French Riviera & Tour de France
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© Photos from the Album of Linda Young
One day our Seabourn ship anchored in Monte Carlo and it was the first day of the Tour de France, with the opening ceremonies in Monaco. We docked and set off to find the festivities only to discover that all the teams were based in the harbor just a few yards from our ship! It was closed to the public -- save the teams, the dignitaries (including Prince Albert), the officials, the press, and those of us on the ships in the harbor!!
And what a fun day we had watching the bikers practicing, training, and weaving in and out of the few dozens of spectators. Of course, everyone wanted to see Lance Armstrong, and the press clustered round his trailer trying to get a good candid shot of him. We were actually equally as interested in his teammate, George Hincapie, a native of our hometown in Greenville, SC. We found him close to Lance surrounded by his family who had come to France to cheer him on.
As the race began, we had a front row position with a view of the monitor showing the racers out of vision and a place right next to the finish line! We were able to watch the over-heated, exhausted bikers at the end, some nearly faint in the 90 degree temperature. We saw Lance at the end, too, as his fans peered with rapt attention. Then the smart ones headed for the icy bath strategically placed quite close to the finish line. End of Race 1, Day 1, Tour de France 2009.
Monaco, Eze, Nice, Cannes, Vence, St-Paul-de-Vence, and Grasse are all delightful places to explore. The glamour of the city of Monte Carlo, the casinos, and the legends of the Prince falling in love with the American heiress Grace captures the imagination of many and draws them to Monte Carlo. Go to St-Paul-de-Vence and Eze to travel back in time several centuries or to Cannes or Nice to the sophistication of the European beach scene with their elaborate cabanas. Grasse enchants with the lush beauty of the mountains and the profusion of flowers it grows to produce the exotic perfumes that are distributed throughout the world. Even the Romans passed this way and left a tangible monument to their enduring legacy.
Visit all of these delightful places, plus the art works of Matisse, Picasso, Chagall, Bonnard, and others. Contact Young Travel about the French Riviera today.
