Life's a Beach

Life's a beach, especially for the guys who work on it.

Hidden

Peer through greenery and you might find a nice surprise. This lady hides in a tiny garden at the back of the Hotel Hermitage.

Charlie's Feet

You may well ask the reason for a photograph of a seagull's rear end.

The best I can do is tell you that I was waiting for FNAC, a shop in the Metropole Centre to open - so I wandered down to the area below the Casino and, having nothing better to do, stood there snapping the gulls. This one's feet reminded me of Charlie Chaplin...and he always made me laugh - or cry.

Grand Prix - the Barriers Go Up

It won't be long now...the steel barriers are going up ready for the Monaco Grand Prix. This is the restaurant we saw yesterday - the roses look a little different behind a wire fence. Note: this is simply a light interior barrier - the outer barrier is much tougher.

Roses for Lunch

An spray of roses over your lunch table? This is the Pacific Restaurant in the Metropole building on Avenue des Spelugues.

Mailboxes

It's not easy to find a private mail box in Monaco. Eventually I found these three in a small street at the back of the Hotel Hermitage.

More usual are rows of mailboxes inside the foyers of apartment buildings (which can't, of course, be photographed) or private mail boxes in Monte Carlo's post office which you see left and below.

Please click here to see how others around the world have interpreted today's theme.

Bubble Bath

It's amazing what girls will do for a bit of attention in Monte Carlo...

'Cloclo' - the new Claude François film - the Extras

These actresses had to walk in front of the Casino Gardens in animated conversation. The couple in the last photo are waiting for Claude François to leave the Casino - at which point they will look across and stare at him. See yesterday's post.

'Cloclo' - the new Claude François film

Monte Carlo's famous casino and square was taken over yesterday morning by a film crew who are making 'Cloclo' based on the life of Claude François.

Claude François was an incredibly popular singer in the 1960s and '70s in France. His formula for success was adapting British and American rock and roll hits for the French market. If you've never heard of him, then think of the Frank Sinatra classic 'My Way' which he co-wrote with Jacques Revaux. The song was known in France as Comme d'habitude (As Usual). Paul Anka supplied the words to My Way.

In March 1978 he's returned from a gig in Switzerland to in his Paris apartment in order to appear, the next day, on 'Les Rendez-vous du Dimanche' with TV host Michel Drucker. While standing in a filled bath, he noticed a light bulb that wasn't straight, tried to straighten it with his wet hands and was accidentally electrocuted. His tragic death at only 39 years of age brought a wave of public sympathy for a French national treasure.

The part of Claude François is played by Jérémie Rénier (seen coming out of the casino in this photo) who bears a remarkable resembles to the late singer. However, despite is pretty boy look, Francois was a tortured soul and not always the nicest of people. Well, we'll all have to see the film, won't we?

Mas Provençal - Tomatoes

And if you are still hungry as you leave the restaurant you could always grab a tomato...

Mas Provençal - the Dancer

If you are looking for a beautiful restaurant, where you dine in a forest of flowers, look no further. This is the Mas Provençal at the foot of Eze village.

Little and Large

Sometimes you spot little gems amongst the high rises. This was taken on Boulevard Princesse Grace.

Easter Candle

A candle in Monaco's cathedral. Happy Easter everyone!

Wisteria

Luscious blooms cover a small wall in the Japanese garden.

Bird's Eye View of the Japanese Gardens

This shot was really pushing the limit of my zoom lens. It's taken from the same place as yesterday's photo of the Grimaldi Forum. Today you see the forecourt of the Grimaldi Forum(taken when ArtMonaco was on) and beyond it, the Japanese Gardens. Further on you see the famous tunnel that in a few short weeks will have Formula 1 drivers whizzing through at vast speeds. Roll on Monaco Grand Prix time!

Bird's Eye View of the Grimaldi Forum

The Grimaldi Forum taken from high up in the Formentor building. Behind the Grimaldi Forum you can see an area of trees, which is the Japanese Garden.

ArtMonaco - the Rhinoceros and the Dachshund

We're back at ArtMonaco, just for one day - in any case, it finished ages ago - but I forgot to show you the rhinoceros!

The little dog doesn't seem to be scared...

The Judas Tree

A Judas tree in bloom on the terrace of the Palace. This half of the Palace has now been cleaned and painted ready for the wedding of Prince Albert and Charlene Wittstock in July. Work continues on the other half - you can just see a glimpse of the protective covering on the far right in this shot.

Clouds over the Queen Mary II

The Queen Mary II moored outside the 'digue' (floating pontoon) in Port Hercule - four days ago.

In the background is Cap Martin. If you go to Menton Daily Photo today you'll find a couple of shots of Monaco taken from Cap Martin.

Toy Town

The clean-up of the Palace continues in preparation for the wedding celebrations. The real walls are masked by 'false walls' which along with the ornate uniforms of the Prince's Carabinieri give you the feeling you've arrived in toy town. All great fun!