Tour Day Eze, Monaco, Cannes, Antibes

We had booked a tour for eight people of less on Viator and as it turned out, it was just Terry and I, so we got a real private tour.  Our guide Carloline picked us up at the hotel and we were off.  Unfortunately it is rainy, but we won't melt.  First stop for a scenic view 

Since it is raining, our next stop will be in Grasse where perfume was first developed; and a tour of the Fragonard Perfume Factory.

With our guide Caroline

Our most elegant guide at the factory who explained about the "Nose".  The Nose is the title given to the expert who smells the perfumes as they are developed.  It takes 10 years to become a "Nose".  Three years in school and the seven years of practice.  They cannot drink, smoke or eat spicy foods, as those things all affect the noses sensitivity and the smell of the perfume.  Alas, this cannot be Terry's next career, as I don't think she can give up her wine.  We did, however, get to test our noses.  She had little jars of the various flower scents that we had to smell and then guess the fragrance.  I think I won the better nose, but don't think it can be my next avocation either.  I like spicy food and wine.

Flowers used in the production of perfumes.  Orange and cedar from California

This factory was established in 1926 and makes perfumes, soaps, body products and face products using essential oils from the above flowers.  It takes a lot of flowers to make a little essential oil; hence the expensive perfumes

Of course we had to buy a few things

Purchases in hand we are off to the Medieval town of Eze which sits on the mountain just above the perfume factory

All up hill from here

Even Eze decorates.  These were on the doorstep of a little shop (one of the few that was open).  Cutest little pigs.  I will call them "Happy" 

and "Snoozing Santa"

The Church Notre Dame de L'Assumption consecrated in 1772 in the Baroque style

The Creche showing the people of Provence arriving at the birth

From here Terry went one direction and I another thinking we would end up in the same place.  Didn't see her again until we met at the parking lot. Ha.

As you can see, not many people out and about in Eze.  Only a few shops open

Charming little town

Making my way back down to the parking lot

Just beautiful

Still raining a bit, but we are off to the Principality of Monaco.  Monaco is the second smallest and the most densely populated country in the world, with about 36,300 people.  The country has a land border of only 4.4 km (2.7 mi), a coastline of 4.1 km (2.5 mi), and a width that varies between 1,700 and 349 m (5,577 and 1,145 ft).  There is one policeman for every hundred citizens, so it is a very safe country to be in. 

The Oceanography Institute.  Jacques Cousteau's little yellow submarine is here

Walking up the hill toward the Palace and city.  There are red and white flags everywhere in honor of the birth of twins to Prince Albert and his Princess Charlene.  Born on December 10th.   A girl, Gabriella and a boy, Jacques.  Although the little girl was born first, two minutes ahead of the boy, he will be Prince.  A new holiday has been declared,  in honor of the births. 

The Cathedral

Prince Rainier and Princess Grace were married here

and buried here

Prince Albert was not married here as he did not want to be married where his parents were buried.

The Creche

On to the palace to see if they will have a Changing of the Guard.  If its raining it will be cancelled.

The royal couple are in as the flag is flying

No sightings however and it was raining, so no change either.  

On to explore and grab a bite of lunch

Kinda like pizza on a baguette 

A lovely city and very very clean

A beautiful park back down by the Oceanography Institute

Driving over to the otherside of the harbor

to Monte Carlo and the Casino area

The Opera

The Jewels

The Casino

The cars.  Somebody can get me this Ferrari for Christmas

Beautiful decorations

This is a temporary shopping center erected on this square in front of the casino, while the building that originally housed it is being renovated.  All the best shops of course.  Pretty cool looking for temporary buildings.

and just across the street another park that is so tropical

Heading out to Cannes

Not quite dressed for the red carpet, but hey I'm here

Walked through the Christmas market

with skaters

then we walked back along the coast - just beautiful

and along the ritzy shops

Georgio Armani

An exposition

The lovely Carlton Hotel 

Our guide picked us up here and we are off to Antibes

The church

The Creche

A small Absinthe bar in the basement of the Absinthe shop (local aperitif) 

Sunset shining on the French Alps

Ok it has been a long day and we are headed back to Nice.  It was a great tour and a great way to see a lot of the French Riviera in a short space of time.