Despite the posters, demonstrations, signs and grafitti, Nice lost its bid to host the winter Olympics in 2018 in favor of Annecy. It was a huge disappointment for Mayor Christian Estrosi who has vowed to press for Nice as the site of the summer Olympics in 2024. The last time that France hosted the Olympics was 1992 in Albertville. … Continue reading →
In March 1209 (that’s right 1209) Count Alphonse II of Provence gave the little “perched village” of Biot to the rich and powerful Knights Templar and Biot has finally got around to celebrating the matter. On March 27, 28 and 29 the whole town will turn out to commemorate this event in an exciting program that includes, pageants, costumes, reenactments and probably a lot of really good food (I’m just guessing). The legendary and mysterious Knights Templar amassed a stupendous fortune (kind of like AIG executives) that provoked such an outpouring of greed and envy that King Philippe confiscated their entire holdings in 1312. Many of the Knights were arrested, tortured and burned at the stake. That will probably not be reenacted later this month but it should be a good time anyway. See the Biot municipal website to get programs. Find out more about Biot here. … Continue reading →
It’s that time of year, again; the Nice Carnival. The bleachers are up on the Prom; tour buses are filing into town and locals are bracing themselves for the annual traffic meltdown. Despite the few residents actually attend the Nice Carnival, everyone has an opinion about it. The first opinion is that it’s “trop cher” which means that locals have to actually pay for it. It didn’t used to be that way! It used to be open to everyone! Well, that was before my time but certainly after Garibaldi’s era. Anyway. You don’t have to pay for it anymore. Now the Nice carnival parade is free every day except the first and last days. Chouette? You do still have to pay for the Bataille des Fleurs but, IMO, it’s well worth it. (See photos of the Nice Carnival (Carnaval, in French). Here is the program for Nice Carnaval 2009: Saturday February 14 14h30 Battle of the Flowers 21h – Corso Sunday February 15 14h30 – Corso Tuesday, February 17 21h00 – Corso Wednesday, February 18 14h30 – Battle of the Flowers Saturday February 21 14h30 – Battle of the Flowers 21h00 – Corso Sunday February 22 14h30 – Corso Tuesday, February 24 21h00 – Corso Wednesday, February 25 14h30 – Battle of the Flowers Saturday, February 28 14h30 – Battle of the Flowers 21h00 – Corso Sunday, March 1 14.30 Corso 21.00 Burning of the King and fireworks … Continue reading →