The end of summer is a subject at our studio lately. We talk about the perfect light when we decide to shoot still-lifes around five o clock with the sun still gold and bright and we dream of a weekend getawayjust to go swimming into the Mediterranean Sea before autumn falls.
I just bought a book of the photographer, Jacques-Henri Lartique and gather all about latest exhibits around the Côte d’Azur which I must visit. Summer will be back but this time of the year we all want to hold on and soak in last golden, still warming sun rays.
IRMA selected her favourite places for a sundowner after an evening swim in the sea.
La Cigale Vista Beach
This beach club and restaurant closes at the end of September which makes you want to hop on the next plane just to have lunch at the Cigale Vista beach and dive into the still warm sea for a quick last swim before you order the catch of the day with some chilled Rosé. This treat is a must before autumn that leaves your skin glowing and your senses high.
You can visit the nearby Jean Cocteau Museum in Menton or his splendid Villa in Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat,
Le Bar de la Colombe d’Or
This is a classic and no news but when the autumn sun shines golden over the hills of Saint-Paul-de-Vencethis place gets magnificent and a drink and famous haut d’oeuvre at the bar makes you simply feel super happy. Of course, you can visit the Fondation Maeght just five minutes away but honestly no need to change places as the La Colombe d’Or is packed with art and objects.
Better go for a quick swim in their Miro surrounded pool and feel like a collector being home.
Ask for a fresh after dinner mint tea made with the leaves from their garden
Le Bar Fitzgerald, Hotel Belles Rives
If you’d like to be close by the sea and watch the sunset while listening to some jazz from the piano this bar is your place.
Go for a round of water skiing in the early evening and then treat yourself with a drink at the famous Fitzgerald Bar where nothing much has changed and the interior gets you dreaming of the 30s Côte d’Azur, just think of the photography by Jacques-Henri Lartique.
Come before October and visit the Museé Nationale de Pablo Picasso in Vallauris for his latest exhibition, Years in Vallauris
Le Plage Gourmande, Hotel Les Roches Rouges
Order a tarte tropezienne for the blue hour or stay with some chilled rosé and black olives from the Var. The terrace overviewing the magnificent pool and seaside by the Hotel Les Roches Rouges brings us back to nature. Colours like ochre, red and white, Azur blue makes this place close to the esterel mountains a perfect balance to their 50s modernist design of the hotel building. The sea smells of salt and you will find it difficult to make a choice where to go for a swim.
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