Although for centuries the French Riviera features perfect sand in the perfect blue waters covered from the wind by the cozy hills, and the climate suitable for quite exotic vegetables, it is not long time ago, when it gained the status of the place for rich and famous with gambling, night life on the beaches, events, performances shows in the continuous kaleidoscope of luxury ‘dolce vita’ in French sauce.
Thorough the history the shore witnessed various historic events, not as a main player, but just the transit point.
Greeks established Nice, Romans Cannes, but did not wanted to developed the land more above the granary level.
When Napoleon landed on the shore, he would be quite happy to meet the French land after the exile on Elbe, but did not disturbed his mind with gorgeous surroundings and moved immediately towards the capital.
Côte d’Azur remained the land of fishermen until the half of 19th century, when British aristocracy following the example given by lord Bourgham, made Cannes their winter residence
avoiding short and foggy days in UK. The French people preferred more private areas located between Nice and residence of Grimaldi family – Monaco. The tiny kingdom under French protection became finally popular after the year 1861 when the first casino has been opened in Monte Carlo.The gambling prohibition in France, and zero tax policy has strenghtened the image of luxury ‘tax paradise’ Monaco still enjoys.
The paradise on earth without unnecessary luggage of civilization, but with marvelous landscape of sleepy fishery village has been found in Saint-Tropez by Guy de Maupassant and Paul Signac.The Impressionists were followed by the movie makers, who appreciated the valour of the local light and made numerous movies with famous French actors, to name only two : Louis de Funes and Brigitte Bardot. The local event in neighbour Cannes soon became known worldwide and today ‘Golden Palms’ are competing in range with Venetian ‘Lions’ and ‘Oscars’.
The cream on the top is added by the presence of perfume makers, who opened their manufactures in Grasse, where the climate is suitable for growing various plants, like oranges and roses, which beautiful flowers are the base of many fragrances.
No real border with Italy and the new road rebuilt in 1990′s gives the opportunity to get the glimpse of all French Riviera top places within one day.
[Port Saint Tropez, courtesy of Guillermo Fdez]
