Josephine Baker 1906 - 1975

Above, you see part of the grave of the Josephine Baker, which she shares with her fourth husband, the orchestra director, Jo Bouillon. Singer, entertainer, civil rights activist, humanitarian, Josephine Baker was easily the most successful black woman of her time . Born Freda Carson into poverty in St. Louis, Missouri, her ticket out was her comedic and dance abilities, which powered her rise to early American fame on Broadway. Tiring of performing in demeaning minstrel reviews, she jumped at the chance of a career in Paris where the Jazz Age fuelled heady interest in the then sensual and exotic African-American culture. She was known as the girl 'who danced her way through the 20s and 30s dressed in bananas.' (Click on THIS LINK to see a YouTube performance).

Josephine Baker was very close to the Principality of Monaco. After she was bankrupted, following the badly handled management of her well-known estate in the Dordogne, where her 'Rainbow Tribe, the 12 multi-ethnic children she had adopted, used to live. She sought to prove that children of different ethnicities and religions could be brothers. She was helped by Princess Grace of Monaco, who offered her a life-long accommodation in Roquebrune-Cap-Martin and invited her on several occasions to take part in charity performances. A moving anecdote from the artist's life in 1974: at the opening of the Sporting Monte Carlo, Josephine Baker stood in for Sammy Davis Junior, who'd been taken ill at the last minute. He should have been the star performer at the Monegasque Red Cross Gala. Retired from the stage, the artist rose to the challenge and made an unexpected comeback, amazing the audience who gave her an incredible ovation. The following year, during a final Parisian revue based on her life, she suffered a stroke following her final performance and died three days later. You can read more about this amazing woman at THIS LINK.

Sergeant Louis Prouven

Why this young man has a blackened face, I don't know. I noticed several statues in the cemetery suffering this affliction - pollution, perhaps?

Louis Prouven died in the Battle of Verdon, at Fleury in the Meuse in August 1916. I don't know why, but graves from the Great War, that terrible war (as if all wars aren't terrible) affect me greatly. You can see another at Menton Daily Photo HERE.

His Excellency, le Baron Edouard Imberty

Prepare for a few days more at the cemetery - I'm on a roll...

This imposing sepulchre is in honour of the Baron Edouard Imberty, who was born in Menton in 1806 and died in Monaco in 1874. He was the Governor General of the Principality of Monaco and the ex-President of the Tribunal and had many honours bestowed on him by Turkey and Tunisia, amongst others as well as the Legion of Honour. There is a Rue Imberty in Monaco, presumably named after him.

Daily Photo Theme Day: Cemeteries/Tombstones

Monaco's cemetery is situated just below the Princess Grace Hospital. Not the greatest placement of a hospital, I'd venture to say. Perhaps there was no choice - the Principality of Monaco, after all, is very small. So there you are, sick in your hospital bed - you look out of the window and there before you is the glorious Mediterranean, but look down and you realise you are staring at descending terraces of graves. Several famous people are buried in the graveyard: Josephine Baker, the entertainer and Leo Ferré, the designer amongst them. This grave belongs to the Famille Ange Giordino. I'll post more photos from this beautiful cemetery over the coming days.

Today, being the 1st of the month, is Daily Photo Theme Day. Do please take time to visit the other cities in the Daily Photo family taking part in today's theme:

St. Louis (MO), USA - San Diego (CA), USA - Cleveland (OH), USA - New York City (NY), USA - Boston (MA), USA - Mainz, Germany - Hyde, UK - Arlington (VA), USA - Cape Town, South Africa - Saint Paul (MN), USA - Toulouse, France - Arradon, France - Menton, France - Monte Carlo, Monaco - Montego Bay, Jamaica - Ampang (Selangor), Malaysia - Joplin (MO), USA - Cottage Grove (MN), USA - Bellefonte (PA), USA - Mexico (DF), Mexico - Seattle (WA), USA - Baziège, France - Baltimore (MD), USA - Chandler (AZ), USA - Sequim (WA), USA - Stayton (OR), USA - Stockholm, Sweden - Austin (TX), USA - Singapore, Singapore - Greenville (SC), USA - Wassenaar (ZH), Netherlands - Nashville (TN), USA - Tenerife, Spain - Manila, Philippines - Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia - Jacksonville (FL), USA - River Falls (WI), USA - Chateaubriant, France - Quincy (MA), USA - Rabaul, Papua New Guinea - Buenos Aires, Argentina - Crystal Lake (IL), USA - Inverness (IL), usa - Lubbock (TX), USA - Phoenix (AZ), USA - Moscow, Russia - Norwich (Norfolk), UK - Crepy-en-Valois, France - Minneapolis (MN), USA - New Orleans (LA), USA - Montréal (QC), Canada - West Sacramento (CA), USA - Toruń, Poland - Philadelphia (PA), USA - Christchurch, New Zealand - London, England - Paderborn, Germany - The Hague, Netherlands - Selma (AL), USA - Sunderland, UK - Kyoto, Japan - Tokyo, Japan - Stavanger, Norway - Fort Lauderdale (FL), USA - Weston (FL), USA - Portland (OR), USA - Forks (WA), USA - Saint-Petersburg, Russian Federation - Maple Ridge (BC), Canada - Boston (MA), USA - Sydney, Australia - Wellington, New Zealand - Montpellier, France - Jackson (MS), USA - Wailea (HI), USA - Petaling Jaya (Selangor), Malaysia - Evry, France - Saarbrücken, Germany - New York City (NY), USA - Santa Fe (NM), USA - North Bay (ON), Canada - Melbourne, Australia - Port Vila, Vanuatu - Cypress (TX), USA - Saint Louis (MO), USA - Paris, France - San Diego (CA), USA - Wichita (Ks), USA - Haninge, Sweden - Prague, Czech Republic - Zurich, Switzerland - Budapest, Hungary - Paris, France - Saigon, Vietnam

Japanese Garden - 6: Humidity

Somehow this reminds me of exotic climes, humidity, maybe a humming bird or a parrot will fly out of a bush. Perhaps we are in Naples, Florida with Isabella? But no, we are in the Japanese Garden on Avenue Princesse Grace in Monte Carlo.

Cathedral

The Cathedral of Monaco, situated on Le Rocher, was built in 1875 using white stone from La Turbie. It stands on the site of a 13th century church dedicated to Saint Nicolas and houses the tombs of the former Princes of Monaco. It is also the final resting place of Monaco's much-loved Princess Grace and her husband, Prince Rainier, who died in 2005.

Place d'Armes

This is the Place d'Armes in Monaco, where the market is held each day. Here you see it without the market stalls. The colour of the shutters, the decoration and the ironwork is typical of many buildings in Monaco and the south of France. So pretty, don't you think?

Monaco Yacht Show - 7

Beautiful girls and Big Boys' Toys seems to go together! At the Monaco Yacht Show, girls (and guys too) are employed to show potential buyers around the yachts. Note: I really don't know the status of this pretty lady.

The daughter of a friend of mine was working on one of the biggest of the massive super yachts and she explained that not 'anyone' can get aboard for a guided tour. Interested parties have first to make an appointment, at which time - presumably - their credentials are checked out.

Monaco Yacht Show - 6

Visitors are ferried from one side of the Monaco Yacht Show to another. There are several hop on and hop off points for this.

Monaco Yacht Show - 5

Champers, anyone?

Monaco Yacht Show - 4

Not the Monaco Yacht Show, as such, but a photo showing you many yachts who had to relinquish their regular moorings in Port Hercules for the duration of the show. This is a view of Monaco from Roquebrune, taken on my way to the show. You can see the port with its gleaming white yachts. Below you see the Lady Moura, also away from her regular berth.

Monaco Yacht Show - 3

Count the shoes and you know how many people are on board. Potential clients perhaps? All the yachts had baskets ready to receive footware - some looked like dog baskets to me but I didn't see any dogs sitting in them.

Monaco Yacht Show - 2

Boats, blue skies, crowds, colour, buzz - but most of all - money, money, money.

Monaco Yacht Show - 1

Monte Carlo is big-time busy at the moment. Not a car park place to be had in the whole of the Principality, everything centres around the main port, Port Hercule, for the prestigious Monaco Yacht Show. So prepare yourself for a few days of beautiful boats and beautiful people watching. Here you see, on the right, the Wind, all 193 feet (59 metres) of super yacht. Cost to enter the show is 50 euros, half of which goes to a Monaco charity.

This photo was taken from below the casino area looking out beyond the Princess Grace Theatre and overlooking the port. The vertical wires are from a massive crane. Tomorrow and tomorrow - come back, I've much to show you from the red carpet.

Japanese Garden - 5

The tea house. Trees. Rocks. Water. Peace.

Anyone for tennis?

Taken from just above the Monte Carlo Country Club (home of the Monte Carlo Masters Series) the Principality of Monaco lies to the right of the photograph. You can see Monaco's newest hotel, the Monte Carlo Bay Resort, standing on the small promontory.

Advertised as 'the most beautiful tennis club in the world,' I don't think they are far wrong, do you? Here you see a father playing tennis with his son, the Mediterranean in all its beauty, below.

Doriana - 2

Notice the little chap in the middle of the photo. He's the Doriana's dog, a wire-haired dachshund. Later I saw him out walking with one of the crew. Click HERE to see him stretching his sea legs by the port of Monaco. You can also click on yesterday's link for the Doriana - then on 'photos' and you will find a photo of him (last pic) curled up in the middle of some ropes.

Doriana - 1

The Doriana was tying up in the port of Monaco when I took a group of photographs. This beautiful boat was probably in Monte Carlo for Le Classic Week,which is organised by the Monaco Yacht Club. The Doriana would be entered in the Belle Classe. Come back tomorrow and I'll show you what else was on board...and cute...

Japanese Garden - 4

A good place to stop, sit on a bench and have a chat - don't you think? The Japanese garden is beautiful but put it in this setting, right by the Mediterranean and it's mind-blowingly gorgeous.

(Thank you so much to everyone who has kindly posted comments whilst I've been away in England. I hope to catch up with your blogs today and tomorrow.)

Almost there

A luxury yacht on its way to the main harbour of Monaco. This photo was taken from the beautiful Japanese garden on Avenue Princesse Grace.

Let's do lunch!

Let's do lunch!

Tebe in Costume - 1982

This sculpture stands on Avenue d'Ostende overlooking the main port of Monaco. The Palace on Le Rocher is opposite. The artist is the well-known Italian sculptor, Giacomo Manzu (1908 - 1991).

Port Palace

The photo says it all really - a sunny day, sun umbrellas, lunch overlooking the port of Monaco.

Japanese Garden - 3

The red bridge in the Japanese garden on Avenue Princesse Grace. You can glimpse the sea through the trees.

Wheeeeeeeeeeee...

Isn't this fun? Photo taken from the Japanese gardens.

(Am away for a few days but will still be posting each day. Really sorry tho I won't be able to Comment. Will catch up on your wonderful blogs on my return).

Cruise Ship

Friends arrived yesterday on a cruise ship. Their ship, Seabourne Legend, is the smaller one at the end and takes only 208 passengers. The monster boat in the foreground is called 7 Seas Navigator and has facilities for 490 guests. This is the first time I've visited the digue (floating dock) - security is tough - I had to pass two sets of police to collect my friends but at the same time they were really friendly.

We don't like Japanese gardens anyway!

As you can see, dogs are not allowed in the Japanese garden, so the husband waits outside with the dogs whilst the wife looks around the beautiful gardens. Later, I saw this couple walking - one Yorkie was in a basket, another on lead. You can see more photos of these little dogs at Riviera Dogs.

Three nuns

Three nuns out for a night stroll on Le Rocher. They are walking away from the Oceanographic Museum towards the Cathedral.

Iron Woman

Last Sunday there was an International Ironman contest in Monaco. Competitors came from all over the world to compete in this prestigious triathlon. The winners had already reached Casino Square by the time I took this photo of a competitor running towards the tunnel from Avenue Princesse Grace. Sadly, wickedly, between 12 and 14 bikes were stolen the night before the contest - bikes valued at between 5,000 and 7,000 euros, so some athletes were unable to compete, others borrowed a bike but their performance suffered. An enquiry is taking place.

How to light a palace

The Palais Princier at night. On the right, you can see the statue of 'Malizia' - François Grimaldi.

Japanese garden - 2

The Japanese garden is just along from the Grimaldi Forum on the Avenue Princesse Grace. A wonderfully peaceful place to lie face down on a rock and have a chat with the koi carp.

'The Grace Kelly Years, Princess of Monaco'

This is the view from the bar on the first floor of the Grimaldi Forum in Monaco. It serves delicious sandwiches and is a great place to have a cool drink before visiting the amazing exhibition called 'The Grace Kelly Years, Princess of Monaco.' This wonderful exhibition, curated by Frédéric Mitterrand (nephew of the former President of France) took two glorious hours to walk around and to say it was moving is an understatement. If you happen to be in Monaco whilst it's still on, do visit.

The strange looking V shaped object to the right is part of a sculpture standing on a lower level of the building.

Have a drink in this bar - you can sit at a table, at the bar or relax on one of these sunbeds if you want.

Japanese garden - 1

A view from one side of the Japanese garden in Monaco. In the distance: Cap Martin. I'll show you more of the really Japanese part of this beautiful garden another time - today I was in the mood for sea in the background!

Daily Photo Theme Day: Street Signs/Street Lights

If you have to have a heart attack, then Monte Carlo is probably the place to be - you are never far from a defibrillator. You'll find this group of signs on Le Rocher.

There are over 100 City Daily Photo bloggers participating in today's theme of Street Lights or Street Signs. Do take time to enjoy them:

Seattle (WA), USA - Ocean Township (NJ), USA - Cottage Grove (MN), USA - Cleveland (OH), USA - Menton, France - Monte Carlo, Monaco - Singapore, Singapore - Boston (MA), USA - Mexico (DF), Mexico - Kajang (Selangor), Malaysia - Mainz, Germany - Evry, France - Port Angeles (WA), USA - Sequim (WA), USA - Maple Ridge (BC), Canada - Nottingham, UK - Toulouse, France - Wassenaar (ZH), Netherlands - Manila, Philippines - Mumbai, India - Montpellier, France - Bellefonte (PA), USA - Stayton (OR), USA - Moscow, Russia - Paris, France - Saint Paul (MN), USA - Austin (TX), USA - Lyon, France - Stockholm, Sweden - Hyde, UK - Hong Kong, China - Joplin (MO), USA - Seoul, South Korea - Chandler (AZ), USA - St. Louis (MO), USA - Arlington (VA), USA - Anderson (SC), USA - Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia - Villigen, Switzerland - Sydney, Australia - Ampang (Selangor), Malaysia - Montego Bay, Jamaica - Norwich (Norfolk), UK - San Diego (CA), USA - Bandung (West Java), Indonesia - Albuquerque (NM), USA - Melbourne, Australia - Nelson, New Zealand - Quincy (MA), USA - Kyoto, Japan - Tokyo, Japan - Bend (OR), USA - Wellington, New Zealand - New Orleans (LA), USA - Cypress (TX), USA - Nashville (TN), USA - Bucaramanga (Santander), Colombia - Detroit (MI), USA - Saigon, Vietnam - Selma (AL), USA - Phoenix (AZ), USA - Miami (FL), USA - Arradon, France - Sheki, Azerbaijan - New York City (NY), USA - Inverness (IL), usa - North Bay (ON), Canada - Melbourne, Australia - Port Vila, Vanuatu - Tenerife, Spain - Auckland, New Zealand - Forks (WA), USA - Rotterdam, Netherlands - Chateaubriant, France - Madison (WI), USA - Wailea (HI), USA - Orlando (FL), USA - Saint-Petersburg, Russian Federation - Ajaccio, France - Baltimore (MD), USA - Crepy-en-Valois, France - Rabaul, Papua New Guinea - Budapest, Hungary - Lyon, France - Saarbrücken, Germany - Adelaide (SA), Australia - Le Guilvinec, France - River Falls (WI), USA - Stavanger, Norway - Naples (FL), USA - London, UK - La Antigua, Guatemala - Philadelphia (PA), USA - Montréal (QC), Canada - Paris, France - San Diego (CA), USA - Trujillo, Peru - Haninge, Sweden - Prague, Czech Republic - Oslo, Norway - Grenoble, France - Shanghai, China - Toronto (ON), Canada - Durban, South Africa - Zurich, Switzerland

Les Pommes

This family sit on the edge of the grass in the Casino Gardens. I like the way they are so synchronised with the eating of their apples.

May the police force be with you...

This policeman is directing traffic in front of the port where the Fun Fair is in full swing. With his light sabre, perhaps he's really Darth Vader? May the police force be with you...

Climb!

We're back at the Children's Fun Fair in the Port. I wonder how many of these kids will grow up to be mountain climbers? When they get to the top, by the way, they abseil down - see below.

Pastels

A pretty street leading off the big square in front of the Palace. Even the colours of the walkers' clothes seem to blend with the pastels of the buildings.

People

The Metropole shopping center is currently displaying art work in painted aluminium by Stéphane Cipre. You will find another work by this artist at THIS LINK and THIS LINK.

Summer nights in Monaco

Part of the main port at night. Formula One enthusiasts will recognise the swimming pool in the lower right of the photo - the cars, of course, whizz right around it. In the foreground is part of the summer fun fair for children - you saw some bouncing kids the other day.

Sky Mirror

Sky Mirror, by the British (Mumbai-born) artist Anish Kapoor, consists of a concave mirror in polished stainless steel measuring 2.5 metres in diameter that 'makes the world turn upside down, giving the illusion of bringing the sky down to street level.' It stands in front of the Casino and has replaced Jean-Michel Folon's poetic Bird Fountain, which will displayed elsewhere in the Principality.

This sculpture was given to Monaco by Mrs. Lily Safra. The artist, a Turner prize-winner said, 'Lily saw Sky Mirror and decided to offer it as a gift to the Principality. Prince Albert was "brave" enough to exhibit it on the Place du Casino - such a symbolic setting of the Principality.'

Personally, I was bowled over by this sculpture. You'll see reflected in the mirror, the casino and terrace of the Café de Paris. The photo below shows the Casino in the background.

Bounce!

Most of the area in front of the port has been transformed into a children's playground. In the photo below you can see the trampolines where three happy kids can bounce at the same time. Wish I were a kid.....do you?

Concours International de Feux d'Artifice Pyromélodiques

Last night saw the final entry in this year's fireworks competition, a prestigious event in Monte Carlo. This year, the competitors were Germany, France, Russia and finishing, last night, with Hong Kong. France won the competition with 200 points, Hong Kong came second with 172, then Germany with 159 and finally Russia with 101 points. This photograph doesn't do justice to the evening. The fireworks, the colours, the music was just beautiful - almost like a ballet at times. I only realised this morning that I have a 'fireworks' setting on my camera but this photograph was about the sharpest photo I have, unfortunately not one with lots of colour. This was taken from the 11th floor of an apartment in front of the port, so I was lucky enough to have a great view. Great dinner on the terrace too! Everyone living around the port turns off their lights just before 10 p.m. and when the show is over (it last around half an hour) all the boats in the harbour sound their horns for at least five minutes, by way of thanks. It makes a sort of music. I found it very moving.

In the past, there have been a few dramas. One year most of the windows and glass doors blew out in some of the apartment buildings along the port! Another year a couple of apartments caught fire! I think though everything is now under control but never say never.

Driving home, I was stopped by the police - just a check on car documents - so there was much banter about which country was the best. The concierge in the apartment block I'd visited thought Hong Kong, the three young policeman said definitely France. And France it was.

'Malizia' - François Grimaldi - 1297

In the 12th century, the Geneose were granted sovereignty over the port and the Rock of Monaco by the Emperor of Germany. In 1215, the fortress (now the Prince's Palace) was built.

These were years of struggle between the Guelfs (partisans of the Pope) and the Ghibellines (supporters of the Emperor). In 1295, with the coming into power of the Ghibellines, the important Genoese Grimaldi family, who had taken the part of the Guelphs, were forced into exile in Provence and in 1297, Francesco Grimaldi, known as 'Malizia' (malice), disguised himself as a monk to gain entrance to the fortress. His ruse worked, the gates opened to let him in, thus enabling his soldiers to take the garrison by storm.

The two monks featured on the coat of arms of the Grimaldi family commemorate this battle. This statue stands outside the Palais Princier on Le Rocher.

Monte Carlo Ladies - 5

She sits on the terrace of the Café de Paris. She's beautiful. She may not be a Monte Carlo lady, of course - perhaps she's a visitor. She looks sad but she may not be - after all, it's not easy sitting alone at a table, unable to be animated, as she probably would with a companion. Is she waiting for someone?