There’s a certain aesthetic standard here, a belief that life is more pleasurable in a beautiful setting, and it doesn’t need to be anything fancy, the French are passionate about the elegance of simplicity. Touring in the South of France you see this aesthetic in the natural surroundings, the gardens, the art, the decor and at the table. We had a beautiful day in the BIG city, Nice, France {about a 20 minute drive from our Pied de Eze}, and took in so much I am going to break it into a couple of posts, so you can enjoy the best of the beauty from this day without being overwhelmed. The day started at the Cours Salaya antiques market where I came across this well-loved artist kit.
and this stunning set of Dior “Art de la Table Assiettes {plates}” trimmed in silver. These 2 items seemed to set the tone for the day.
After shopping the market we lunched and watched the people go by from our outdoor table at Chez Freddy. Next, we drove up to the beautiful neighborhood of Cimiez, brimming with elegant Belle Epoque mansions and home to two museum gems, the Museé Matisse and the Musee Marc Chagall along with many other attractions. The Jardin des Arénes de Cimiez, framed by 100-year-old olive trees is always filled with families and friends walking, biking and playing boulles. On our visit the fruit was just beginning to form.
This garden is the center of three alluring sites, The Museé Matisse, A spectacular Franciscan Monestary with stunning gardens over-looking Nice and impressive Roman Ruins.
Shall we start out at the Matisse? It’s one of my favorites, come on, let’s take a stroll…
Tempete a Nice shows a stormy day on the Promonade des Anglais, the waves of the Mediterranean are angry and the clouds are dark and heavy….
Tempete a Nice {A storm in Nice}, Henri Matisse
Matisse lived on the top floor of this statuesque yellow villa in the Cours Salaya for many years, so I’m sure he watched many a storm roll in from Africa, which allowed him to capture the intensity.
Residence of Henri Matisse, Cours Salaya, Nice, France
The light of the South of France allowed him to illustrate the textures, colors and shadows as seen by his incredible eye in these portraits…
Nu Dans un Fauteuil, Plante Verte {Nude in Armchair, Green Plant}, Henri Matisse
Letrice á la Table Jaune {Latrice at the Yellow Table}, Henri Matisse
Figure Endormie {Figure Sleeping}, Henri Matisse
still lifes,
Travail & Joie {Work & Joy}, Henri Matisse
Nature Mort aux Livres {Still life of Books}, Henri Matisse
and intense self portraits.
Self Portrait, Henri Matisse
Self Portrait, Henri Matisse
In his later years, it was more difficult for him to paint so he focused his creative talents on paper cutouts artfully arranged, this massive display in on the bottom floor of the Museum.
There were also artifacts from his life, including rooms recreated with his furnishings and this wonderful palate he had used, which made me think of the paint kit from the market that morning.
Palette de Couleurs D’Henri Matisse
Well that is it from the Musée Matisse, next post we’ll continue on to those stunning gardens in the Monestary, the Chagall Museum and a splendid dinner!
Enjoy!
Nothing better than a brocante-museum combo in the south of france!