This Estate is located 50 minutes from the Nice Airport, nestled between the sea and the mountains (skiing in 30 minutes) and yet it is close to charming village shops.

This outstanding Bastide comes with 20 hectares of land, crowned by magnificent cliffs and graced by a water source that flows in a clear and abundant stream through the property.
It extends into an oak forest with 5 ha of agricultural land planted with hundreds of Provencal trees such as olive, almond, fig and fruit.

The Bastide, built in the 18th century, offers 280m2 of living space that was fully restored in 2005, in respect to authenticity, with attention to quality and detail.
On the large shaded terraces and from the pool you enjoy views down the valley of the Var and the calm serenity of this unique environment.

Price: 1.400.000€
Full property detail upon request

Very close to the famous village of Gordes, and benefiting from this breathtaking and incomparable view, sublime unique property by its quality, its nature and its position. By the gate a rehabilitated traditional “borie” sets the tone. Superbly renovated and enlarged by carefully selected local talents as architects, landscapers and interior designers, who have enabled the achievement of this trinket!
Home to live thought by the owner, combining space and intimacy, this magnificent sheepfold deploys on three levels. High quality materials, gorgeous old woodwork, a deliciously comfortable and warm furniture rustic style gathered amongst the best-known brocanteurs of the Luberon, forming an integral part of the sale; complements the architecture with refinement. Everything is enchantment and the garden sets the tone: beautiful restanques have been re-established, a closed-circuit stream feeds a basin and meanders through the property. Beautiful traditional vegetation of the typical Gordes campaigns.

AUTHENTIC MAS PROVENCAL completely restored, approx. 600 m2 on 2 HA 500 land.Pool, fenced yard. 5 Bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, Large lounge with fireplace, kitchen. Caretaker house, separate horse stalls. Lots of charm, comfort, central heating. Landscaped Rose Garden. Panoramic views over the Luberon.

Property for Sale near Saint Rémy de Provence

Check this amazing Property near Saint Rémy de Provence.

Aioli is a sauce made of garlic and olive oil. PERIOD!
Egg yolk is a commonly used emulsifier but mustard and garlic both have emulsion-producing properties. Classic aioli is made without egg, though many aioli recipes use it.
For traditional aioli the garlic is ground in a mortar while adding small amounts of olive oil, leading to a smooth and very strong tasting aioli. (d’alh = garlic and òli =olive oil) nothing should be added to it ! It takes a while, it is hard but it should be done this way.
Last but not least, tradition are also a way of life in Provence and you should follow those rules when you make it :
1) Obviously the Olive Oil should be “Première Pression à froid” and the Garlic should be fresh and Organic!
2) You should not be disturbed during this period by any noise nor other activities (cicadas singing are NOT considered as noise!)
3) The sky should be blue and no storm should be coming
4) The room should be tempered, in the shade, and never make aioli outside!
5) Old saying discourage a woman having its period to make aioli (don’t laugh, some people still do believe in this!)
6) Best to make it in Provence!

Aïoli ou sauce aillade (source « le cuisinier moderne », by G GARLIN, Edition 1889)
« Mettez une ou deux gousses d’ail dégermées dans un mortier, pilez jusqu’à ce que set ail soit en sorte anéanti, puis, vous cassez un œuf dont vous prenez le jaune que vous mettez dans le mortier et l’assaisonnez de sel, poivre blanc, un peu de Cayenne et un peu de muscade, pilez en tournant le pilon sur lui-même et ajoutez petit à petit la valeur d’un quart ou d’une demi-livre de bonne huile d’olive, en ajoutant de temps en temps un peu de jus de citron afin que votre sauce ne tourne pas et en même temps pour l’assaisonner. Cette sauce doit être tenue au frais comme la mayonnaise, la tartare ou la rémoulade. Servez-la aux articles indiqués dans une saucière frappée.
Dans le midi, cette sauce est simplement prise à l’huile d’olive, sans le secours de jaune d’œuf et nullement assaisonné. »

The original Aioli is very difficult to succeed this is why most of cook adds either a egg yoke or lemon juice to make the emulsion but the people from Provence will call this « Mayonnaise à l’Ail » and will not like it to be called Aioli!

Food in Provence

OK the guy is brutal, but it is all about Provence so check :
"check it out"

Eze

The area surrounding Èze was first populated around 2000 BC as a commune situated near Mount Bastide. The area was subsequently occupied by not only the Romans but also the Moors who held the area for approximately 80 years until they were driven out by William of Provence in 973.

Èze has been described as an “eagle's nest” because of its location overlooking a high cliff located 427m above sea level on the French Mediterranean. The high elevation enables the village and the light ochre church within (Notre Dame de l’Assomption built in 1764) to be seen from afar. Inside the church, an Egyptian cross acts as a reminder that the roots of the village date back to the time of the Phoenicians, when they erected a temple there to honour the goddess Isis.

Traditionally, the territory of the Principality of Monaco was considered to begin in the Èze village (outskirts of Nice), running along the Mediterranean coast to Menton, on the present Italian border.

Èze is famous worldwide for the view of the sea from the top of its hill, and it is a renowned tourist site on the French Riviera. It is home to the Jardin botanique d’Eze, known for its collection of cactus and succulents as well as its panoramic views. Walt Disney spent a significant amount of time in Èze.

The oldest building in the village is the Chapelle de la Sainte Croix and dates back to 1306. The small medieval village is famous for its beauty and charm. It has many shops, art galleries, hotels and restaurants that attract a large number of tourists and honeymooners. As a result Èze has become a "museum village", few local residents live here. From Èze you have gorgeous views of the Mediterranean Sea. The Fragonard perfume factory has a sales outlet here.

The motto of the village is the phrase: "Isis Moriendo Renascor" (meaning "In death I am Reborn") and its emblem is a Phoenix perched on a bone.

Source : Wikipedia

Eze Village

The area surrounding Èze was first populated around 2000 BC as a commune situated near Mount Bastide. The area was subsequently occupied by not only the Romans but also the Moors who held the area for approximately 80 years until they were driven out by William of Provence in 973.

Èze has been described as an “eagle's nest” because of its location overlooking a high cliff located 427m above sea level on the French Mediterranean. The high elevation enables the village and the light ochre church within (Notre Dame de l’Assomption built in 1764) to be seen from afar. Inside the church, an Egyptian cross acts as a reminder that the roots of the village date back to the time of the Phoenicians, when they erected a temple there to honour the goddess Isis.
Traditionally, the territory of the Principality of Monaco was considered to begin in the Èze village (outskirts of Nice), running along the Mediterranean coast to Menton, on the present Italian border.

Èze is famous worldwide for the view of the sea from the top of its hill, and it is a renowned tourist site on the French Riviera. It is home to the Jardin botanique d’Eze, known for its collection of cactus and succulents as well as its panoramic views. Walt Disney spent a significant amount of time in Èze.

The oldest building in the village is the Chapelle de la Sainte Croix and dates back to 1306. The small medieval village is famous for its beauty and charm. It has many shops, art galleries, hotels and restaurants that attract a large number of tourists and honeymooners. As a result Èze has become a "museum village", few local residents live here. From Èze you have gorgeous views of the Mediterranean Sea. The Fragonard perfume factory has a sales outlet here.

The motto of the village is the phrase: "Isis Moriendo Renascor" (meaning "In death I am Reborn") and its emblem is a Phoenix perched on a bone.

Source : wikipedia

From Nice to Monaco

Nice is nicknamed Nice la Belle, which means The Beautiful Nice.
Capital of the French Riviera (Côte d’Azur) with 347,060 inhabitants (2006), making it the 5th largest city of France. The metropolitan area the 5th largest.

The area of today’s Nice is believed to be among the oldest human settlements in the world. One of the archaeological sites, Terra Amata, displays evidence of a very early usage of fire.
Throughout the ages the town changed hands many times. Its strategic location and port significantly contributed to its maritime strength. For years, it was an Italian dominion, then became part of France in 1860. Culturally and architecturally enriched over time, today Nice has become a truly cosmopolitan tourist destination.
The spectacular natural beauty of the Nice area and its mild Mediterranean climate came to the attention of the English upper classes in the second half of the 18th Century, when an increasing number of aristocratic families took to spending their winter there. The city’s main seaside promenade, the Promenade des Anglais (‘the Walkway of the English’) owes its name to the earliest visitors to the resort. For decades now, the picturesque Nicean surroundings have attracted not only those in search of relaxation, but also those seeking inspiration. The clear air and soft light has been of particular appeal to some of Western culture’s most outstanding painters, such as Marc Chagall, Henri Matisse, Nikide Saint Phalle and Arman. Their work is commemorated in many of the city’s museums.

The climate and landscape are still what attracts most visitors today. It has the second largest hotel capacity in the country and it’s the second-most visited place in France after Paris, receiving 4 million tourists every year. It also has the second busiest airport in France after Paris and two convention centers dedicated to business tourism. The city also has a university, several business districts and some major cultural facilities, such as museums, a national theater, an opera house with a regional library and several concert halls and casinos.

Read More on wikipedia : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nice#cite_note-3

Check : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a_Rg-k5GxeE

Nice Carnival

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PyqSpHRaEwI

The Frenchy is in town

In West Palm beach for the week promoting Honore Estate.

And for the other fun part, one show Friday night and another one Sunday!

Carnaval de Nice

The main winter event on the Riviera is one of the largest carnivals in the world, offering a programme of unforgettable entertainment … from 12th to 28th February 2010.

The carnival processions, comprising 20 floats telling the story of the “Blue Planet” work their way up to a crescendo of gigantic decorations on the Place Masséna. These giant, colourful parades take place day and night, with entertainment provided by over 1,000 musicians and dancers from across the world.

In a unique setting, on the Promenade des Anglais, the elegant “flower battles” are part of the carnival not to be missed. On floats decorated with the most stunning floral compositions, extravagantly dressed characters throw out mimosas, gerberas, and lilies into the public …

For over 15 days, the city hums to the rhythm of this genuine, fairy-tale event … get a passport for the celebration and let the magic do its work … come and forget the dullness of winter and take in the sun on the French Riviera!

Le Carnival Parade is made up of some twenty floats designed on the year's theme and other figurines, including 30 in traditional papier mache in a colourful parade with dazzling colours, with the participation of street theatre and music groups from all over the world. In the evening all the floats are illuminated and the evening parades light up the heart of Nice.
Each Carnival represents an original shortlived production. Being a Carnavalier is not a profession, but a passion or a vocation. The large workshop where these craftsmen work, called the "Maison du Carnaval" is transformed into a magical setting for several months.
Even if new procedures, techniques and materials have paved the way for the mechanisation, articulation and modernisation of elements, the basis for float and big head construction has remained identical to its origins.

FLOWER PARADE
It was on the seafront, along Promenade des Anglais, that the first Flower Parade (Flower Parade) was held in 1876. Soon, the timid exchanges of bouquets of flowers between the rich winter visitors' decorated carriages developed into a prestigious show, now an integral part of Carnival.

Today,this event promotes the quality and large variety of Riviera flowers as some 90% of flowers used are produced locally. 20 flower covered floats parade along the promenade des Anglais between the Théâtre de Verdure and the Hotel Negresco.

The development and conception of the floats is a long and meticulous task which nonetheless has to be carried out within a very short lapse of time.

PARADE OF LIGHTS
The Place Massena, emblematic Carnival venue, has recovered the tradition of Carnival Parades, the departure point for a loop around the Albert 1er gardens. On the square, visual Entertainment is broadcast on giant screens. For evening évents, the floats are illuminated and the parades light up the heart of Nice.

France : the Best Quality of Life

For the fifth year running, France takes first in our annual Quality of Life Index. No surprise. Its tiresome bureaucracy and high taxes are outweighed by an unsurpassable quality of life, including the world's best health care.

France always nets high scores in most categories. But you don't need number-crunchers to tell you its bon vivant lifestyle is special. Step off a plane and you'll experience it first-hand.

I always wish quality of life indicators could measure a country's heart and soul. But it's impossible to enumerate the joy of lingering for hours over dinner and a bottle of red wine in a Parisian brasserie. Or strolling beside the Seine on a spring morning, poking through the book vendors' wares. Or buying buttery croissants in bohemian Montmartre...hearing Notre Dame's bells...walking antique streets paved with poetry.

Romantic Paris offers the best of everything, but services don't fall away in Alsace's wine villages...in wild and lovely Corsica...in lavender-scented Provence. Or in the Languedoc of the troubadors, bathed in Mediterranean sunlight.

Provincial French properties are often keenly priced and lifestyles are less expensive than Paris. The Southwestern Midi-Pyrenees region is a particularly good hunting ground for village homes for less than $100,000—and classic three-course lunches for $14. Houses cascade with wisteria blossom; outdoor markets are everywhere. Foie gras, pink garlic, Armagnac, and crystallized violets aren't gourmet fare for locals. Rather, just another day's shopping.

Source : Internationalliving.com