Ventimiglia, Italy

Two weeks ago on my last day in Cannes, I went to Ventimiglia, Italy for the weekly Friday market. Nothing like a piccolo taste of Italia before heading back to Paris same afternoon. 

And the colors! The shuttle train took 2 hrs from Cannes (13€ A/R). 

1st stop the covered market. Many small producers with their farm-grown products.

One seller had a bowl of eggs 50 centimes each. Of course there were bigger specialty vender; butcher shops, hazelnut sellers,etc.

Temptation took me in La Bottega dell Olio (box #12). So many anchovies ❤️🤸‍♂️

CHEESE 🧀 

Lordie I asked the Fr woman ahead of me in line if she was stocking up for a soirée? Non,non, just the weekly haul of Gorgonzola, Locatelli, Grana Padana, etc. She lived in MENTON, a 20-minute train ride away lucky duck 🦆 

Limoni 

US perfect egg-shaped citrus are not lemons. Why take away the beautiful bumps?

This pile of limoni is right out of 17th century painting by BartolomeoBimbi.

Further end of the street waits outdoor venders with clothing etc. Those white lacy shorts & tops you see Cannoise wearing can be bought here for 14€ (before bargaining).

Gelato is waits every few steps in Ventimiglia. This is Italy.

My haul:

Red-stripped zipper bag (5€)to carry stuff home

A kilo of 10-month aged Grana Padana cost 10,99€ 

Portable mini hand fan

Sun-dried tomatoes 🍅 

Tube of anchovie paste

Jar of anchovie oil

Not shown: a slice of ricotta cheese cake from formagio. 

Small pizza

2-dips of noisette/cafe gelato

A bowl of sliced watermelon. 

2 hours is enough to do Ventimiglia. The train ride back to Cannes took longer. Plus on the same day the 5 1/2 hours on the non-stop Grand Vitesse TGV back to Paris = about 10+ hrs non-stop sitting. Upshot? Last Friday I was hit with sciatica. The same day I got mild food poisoning (I lost 8 pounds in 4 days..since all returned). And because things come in 3s, my French bank called. They were canceling my credit card. Suspicious online fraud activity; 5€ for car service and 10€ for bike rental. How does my bank know I don't rent bikes or hire cars? They know me better than I do 😳 This is why I've been rather quiet of late. Don't worry. I'm drawing 🎨 standing up and on the mend. PLEASE do not email me. Put any comments on the blog svp 🙏🏻 Still Ventimiglia was worth it...almost. Stay COOL PBers.TMI.Thanks for reading Parisbreakfasts. Feel free to share. If you'd like a personalized cat 😺 watercolor or Paris letters let me know🥂🍾🍒. Love❤️ from Carolg in Paris

Antibes, Trains Express Régionaux, Cannes - Ventimiglia

After a couple of hours in Cannes I took the coastal train back to the town of Antibes, maybe a 5 minute trip.

These Trains Express Regionaux are a joy to ride. 

Air-conditioned, with nice bathrooms. A terrific way to see the whole Riviera right from your window.

Cheap too. A day ticket can be 10€ Get off and on as you like all the way to Ventimiglia, Italy. If you have a carte senior for the train 1/2 the price.

The trains can get crowded at times but usually the crowds get off after a stop or two.

Riviera train stations are very attractive. I should have sat down and painted this one.

Such a pretty town.

Wonderfully warm colors.

Does every French town of a decent size have a carrousel? There are 2 in Antibes.

The biggest problem when traveling is figuring out where to eat. PLAN AHEAD. Must read up before I get into town.I usually end up underwhelmed and overpaying, except for these excellent moules farci - the same as escargot and delicious.

In future I will opt for simpler fare.

Antibes' marché was loaded with plenty of bistros that would have suited me fine.

Serving typically local dishes as well. Live and learn.

Nearby the marché Picasso's chateau Grimaldi came highly recommended. Franchement I think the Paris Picasso museum is far superior.

But a nice photography show on.

And the views out the windows are spectacular. What a beautiful town.

Be sure & get a good window seat on the train facing the ocean 🌊 

I'm finally getting around to paint those views.

Almost as good as being there...

Thanks for reading Parisbreakfast. If you'd like to receive Parisbreakfast letters, maps and watercolors in your mailbox, take a look in my Etsy shop.

Have a sunny Riviera day!