Breakfast this morning was all of the usual plus lots of fresh fruit, grapefruit, watermelon, delicious baked apples, a fruit tart, quiche Lorraine. We enjoyed visiting with our villa friends. OurBelgian friends are leaving today. The wife is seven months pregnant and looks like a million dollars. She had on a tight black dress today with a belt under her baby bump. We all decided we could do that look; it just wouldn't be a baby bump!!! Especially after all this food....
With our day planned, we were off earlier than normal, 10 instead of 11, headed for the walled city of Mougins. By the way, we love Mougins. It seems to be a well-kept secret. The old city has a new museum that juxtaposes classical with modern art -- Greek, Roman and Egyptian ancient artifacts with paintings or sculptures from Dali, Andy Warhol, Chagall and Picasso and many more. It is a well-thought-out exhibit with interactive kiosks sprinkled throughout the museum.
We left the museum and toured the old city, looking in shops along the way, There is a jewelry artist with unique pieces and many things we wanted, but we didn't buy yet, not knowing what lies ahead -- except Sara R. who practiced some retail therapy. Picasso lived here 12 years before he died. So copies of his work are very prevalent. We "toured" the city more than we intended, as we couldn't quite get our bearings. This is true of all of France we've seen thus far -- they don't believe any two roads should meet up more than once. If you miss a turn, you must turned around and go back. Return to Go and don't collect $200!
Next we headed to Eze. It is said to have to the most breathtaking views and that is an understatement!!! It's an old village perched on the top of a mountain right at the edge of the sea. Pictures won't do it justice. We followed the walking tour and ended up at Chateau Eza. We had tapas at the restaurant -- and vin -- living the life of the rich and famous, if only for a moment. Asparagus soup, arugula salad with shaved parmigiano reggiano, crabmeat with watercress coulee and linguine with basil pesto. And, of course, vin. Gina almost ordered a 25 euro glass of champagne, which actually wasn't much more than the house wine. But we WERE paying for the view.
While there, we met a couple who were renewing their wedding vows after 30 years of marriage. They live in San Diego, but are from Dallas. Small world. They had two attendants -- we think the mother and maybe her boyfriend or maybe just friends. They had a harp player that played maybe four songs after the wedding. Mind you, someone had to carry that harp up a mountain!! For four songs!!! But it was a nice touch. If you want a destination wedding, this is a great place....
We left to finish our tour -- and hoped our car was there when we got back down. We forgot to get a parking ticket for one of them (one was given to us by the person vacating his spot) and that is a big no-no anywhere you park. But first we trekked back up the mountain to the highest point. The paths are cobblestone with twists and turns. It would be interesting to know the thought process behind only curves instead of a few straight lines. After taking in all that Eze had to offer, we clomped down the mountain to our cars. It was there with no ticket!! We are living right.
We got supplies for another evening on the portico and headed back to our villa in Mougins. We enjoyed our last evening on the portico, as we leave for Beaucaire tomorrow. Off to more new adventures. But we will leave Mougins taking with us lots of wonderful memories and leaving behind many empty wine bottles in return.....salut, y'all.
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