Wednesday, May 28, 2025

A Trip to Nice, France…

 Côte d’Azur

Nice

May 20-23, 2025

Côte d’Azur
Nice, France

John came back to Pau from Sierra Madre and we settled into the “new” apartment. Before life got too hum drum, we planned a trip to Nice, to join up with Tamara and Jon to visit with Olivia who is living there with her domestic partner, Thibault.

It will be a quick trip to see the “kids” and to catch up. We hadn’t seen Tamara and Jon in two or three years.  Olivia came to visit us last year when we were in Pau.  We missed meeting Thibault because he just left to do his first international presentation in Montreal for his thesis.  (Next time, we shall meet him)

——

On Tuesday, April 20, at 6:30 pm we catch the bus to Toulouse then to Nice - a trip about 14 hours long… 
The bus ride to Nice was brutal; first to Toulouse for a 3 hour layover, then an 8 hour overnight to Nice

Toulouse Station

We have dinner across from the Gare/station on our 3 hour layover.

Mojitos make the 3 hours seem shorter


Fish and chips are ordered

John appears happy


At midnight, we get on the bus to Nice.

There is light, so we must be close

We arrive at the Nice Airport.


After finding our BnB…
Before her parents arrive, Olivia meets us at the Farmer’s Market.


We had lunch and walked along the boardwalk…
What a beautiful beach front and we realize why it’s called the Côte d’Azur



Olivia leaves us so we can nap and settle into our BnB 
while she meets her parents at the airport.

Our view

Once we all have napped and cleaned up a bit, we meet for something to eat along the sea shore.


The “Girls”
Tamara & the Tapas





The Crew
Jon, Susie and John
Tamara and Olivia


After a full evening of catching up, laughing at each other, eating and enjoying each other’s company, we retreat to sleep and then meet for the next day of more visiting.

Jon has a doctor’s appointment so we are on our own for the morning. We sleep and gather ourselves in this tiny but lovely BnB.



We meet for a bite to eat and then a walk to the castle ruins for the views of the city.

Garibaldi Square
Our meeting place today


We climb the steps up to the Castle ruins and see the city below.

The castle 1625


The ruins 2025

We make it to the top…



The harbor view




❤Olivia and her Dad
Jon and his daughter💖

On top of the World!
Olivia, Jon and Tamara

Tamara, Susie, Olivia and John (Grandpa)

After a hardy meal of pizzas and salads, a climb up to the Castle Ruins we find ourselves at sea level among the buildings of Old Nice.


Before going back to our BnBs, we make a stop at Thibault’s Family Book Store that has been in the family for 100 years.

A LA SORBONNE-BROUILLON DE CULTURE


John bought this book.

We retreat back to our BnBs to clean up and rest for the evening.

Our final gathering along the waterfront bistro…

Last views of Le Côte d’Azur

My favorite son-in-law and Me!


A lovely visit. Short but sweet. Until next year or next time.

Last look at the BnB


On our way home on the bus


We had a lovely time with the kids.  It’s really wonderful to be able to share this time with loved ones here in the beauty of France.

****

Next blog…
Our trip to Spain
June 5-10, 2025


No comments:

Post a Comment