Fortnight in South of France

We travelled from Budapest via Vienna’s airport for our 22nd September in South of France and the always wonderful La Reserve in Beaulieu-sur-Mer. We arrived late afternoon, unpacked and said our hellos to the longtime staff. I thought a Bellini would also be in order to kick things off. Dinner was on the terrace with a waxing crescent moon shimmering off the calm waters of the bay. One cannot get tired of this view.

Moonlight Alfresco Dinning - La Reserve

We were here two weeks and continued our morning tradition of our walk along Promenade Rouvier to St. Jean Cap Ferrat and La Civette Café for cappuccinos and croissants. It’s a peaceful one-hour walk with lovely sea views along the whole route.

View from Promenade Rouvier

What followed most days was swimming and reading poolside, a pleasant lunch on the point and perhaps a Bellini before heading back to the room around five. About half our evenings were at La Reserve’s restaurant.

Our "Film Noir" shot - circa 1940s
(Photo credit to John)

The scene at "African Queen"

But we also were out and about. A dinner or two at the African Queen in the port, one at La Mére Germaine in Villefranche. On Thursday, the 14th, we took the train to Cannes to visit the boat show, lunching afterward at the Majestic Hotel’s Le Fouquet’s – very nice. The beautiful German made Hanse sailing yachts were very alluring, especially after our sailing trip in Croatia in August.

Philip and John were staying in Monte Carlo and we saw them for a very good lunch at La Reserve and Rossie and Adrian at the African Queen for dinner twice; and also at La Reserve for lunch. And we also had a wonderful dinner and evening with Maryléne and Gilbert at their home in Roquebrune Cap-Martin; along with Philip and John.

The "Gang" at Maryléne & Gilbert's

Other things to note. Guillaume, the restaurant’s maître d had a pretty baby girl, Lilou; STING was at the hotel for a few days, apparently doing a gig for some rich oligarch on Cap Ferrat, and also a very young singer, “Cris Cab,” (actual name Christian Cabrerizo) who jammed a bit with the hotel’s pianist one late evening while Judith finished her Amaretto, and I, a wonderful 1949 calvados. He seemed happy to talk to us old folks. Check out his “Liar-Liar” video, pretty hot:

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u-qYMl9T9wQ

David Livingstone, La Reserve’s pianist for 29 tears is retiring; we wished him well – his music is heavenly.

The weather turned cool the last few days, but otherwise cooperated. On Tuesday, the 19th, we left for Vienna, returning to a rainy Budapest by car. Our 22nd September in Beaulieu was over; we look forward to next year!