Our ship anchored today in the Mediterranean and we came ashore at Villefranche, France. 

We took a drive through Nice and neighboring towns, on our way to the village of Saint Paul de Vence. On our drive we passed the Hotel Negresco, where we stayed for vacation about 40 years ago.

Today is the 80th anniversary of VE day, marking the end of World War II in Europe. As in so many other French towns, there were beautiful commemoration ceremonies going on in Saint Paul De Vence. One of the town squares was the location for a ceremony honoring veterans of World War II. We listened to the local brass band play patriotic songs, while caterers prepared an enormous spread of delicious food for residents attending the commemoration ceremony. 

We traveled through the town with an art historian as our guide, and saw numerous galleries where many artists display their work. 

Next, we stopped at a local cafe / restaurant and had lunch, consisting of a Tomato and Burrata Mozzarella Salad and a Boeuf Lasagna Maison. Very generous helpings and very delicious.

After lunch, we went to the Maeght Foundation, which houses an impressive number of works by Bonnard, Braque, Kandinsky, Chagall, Miró, Calder, Giacometti, Hepworth and others. The foundation has lovely interior rooms containing sculpture and paintings, as well as beautiful gardens and terraces where the art is showcased.  

Saint Paul De Vence is one of France’s most visited towns, and we were very pleased to have an opportunity to see it on a day that is a national holiday and a very meaningful one for the French, and all of Europe.

JFB & MAM