The French Riviera. Cote d'Azur. This part of France has a reputation of a rather luxurious and posh getaway dedstination, but it's only partially true. Nice is the second largest city of the region and it lies at the eastern side of mediterrenian coast that belongs to France, at the foot of the Alps, about 13 kilometers from Monaco. It is well connected with the rest of the country and its european neighbours thanks to its international airport, a fine system of trains and highways.
I flew to Nice to join my parents on their vacation as they are exceptionally fond of this area. I have to admit as well that Nice and its surroundings are exceptionally picturesque, as if they were taken from a fine-art landscape. The French have a unique talent of combining colours and texture of their architecture to match the nature perfectly, and arrange their decorative plants, flowers and shrubberies in impeccable compositions. The beaches also stand out among other mediterrenian destinations as they are rocky, mostly consisting of white round pebbles and small rocks. There is almost no sand at all.
France never ceases to amaze me when it comes to street photography. I always feel very inspired to shoot people passing by and spaces that they find themselves in. It all just goes together so well.
We didn't stay in Nice itself, but rather in Saint-Laurent-du-Var, just two train stops away from the centre of the city.
Strasbourg isn't the only Christmas paradise in France. Actually, there's a city named Colmar very close to the region's capital that is equally magical when it comes to the yule spirit. But it's not only a Christmas destination, of course, the town itself is outstandingly picturesque, straight out of a Disney film.
Colmar is quite small, having merely 70000 habitants. The climate is very convenient for wine production, so it's the capital of Alsatian wines. It's an hour away from Strasbourg by bus, so it is a great opportunity for a daytrip at any time of the year. It has a similar history as the rest of alsatian cities - initially it was established in Germany around 1226 but then through the centuries it was passed between Germany and France to become permanently french after 1945.
Strasbourg, a large city in the french region of Alsace, is dubbed the capital of Christmas. Not by chance I chose my time of visit it in december, I heard a lot of rumours about the splendor of alsatian christmas markets. I can promise you, you havent seen a christmas like that before.
Oh Lyon! You were a true treat, and really amazing to be in.
It is the third largest city in France, after Paris and Marseille. It is located in the east of the country, a little south from the centre. What's important is the geography. Two rivers Rhone and Saone flow and meet there, Lyon grew on their junction. Not so far on the east from the city the mountain range of the Alps start to tower over the land. They are not really visible in the city itself, but the terrain is rather filled with hills anyway. The region of France in which it lies is called Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes.
Another trip I had with my mother. She is utterly in love with France, so when a spontaneous idea of going to Paris as a city-break came up, we both instantly agreed. I bet Paris is such a place that you can go there a number of times, and each time discover something completely new.
