Nice and Saint-Paul-de-VenceJune 20–22, 2013 Why not take a stroll around Nice, since it’s a convenient stopover on the way Corsica? NiceMap
A resort town that isn’t entirely soulless.  The classic municipal trash can.  It also comes in halves.  Underground garbage containers.  A clever invention: the trash dumpsters couple together like railway cars, and a sanitation vehicle tows them away to their ultimate destination.  A sign warning drivers about a rising bollard (in place of a boom gate) on the road ahead.  An ugly bollard.  A nicer bollard.  Buddhas watching over a passing tram.  The buses in Nice have a front wing for some reason.  There are electric vehicle charging stations everywhere.  A bike rental station.  Phone booths.  A couple of intersections still have old, incredibly gorgeous pedestrian lights, which appear to suggest that the red man should stand on the edge of the sidewalk and cross between the dotted lines.  All restaurants must display a sign with their alcohol license type.  A historical building/site plaque.  Generally speaking, in terms of style the city is closer to Italy than France. For instance, the street name plaques look like Italian ones, except they’re not made of stone.  The architecture, however, is pure Italy.  Saint-Paul-de-VenceMapCuteness overload.  Lush greenery everywhere.  Spots that lack trees are filled with flower planters and pots. You feel like you’re walking through a flower shop.  Water valves are lovingly framed with oblong stones, making them resemble some sort of infusoria.  The town is situated at the top of a hill and surrounded by a wall. Views of the surrounding countryside open up on all sides.  The territory inside the wall can be walked from end to end in five minutes.  All the street name plaques consist of rock slabs held in place with wrought iron brackets.  A window grate.  A storm drain grate.  Underground garbage containers fit right in with their beautiful medieval surroundings.  You find yourself wishing you could become a cat and spend the rest of your days here, lounging on a windowsill.  |
