The French Riviera – A Mini Vacation

Whilst away on my little mini vacation I asked myself what is it I love so much about the French Riviera or also known as la Côte d’Azur. Is it just the weather and that incredible light that so many of the famous artists were consumed by? Surely it must be more than that.

Actually, for me it’s the pure escapism and the feeling of home from home. I tend to escape to la Côte d’Azur when I need to chill out, relax and simply have the need to just ‘be’. A mere 90 minutes from Heathrow on a plane and you find yourself in one of the most stunning corners of Europe. Within 5 minutes of exiting the airport I have my rental car waiting for me and 15 minutes later I’m driving on the Promenade Des Anglais in Nice. Voilà, you have arrived and the holiday can begin.

Here’s a little photo journal of my trip. I’ll never tire of this view.

View from the Promenade Des Anglais

Corniche Bas

Villefranche Sur Mer

Hand made chalk in an artshop in Nice

I was very inspired by the flowers pic at the top of the post.

The most wonderful serene house with a gorgeous view in Cap D’Ail.

Just had to stop and snap these windows in a little mews in Antibes.

I do have a slight obsession with windows and houses like these here in Beaulieu. They are no end inspiration for my sketches.

Here’s the inspiration in sketch format.

The coloured version.

Colourful wool at La Droguerie in Nice.

I bought these feathers from La Droguerie. So delicate.

Sitting by the harbour is one of my favourite things to do. A little artistic license here with the sky.

The weather was like in summer and if truth be told, I didn’t really want to come home!