07 January 2012

A Walk past David Niven's Villa


The enchanting walk from Beaulieu-sur-Mer to Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat takes you right past the pink villa that once belonged to David Niven.

06 January 2012

David Niven's Square


A door opens onto the small square at the back of David Niven's house which was named in his honour - Place David Niven.

The house itself is also a movie star, having appeared, with a cameo from Niven, in the otherwise unwatchable Trail of the Pink Panther (1983) . Peter Sellers had died, and Niven was dying, so the film is a morgue-like stitching together of old clips of Sellers, while Niven has his voice dubbed by someone else.> - thanks again to Alex Went and CityOutMonaco for the information.


05 January 2012

David Niven's House


David Niven's house at Cap Ferrat isn't easy to photograph. It nearly always in shade - and therefore doubtless cool in summer. Taking photos with the sun behind the house doesn't help. Anyway - here it is and you can see how idyllic it is.

Thanks to CityOutMonaco and editor, Alex Went for this information:

'Originally called Lo Scoglietto (Little Rock) with its private harbour, this beautiful pink Italianate villa was built in 1880 by Alfred Bounin, the son of an arms supplier to the Sardinian army, himself an olive oil trader from Nice.

In 1920, the villa was rented by Duchess of Marlborough, Mme Balsan, originally Consuelo Vanderbilt. It was extended in the 1950s and rented by Leopold III, King of the Belgians, one year before his abdication.

Later Lo Scoglietto was bought by the great Charlie Chaplin, and in 1960 he in turn sold it to the film actor David Niven, who was very much part of Princess Grace's social scene. Known for his gentlemanly appearance and clipped English accent, Niven had already enjoyed an immensely successful career starring, for example, in the Powell and Pressburger film A Matter of Life and Death (1946) and winning an Oscar for his performance in Separate Tables (1958).'

More tomorrow:

04 January 2012

David Niven's Window


We've popped along to Cap Ferrat today to David Niven's villa, originally called Lo Scoglietto (Little Rock). He bought it from Charlie Chaplin but its history goes back far beyond that.

Today: a bougainvillea-clad window to whet your appetite. Tomorrow: we'll see this beautiful house from the sea and learn more of its history.

The photos were taken in September but you'll find bougainvillea in flower in January too. My neighbour has a wall covered in it.

03 January 2012

All Ducked Out for Winter


If you want to get away from it all, go sit and watch the ducks in the pond at Fontvieille.

After a while, you begin to wonder if the best winter colours in fashion aren't right there before you...



02 January 2012

Wobbly Buildings


Wobbly buildings = a reflection at the port of Fontvieille.

01 January 2012

Favourite Photo of 2011


The 1st January is traditionally the day members of the City Daily Photo community choose their favourite photo of the previous year. My favourite has to be this one taken in November. I was drawn by the cloud formations and so walked towards the sea near to the heliport in Fontvieille. Standing there was this man, in perfect silhouette. I love that sky and the feeling of space - something we don't think of when we see the built-up nature of Monaco.

And for a little extra, I give you the joy on the faces of this mother and daughter as they played with bubbles at a festival on le rocher in summer.

Happy New Year to everyone (let's hope it brings peace to the crazy world of ours) and thankyou once again to readers of Monte Carlo Daily Photo - for your support, your comments, your private emails and encouragement - it really does mean so much to me.

Click here to view thumbnails for all participants.

31 December 2011

The End of the Year...


If you are celebrating tonight, have a wonderful time! Perhaps you'll visit Port Hercule where you'll see these two performers.

Happy New Year to everyone and let's hope this suffering world of ours finds peace and some common sense in 2012.

30 December 2011

The Ice Hockey Player


This little boy obviously intends to be an ice-hockey player when he grows up.

The last photo shows the ice rink in part sun and part shade. It must be such fun to skate with all those mega yachts in the background although I doubt the local kids even notice.

29 December 2011

One Boy, Two Shadows

A boy glides across the ice at Port Hercule - one boy, two shadows...

28 December 2011

Time for Tea


Mid-afternoon - time for tea, a hot chocolate or perhaps a glass of vino. The terrace of the Café de Paris is always a good choice as you can watch the world go by at the same time. As it does on Casino Square...

27 December 2011

The Frescoes


The facade of the Hôtel Hermitage was hidden from view for months and months earlier this year whilst the frescoes were being restored.

Here you see a tiny part of the finished result on one side of the building. Beautiful detail - no wonder it took so long.

26 December 2011

Girls and Boys Go Out to Play...


Christmas Fair on Port Hercule:

Some little girls love whizzing around on the swings and some little boys get dizzy and cry.

25 December 2011

Happy Christmas!


The windows of the Lanvin shop in Casino Square seem particularly apt to wish you a Happy Christmas!

And to say a big 'thankyou' to you, the loyal readers of Monte Carlo Daily Photo. I so appreciate all your visits, comments and encouragement. Have a wonderful day!

24 December 2011

Christmas at the Metropole Centre


Christmas at the Metropole Shopping Centre. The café you see on the lower level is where I took THIS PHOTO a couple of days ago.

23 December 2011

Bank Decor


A British bank in Monaco - hence the Monegasque flag and the Union Jack.

22 December 2011

Wine Time


This looks like a good idea after a morning's Christmas shopping. We are at the café on the lower floor of the Metropole centre.

21 December 2011

McDonald's in Monaco


A lot of people are surprised to discover there is a McDonald's in Monaco. It's in Fontvieille above the supermarket complex.

20 December 2011

Reindeers in Monaco?


You don't really expect to see a reindeer walking around Monte Carlo, do you?

19 December 2011

The Frozen Swimming Pool


In winter the swimming pool on Port Hercule is turned into an ice rink.
Related Posts with Thumbnails