Light, Shade and Calm

Everywhere you look in the Japanese Garden, you'll find perfect vistas, reflections, light, shade and calm.

Fractured Stone

More reflections from the Japanese Garden. Today: fractured stone.

The Reflection of Life

François Truffaut said:

 'I have always preferred the reflection of life to life itself.'

Le Tour Odeon

Well, it's hardly the most exciting photo in the world, is it?  But if you don't live in Monaco, or nearby, meet the Tour Odeon (Odeon Tower).

From Wikipedia:

Le Tour Odéon is a double-skyscraper currently being built in the Principality of Monaco. It's the first high-rise in the city-state to be built since the 1980s.  At 170 meters high, Tour Odeon will be the second tallest building on Europe's Mediterranean coast, after Gran Hotel Bali (186m) in Benidorm, Spain. Had Tour Odeon been built in neighboring France, it would be among that country's 10 highest buildings. It will be the 199th tallest building in the world - by floor count - upon its finish date.
Building Height : 170 meters, 50 floors.
259 residences, including 73 for-sale private luxury residences (including 2 Sky Duplex apartments of 1,200 m² each and 1 Sky Penthouse of 3,300 m² over 5 floors).
10 subterranean levels with 543 parking spaces.
Retail shops, offices and business centre. Wellness center including spa, a fitness center and a swimming pool.
Both the building's architecture and the shadows it casts on the cityscape have been criticized since the beginning of the project. In particular, residents of the adjacent French twon of Beausoleil have criticized the building for blocking the views and above all diminishing real estate values. An association was created, and the mayor called for discussions between French and Monegasque authorities.  After a construction incident, some locals attributed the tower the nickname 'Odious Tower' The project continued as planned.

Click on THIS LINK to read a Daily Mail piece about the  £250 million penthouse, the most expensive penthouse in the world! 

Getting the Lowdown ...

A view of the sea through the railings that are part of the wall overlooking Larvotto Beach.  That's the handrail running along the top.

Flower Lady

The flower lady at near Beausoleil market waits patiently ...

Courgette Flowers

Courgettes flowers. ( Zucchini in America). The smaller photos (posted a week ago) shows where them in context - the market of Beausoleil.

They are normally served as beignets (fritters) or stuffed and baked. And they are delicious!

Oleanders on the beach

Love the white oleanders on Larvotto Beach.

Blue Belt

Presumably this is a sort of floatation helt?  Really I don't know. Whether you can swim or not, I'd think it must be rather nice - just float and dream.

Note the cat on the earpiece of the headset - love it.

Ni Box - over the sea

Ni Box is where adolescents go to play: there's a bowling alley, video games, a discoteque and Life Club which is for clubbers.  Now they have this area over the sea.

Ni Box is the white building on the right of the smaller photo.

Lotus Land

The lotus has to be one of the most beautiful of flowers. 

Here it is in the Japanese garden and in all its stages of life:  the bud, the flower, and the beautiful seed pod emerging from the dead blossom.

Larvotto Beach - Walkway to a Swim

Walkway to a swim ...

Summer berries

Beausoleil market:

Summer berries - the strawberries were further along the stall ...

Rookie of the Year ...

Rookie of the Year ... in Beausoleil.

Courgettes as far as the eye can see ....

Courgettes (zucchini), with or without their flowers, for sale in Beausoleil's market. This sort are called 'trompette.' 

Don't!

There's an awful lot of things you CAN'T do on Larvotto Beach - so whilst you are not doing them, watch out for the sea urchins! Ouch!

Japanese Garden - Walk with Me ...

A pretty walk-way in the Japanese Garden on Avenue Princesse Grace.

Miami Plage - Piquant Oil

If you've ordered a pizza you'll need a bottle of piquant oil on the table.

It's good on lots of things - goats' cheese for instance. Yummy ... or Miam Miam as the French say.

Miami Plage

Miami Plage, Larvotto Beach 

Goodness! How many glasses does that waiter have in his arms?

The Japanese Garden

Cloud sits on the hills, it's hot and humid.  So a great place to cool down is in the peace  and tranquility of the beautiful Japanese gardens on Avenue Princesse Grace.

Larvotto Beach - Raked

The beach is raked early every morning ready for the day's influx of bathers and sun-worshippers.

Larvotto Beach before the crowds ...

Early yesterday morning on Larvotto Beach.  The loungers haven't yet been tidied, the parasols haven't been put up ... they soon will be though.

Different Directions

'Life is not a one-way street. You can go in different directions, but be prepared for those people who act like they own the road.' 

~ Unknown

Marble and Monte Carlo people ...

We're back in Monaco today at the coffee/lunch place on the lowest level of the Metropole centre.

The mixture of marble floors, elegant staircases and Monte Carlo people is always fascinating.

Note: I took these photos at the beginning of June when it was chilly here - hence the clothes.

Beaulieu-sur-Mer - Soap

Market in Beaulieu

Look at all the wonderful choices you have if you simply want to buy a bar of soap.

Beaulieu-sur-Mer - Spice

Indian spices for sale in Beaulieu's market seem appropriate to show you today as last night, Gorbio (the medieval village near Menton) was 'in Fete' to celebrate the opening of a major exhibition of Indian art 'The Year of India.'

Click on Menton Daily Photo to see the stunningly beautiful and expressive dancer of Bharatanatyam classical Indian dance,  Jessie Veeratapillay.

Beaulieu-sur-Mer - the Olive Oil Jar

A beautiful old olive oil jar sleeps next to an olive tree near to the port of Beaulieu.

Beaulieu-sur-Mer - Heart for Sale

Hearts for sale in Beaulieu's Saturday market.

Beaulieu-sur-Mer - the Old Mail Box

It's great to see they are still using the old mail boxes in Beaulieu-sur-Mer. This one is tucked into a niche in a wall, not far from the port.

Beaulieu-sur-Mer - Divers

A dinghy in the harbour of Beaulieu-sur-Mer.  Looks like these guys are pretty serious about it all - off to dive I'd imagine ... or perhaps to work on a project in the harbour?

Beaulieu-sur-Mer - Rocks

Just sea and rocks.  Seems a peaceful something to look at on a Monday morning in Beaulieu-sur-Mer.

Beaulieu-sur-Mer - the Market Square

The market square is a pretty one, fountains, old trees, delicate mini- balanconies with tall French windows.

Beaulieu-sur-Mer - Villa Kérylos

The Greek Villa Kérylos at Beaulieu-sur-Mer is one of the most extraordinary monuments on the Riviera. Built between 1902 and 1908 in the period the French call the "Belle Epoque", it is a unique reconstruction of an ancient Greek home. 'Kérylos' means Halcyon, often identified as a kingfisher, a poetic mythical bird, considered to be a bird of good omen.

This is a tribute to Greek civilisation by two lovers of Ancient Greece, Théodore Reinach, an archaeologist and patron of the arts and Emmanuel Pontremoli, an inspired architect. 

Monte Carlo Daily Photo has visited this villa in the past, so if you are interested just type in Villa Kérylos into the Search box and all 13 entries will appear. (don't forget to type the accent on the 'e' else it won't appear)

Beaulieu-sur-Mer - Colour!

 Handbags for sale in Beaulieu's Saturday market

'All colours are the friends of their neighbours and the lovers of their opposites.'

~ Marc Chagall

Beaulieu-sur-Mer - View from La Réserve

This is where you'll sunbathe and enjoy the view if you are lucky enough to stay at La Réserve. 

Beaulieu-sur-Mer - Friendship

What would we woman do without our women friends?  We talk, we listen, we sympathise, we encourage - and vice versa.  I couldn't live without mine.

Beaulieu-sur-Mer - Flaky

These lovely old shutters are in need of a few coats of paint.

Beaulieu-sur-Mer - the Wash Down

This guy is standing almost on top of the boat he is cleaning.  So, instead of seeing the sea and surrounding yachts, we see some of Beaulieu's  beautiful villas on the hillside. Note the reflection.

Beaulieu-sur-Mer - Agapanthus

A pretty little garden with blue agapanthus near to the Mairie of Beaulieu.

Beaulieu-sur-Mer - Contre-Jour

Shooting into the sun at Beaulieu-sur-Mer.

Beaulieu-sur-Mer - Painted Ladies

On sale at Saturday's market in Beaulieu-sur-Mer.

And what or who are these ladies?

How about the handle of a nail file!