Tour de France - The Angel

The greatest cycling race in the world, the Tour de France, starts in Monaco on the 4th July. It has passed through Monaco before but never started here. A great honour for the Principality.

In Rue Princesse Caroline, the pedestrian street, 20 artists have created works to mark the event.

Look up, and you see this creation by Véronique Champollion.

The Monte Carlo Dog

Meet Nina, a Monte Carlo dog in the arms of a Monte Carlo lady - owner of the G.A.M Galerie d'Art in Monaco.

Nina is half Chihuahua and half Papillon and nearly one year old - still only a puppy.

I was walking through the Gallery of the Winter Sporting in Casino Square and noticed a vernissage taking place in this beautiful art gallery. One of the owner's assistants kindly invited me in and put a glass of vin rosé in my hand. The vernissage was for two talented artists, one a sculptor and the other a photographer - yes, I know I should have taken note of names but put a glass of wine in my hand and give me a dog to photograph and that's it!

You can see another photograph of Nina and a little more of the gallery on Riviera Dogs today - second photo.

Dior and Denim

The Avenue des Beaux Arts is known as the most expensive shopping street in Monaco. It runs from the Place du Casino to Avenue Princesse Alice and the Hôtel Hermitage. This is the street to walk, if you want to spend serious money on designer clothes and jewels in Monte Carlo.

The Monumental Heads

Two more monumental heads by the Spanish artist, Manolo Valdés, currently on display in the Casino Gardens. Well, actually three: the sculpture in the large photo is called Ivy. Tucked behind you see Ada.

And in the smaller photograph - where the person in red gives you an idea of the great size of these works, the sculpture is called Dama 1.

Monte Carlo Lady - Pink and Blue

Pink and blue - mauve too. One shoulder bare. Silver shoes, white hat. She walks past the Hôtel de Paris on Casino Square.

Jacaranda

The Casino Garden boasts many spectacular and rare trees but at the moment, none create shade and catch the eye quite like the beautiful jacarandas.

The Lady and the Queen

An attractive lady photographs Regina - a 2005 sculpture by the Spanish artist, Manolo Valdés - part of an exhibition of his monumental heads in the Casino Gardens. The blue tree is a Jacaranda.

There is an absolutely beautiful sculpture of Queen Mariana, by Manolo Valdés, below the Opera House. Click on the link.

The Tiger

'Tiger' guards the Monte Carlo Bay Resort & Hotel.

Created by the Croatian-born sculptor, Mornar, you can read more about the artist by clicking on the link.

Dames/Femmes

This is the Ladies/Women's loo at the Monte Carlo Bay Resort Hotel.

In the smaller photograph someone has crossed out Femmes and written Dames. A dame being a lady, and a femme being a woman. What is even more surprising is that no one in the hotel has cleaned it up.

So which should it be?

Larvotto Beach - the Jazz Lounge at La Note Bleue

La Note Bleue is not only a beach restaurant but also a Jazz Lounge at night - you see a small part of it here. The ambiance is superb. And always beautiful fresh flowers.

The friendly servers we saw a couple of days ago work here.

Larvotto Beach - the Furniture Painter

You don't expect to see furniture for sale on the beach, do you?

If you get bored with bronzing yourself, you can find all sorts of interesting things to buy for your house or apartment. And you can even watch the furniture being painted. You'll find these delights near to La Spiaggia, which is the end of the beach nearest to the Monte Carlo Bay Resort Hotel.

A couple of days ago, Diederick from Arona Every Day visited Monaco and I had the great pleasure of meeting him and his son and daughter-in-law. Do click on the link to take a look.

Larvotto Beach - La Note Bleue

Meet David and Sandra, two of the friendly servers at La Note Bleue, the beach restaurant and Jazz Lounge on Larvotto Beach.

Larvotto Beach - the Parasols

We're back at Larvotto Beach. A cruise ship is out at sea. Tables are being prepared for lunch at the Miami Plage restaurant.

Toys for Boys

If you own a mega yacht, it seems you own a Ferrari. This one was parked alongside one of the big yachts. The tyre looks brand new, doesn't it?

Men at Work

Crew members move cushions from one end of this boat to the other.

No Day Work

If you walk alongside the yachts in port, you'll see notices on most of the entry-phones: Fully Crewed. No Day Work.

Click to see more of the Lady Lola.

Grand Prix - Truth

The Grand Prix wouldn't be the Grand Prix without a plethora of pretty girls.

Here's one who was working on one of the many stalls selling Grand Prix memorabilia. She was friendly and smiling yet in this photograph she looks pensive, with a quiet dignity. Photographs are so much of the moment - the instant we press that button, aren't they? Do they tell the truth or not?

Grand Prix - Turquoise on the Red Carpet

One of the many stands in the pedestrian street where the vendor is getting ready for Practice Day.

Grand Prix - What's wrong?

Alright, not the greatest photo, I agree, but there is something wrong in this first photo.

We are in Monaco, yet the policeman is French. The smaller photograph shows you a Monaco policeman.

The French policeman told me he (and others) had been called in to help during Grand Prix week. I think he was enjoying himself on the streets of Monaco.

Grand Prix - the Dummies

At Grand Prix time even the dummies in the windows wear ear protection. We're in Rue Grimaldi, which is primarily a shopping street. The reflections though show shutters and balconies from apartments above the shops.