Picasso himself. “If you want to see the Picassos from Antibes, you have to see them in Antibes” Pablo Picasso |
Le Marche Provencal (The Market)
After the Picasso Museum, we walked through the local market for lunch. The market is a dynamic experience for your senses! The sights, sounds, and smells will inspire you to try unique cuisine from the area without hesitation! Daniela walked us past each vendor and emphasized foods that were distinctive to the French Riviera. There was such an air of excitement and inquisitiveness, everyone purchased something unique prior to heading back to Nice.
Le Bistro Du Fromager
We found it! As we ecstatically burst into the door, we saw a single table and a window into the kitchen. Had we not known there was seating downstairs, it may have been a restaurant we easily passed up. We were greeted with huge smiles, the hostess accommodating us with a table for two without a reservation on a busy night. We made our way into the underground wine cellar; eyes wide open with eagerness to see what was around each next corner! The atmosphere was better than we could have ever imagined! Our server greeted us with menus, every item contained cheese (being from Wisconsin, it really felt like home!) and his suggestion for the perfect wine pairings. This was a night to remember!
Daily Snapshot
~Ashley encouraged Mike to take a day off from lugging his camera and equipment around since pictures could not be taken in the Picasso Museum. However, when we saw Billionaires’ Quay, we knew we made a mistake! Bring your camera everywhere!
~Revisiting the fact we wished we would have reviewed the Rick Steves’ materials with a little more advanced notice, Ashley did not realize how close Antibes was to Cannes. Ashley, being a supporter of the arts, is a Milwaukee Film Club Member and would have loved to see Cannes, home of the Cannes Film Festival, which was just a train stop away. By the time she realized the proximity, the train schedule did not line up to allow for a quick visit. ~Take advantage of the fresh market, purchase something and take back with you for a snack even if you aren’t hungry right then and there. (Which is impossible if your tour guide takes you through as thorough as Daniela!) ~Be persistent in your travels. If there is something that interests you and you can’t find it the first day, try, try again! It is worth it! |