Toulon, France

      Next stop is Toulon, France. We did the Mediterranean a few years previous, and one of the ports was Marseille. We did a shore excursion to Aix-en -Provence and a small French village Lourmarin, so we decided to just hang out in this cute little beach town of Toulon. You can ride the little train for €7 or €10 for 2 stops. One is the city center and the other is the beach, but only 1 time. However we decided to walk to the town, which is extremely easy. You walk out the port and follow the sidewalk along the outside cafes, and we turned down the street to the market with fresh vegetables, olives, fruit, and everything else like clothing, etc. It took all about 10 minutes.

Then we turned left and ended up on a tiny street which is an art district with olive oil and candy stores.

 We bought olive oil at a nice shop and some other souvies. We ended back up where the cafes were for granita, beer and wifi. We are in the middle of a heat wave here, so anything with ice sounds good. We decided to be brave and walk to the beach which it about 25 minutes. It wouldn't of been so bad if it wasn't so hot. If we brought towels we would of jumped into the ocean, but we didn't plan for that, plus no bathing suit. So of course we ended up getting a couple iced cold drinks oceanside before we head back. 

We took a side street which was shaded and ended up at the cruise terminal which had some really cute original Christmas ornaments. I  got the ornament for €7. Lavender is everywhere, and reasonably priced, even in the cruise terminal. For €4 I got a lavender soap and satchet. 

Walking to the town is easy. Going to the beach I would bring towels, bathing suit , and take the little train. There is no shade unless you eat at one of the restaurants. It was more of a chill day  for us which was needed after all the long excursion days. 

#Toulon #France #ToulonFrance #Travelingtheworld #Lovetotravel

Nice, France

 

We also drove along the Grand Prix circuit which is a big deal in Monte Carlo. We added in Nice because a couple people on our tour were continuing on that for portion. So we took a scenic drive to Nice and walked though old town, had lunch at a French restaurant for a caprese salad and bruschetta, with an aperol spritz. I had to have one, and this was the perfect time with the heat, and also needed wifi to check in. 

Then we walked along the boardwalk by the beach which we could see was very rocky. 

Walked by the main square for some photos then back to our tour guide.

 It was a great day, and lots of dreaming. At night I went up on deck to take some night time photos. It was amazing. A beautiful, safe, little city that I can only dream of. 

#Nice #NiceFrance #montecarlo #Monaco

#Frenchriveria

Monte Carlo, Monaco

    A scenic drive from Èze to Monte Carlo to watch the changing of the guards. It was another hot day with no shade, and wished I had a shade umbrella. It was already pretty crowded so my spot was further back where they come out of the building to start the march.

My favorite pic is 2 little boys in the hot sun stretching their necks over the chain to get a glimpse. We bought a couple t-shirts which were only €10 each. I thought they would be a lot more because, it's Monaco.

St. Paul's Anglican Church. This is where Princess Grace and Prince Ranier were married and buried. We were on a time crunch to meet out tour guide, so didn't go in. I did see numerous people turned away at the front because of shorts and their shoulders exposed. 

 After that we head over to the world famous casino. I don't gamble, but we were allowed to go in the lobby which was very extravagant and gold. I can't even pretend that I'm rich!!

 Outside around the casino is every imaginable expensive car you can ever dream of. Rolls Royce, Lamborghini, Ferrari and more. 

I tried to get  few pics, but not as nice as I would of wished for. You will see people at cafes dripping with money. The yachts in the harbor are ridiculous. 

     

Trip advisor tour we took

My rides here!! 

A view from above.I think this was the largest yacht there. I wonder who it belongs to? 

    

#MonteCarlo #Monaco # Mediterranean #Lovetotravel #highrollers

Èze and Fragonard Fragrance Factory

 

Eze: The Laboratory Factory

Suspended above the sea, on the Moyenne Corniche between Nice and Monaco, stands our perfume, soap and cosmetics factory equipped with the most modern laboratories and workshops.

Discover the trade secrets of perfumes and cosmetics in a free guided visit.

Trip advisor tour from cruise ship

       When we are done walking through Èze we go to the Fragonard Fragrance Factory to see how they create fragrances, soaps and cosmetics. 

Some of the antique perfume bottles we see on display before we tour the factory.

Walking through the factory.

After we tour the factory we go downstairs to sample fragrances and you can buy parfums. They had some really good deals, but I didn't want to buy the parfums because I was looking for something a little less expensive for gifts for my daughter, who doesn't wear parfum, but eu de toilette. Also I didn't want the gold plain bottle which the parfums came in. It was about 7 different scents and I know some of the scents she wouldn't like. I wanted something more French and pretty looking so bought 2 fragrances for €46, which was a pretty good deal I thought. Onto the scenic drive back to Monaco to watch the changing of the guards.

The view from on top.