This week, it is Patti’s turn to lead us – and she has chosen Cityscapes.
Being a country girl, I always fear these themes. Even if I have visited many cities, I mostly photograph their gardens and parks, art and architecture – details. As my latest visit was to Nice – I will try with something more from that visit. It was a city in change.
Nice is not just a place, it’s a feeling.
– Unknown
In 2022 Nice was voted the greenest city in France, with 50% of its surface covered by wooded areas. The reclaiming of greenery from concrete has its goal set to one tree for every inhabitant by 2026, and then the green area will be 20 ha. The carnival was held at the beginning of the green ”river” of reclaimed land, and we saw some really big buildings being teared down for this ambitious ecological plan.
The city overviews were taken from Castle Hill. And the two smiling girls were carnival guides – who handed out some welcoming acacia twigs to every guest. I found Nice to be a very smiling and friendly city.
If you have been to Nice, I am sure you have walked Promenade des Anglais along Baie des Anges. Everybody does. Maybe not all 7 kilometers, but a fair bit.
At the end of the 18th century, many Englishmen started spending their winters in Nice, and 1820 was an especially cold winter. Many beggars tried their luck in Nice, and some of the rich Englishmen suggested they could earn their living by building a promenade along the sea. The idea of ”Promenade des Anglais” was born.
When the French celebrated their National Day here on July 14, 2016, there was a terrorist attack where hundreds of people were injured and 86 people lost their lives. This week we learned that Navalnyj had just died in a Siberian Gulag, and people showed their grief, sympathy and protest in flowers, candles, texts and photos on the monument of the attack.
The beautiful olive tree, by Laurent Bioso, in Old town Nice – an image of strength and resilience.
The glass construction of the railway station involved cranes and workers all over the place, and was contrasting their green ecological plan with trees, parks and wooden playgrounds.
Finally – we had some delicious food! Excellent restaurants and lovely personnel – here are two of the best!
Nice is proving that heaven is a place on earth. But with better cuisine.
– Unknown
At the outskirts of the city, in St Jean-Cap-Ferrat, we had the most delicious ice-cream I have ever tasted…but sooo expensive. We could have bought a whole dinner for that money. But…….
In Nice, every day is a new adventure waiting to happen. – Unknown
Surprisingly, we found Sir Winston Churchill standing at his easel in the harbour, carefully painting the beautiful scenery. The artist, Paul Rafferty, wanted the statue to be placed where Churchill often painted his beloved French coast.
A big thank you for posting so many circular wonders last week! Amazing creativity – and some of you pointed out that suddenly you saw circles everywhere! I hope you have stopped spinning by now…I am trying to…
This week we’re showcasing cities, large and small – what are the features of your chosen city? Show us images that are part of your overall impression of the city. If you want, focus on two cities, and compare their features. Thank you for broadening the theme, Patti! Please be sure to link to Patti’s original post and include the “lens-artist” tag.
Next week, it’s Tina’s turn to lead LAPC #292, so be sure to visit Travels and Trifles next Saturday at noon EST for her inspiring post.
Until then, be kind and have a great week!
Leya 
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I’ve been to Nice, too long ago and my memories of it aren’t nearly as lovely. I can see how much you enjoyed your time there from this and your previous post. I’m sure we’re in for a treat when you come back from Japan…!
Thank you so much, Sofia – it is closing in now…we leave April 23. So excited! More tips? What to eat? What to buy? Aquarelle colours called Gansai Tambi should be excellent. But where to go for it…
Yes, I enjoyed Nice! I will try photography in Japan inspired by you. Light and doors, simplicity. ButIi cannot do serenity as easily as you seem to do it.
Send me where you’re going, I might have a few tips although it’s been 10 years since I’ve been to Japan.
You are very kind, Sofia! Thank you, anything will be much appeciated. Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, Hiroshima, Nara, Kokura, Sagano, Arashiyama…Most wondering about the big cities. I’d love to buy their handmade watercolours-Gansai Tambi, and something for my grandchild. There will not be much time for shopping (not my thing), but maybe there are big stores with everything and small art shops?
And food…grateful for anything – we don’t eat sushi!
Your selection of vistas from Nice is awesome, Ann-Christine!
I am glad you liked them – sad with the terror but they made a beautiful monument for remembering. I believe people need a place to go to remember and think…I loved that they included Navalnyj
Wonderful portrait of Nice, AC. It’s been many years since I was there, but clearly I need to visit again! I love the Promenade des Anglais. Such a gorgeous spot. And the tribute to the memory of Navaljne is very touching. Your ”people” shots are wonderful, too!
Thank you, Patti – there is so much to see, we will have to go again! The Matisse museum was closed for example. But I understand this time of the year is superb if you want to avoid the many tourists.
Love all the public art!
Thank you, Dawn – yes, there were many lovely ones.
Great selections. LOVE that sunset!
Thank you, John! We had several beauties that week.
Loved the metal tree sculpture, Ann-Christine. It looks like the juniper trees in my yard.
Well, the city of Nice ought to buy this post from you as an inducement to visit it – apart from buying an ice cream maybe.
Haha, you are funny – but I still loved that ice cream…
👍
Nice looks like an amazing and vibrant city. Thank you for sharing it with us. Wonderful shots for the challenge.
The acacia surprised me, we think of it as an Australian native, we often call it wattle.
Good to know – wattle. I think we have several species, and the Australian one is the original for those we have here in Sweden. There is also an African variety, but it seems scientists cannot agree in naming them properly. Thank you for extra info!
Nice sounds like the sort of city I would love to visit, you have showcased it so well
Thank you – yes, I guess you would have liked it! So much art and friendly, smiling people.
That was a lovely walk around the city of Nice 😍
I am glad you tagged along!
I so loved the circular wonders of last week! As for Nice. .. laughed when I read…”being a country girl”. Same…. I have so much respect for the city being voted 2022’s greenest city. I have done a lot of reading on the idea, and have joined other cities who are working hard to bring green back. Tree city USA are a great start. I was saddened to hear of the death(s) of resulting from terrorists attacks. Thank you for perpetuating the memory here. I can never understand those things.
The idea of the promenade was interesting, and Nice looks like a city I would love. I think my favorite photo has to be of Churchill, complete with cigar, bringing the sculpture the personality it deserves. (I was hoping you would showcase Nice, thank you)
Wow, happy I managed to nail your hopes then! Tree city USA? I will have to do some reading there – never heard of it. I love the idea – it is a good start on something essential that has to be done.
The terrorist attack hit us all hard here in Europe. And we had a similar one in Stockholm – not so many casualties there, but a man driving a truck hitting people. Just like in Nice. A large part of the promenade was also rebuilt to make this impossible in the future.
Also glad you liked the Churchill statue – I loved it. As you say, perfect study of his posture and personality!
Good to see you yesterday 😀
Yes. So great to see you. Your grace and wisdom, exactly as I imagined. I wish I would have been on my laptop. I would have walked you out to my garden which is blooming profusely right now.
You are very kind, Donna, and I loved seeing you! I wish we could have talked a bit more – but I am a bit shy and quiet. Maybe your garden is still blooming next time? Hope to see it!
What a beautiful city Nice is! Your photos told a great story of your visit. I felt like I was there, too. My favorites were the views from Castle Hill and the promenade sunset.
Thank you, Egidio – we had some marvellous sunsets that week.
What a lovely visit, A-C! Thanks for sharing. I’ve never been to Nice. The closest I’ve gotten is the end of Paris-Nice cycling race. 🙂 But you certainly made it look attractive.
I am glad it seemed attractive to you, Janet! Strange how I have changed – a visit in 1976 did not impress me at all. But, that was in the heat of summer and thousands of tourists…
I agree with you that Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but after the artist provided it.
:-D♥
Beautiful cityscapes, Ann-Christine! I love the statue of Churchill painting the scene by the marina, but you had me at sunset on the promenade. I guess I am a sucker for the golden hour.
Thank you, John – and a sucker for the golden hour – aren’t we all!
Ann-Christine, you had me at ice cream–no matter what the cost! Your images were wonderful and thanks for taking me there!
Anne – so true, that ice cream was worth every euro♥…even if I had to starve that evening…
😍
It does look beautiful, Ann-Christine, but not one to visit with empty pockets. Still, walking the promenade is cheap!
True, the promenade was free and a lovely treat every evening. Cyclists, walkers, runners, dogs, old men and women, kids and youngsters…Everyone was there! And that icecream…..was worth every euro. Had to starve that evening though…
🤭❤️
Just stunning photos! That sunset of the promenade is phenomenal.
Thank you, we had some lovely sunsets – I was very grateful. I am seldom at the sea, where they peak in beauty!
All so familiar as this is where I’m fortunate to live.
Wow, you live there? Envious! I did not know. Were you at the carnivals too?
No, we swerve Carnival. It’s fabulous but the crowds and traffic……
I see – I guess you have seen it many times enough!
Exactly
Undoubtedly, an artist’s cameras have a clinical eye for capturing beauty where ordinary mortals cannot see.
I take it as a compliment? I believe beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
Oh for some sunshine…. just jealous:-)
That week made miracles with my mood – sunshine and no wind, temperatures perfect for me – 17 degrees C. Hope you will get some sunshine too – we have grey days here.
We hope… ar the momentbits swivhes by the day between rain rhen shine
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Lovely post, AC.. and what a great place. I enjoyed my Virrtual stroll….
Glad you enjoyed it!
👍😊😊
Beautiful post Ann-Christine. I loved Nice when I studied in France, such a gorgeous town. I’m so happy to hear they’re focused on being green!! I learned something new from your post. I had no idea Churchill was a painter and the statue is perfect! really enjoyed the text that went with your images this week – felt like I was right beside you!!
Thank you, Tina! I know I give too little energy to the texts. That is why I write poetry and not novels…I am a quiet person. So happy you came along and walked right beside me – then I am in good company!
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