frenchrivieraforjim - Tumblr blog

[frenchrivieraforjim]

Our good luck with the weather ran out at the final port of call in Italy at Livorno. Our 2 day stop was cut short due to heavy winds and rain. We missed out on Florence as Pisa was Day 1. I knew Pisa was a waste of time in advance and took no pictures in protest. Classic tourist trap with nothing to see or do except for the display of incompetent geotechnical engineering. Be forewarned.

The French Riviera was of course no disappointment as we anchored in the small harbour at Villefranche between Nice and Monaco. Ditched the tours and did our own thing today. That is….. except for gramma boarding the lifeboat for a quick tender ride to the beach

One of the advantages of a smaller ship is that we docked everywhere but here. However we both enjoyed the tender for something different. After 30 years piloting the tinfish gramma impressed everyone with her sea legs. Next we hoofed along the beach and then up a mountain to see the Rothschild museum and gardens.

About 10 C and brisk winds but we were thrilled to be far from the madding crowd today. Once we made to the top above Cap Ferrat….. our ship rather small.

Now the interesting story begins. In 1907, Beatrice, the 42 year old daughter of Baron Rothschild needed a change. Fresh off a divorce and other disappointments in her life, she purchased an 8 acre plot atop the hill near Villefranche/Cap Ferrat for her new home and gardens. We entered the grounds with strong winds and this was the best hairdo shot you will see today folks

Beatrice of course built a beautiful home which was filled with priceless artwork and statues. She lived alone but in style

Views from every angle in every direction. She never remarried but did share the house with 2 monkeys and other animals exotic and mundane. Although the dogs did not enjoy the glamorous wedding that she hosted for 2 of them. It is the gardens that are simply astounding even in February. Let’s start with Japanese cheery blossoms

Cyclamens(sp?) framing the water features in front of Beatrice’s home.

Special sections for each corner of the globe plus sculpture and other outdoor artwork

Damn Khardhasian gets in the way again. And finally we were treated with a beautiful fountain dance set to music. With her horticultural paradise and treasured objects d’art….. Beatrice found her peace here until she died in 1933.

So Beatrice learned what I did, that the beauty of art and nature, coupled with the love of a good woman ( or quite a few of them in her case) can heal all wounds.