French Riviera Road Trip: Why Vacations Don't End on January 1st

Let's be honest: after the marathon of family lunches and never-ending dinners, the only thing you really want is to run away. And that's exactly what we did. Destination? Nice, with all its radiant light, art, and that pinch of French "chic" that never hurts. Ours was a "slow" journey—partly because with an electric car, stopping isn't a setback; it's part of the fun.

Albenga: The Unexpected Surprise
If you think it's just a convenient charging spot, you're dead wrong. Besides an incredible sea bream on purple potato cream, I discovered panizze (imagine chickpea flour treated like a french fry: totally addictive!). But the real gem is the historic center: between the Cathedral and the Early Christian Baptistery with its mosaic vault, it felt like being in ancient Ravenna.

The Scent of Spring in January
January 2nd at the Hansbury Gardens was a mystical experience. While the rest of Italy was freezing, the flowers there were already in bloom and the fruits were vibrant with color. The descent towards the sea, with vegetation almost "swallowing" the buildings, truly makes you at peace with the world.

Art that hits the Soul (Matisse, Chagall, and Picasso)
Nice and its surroundings are a paradise for art lovers—the kind of art that actually touches you inside:

• Vence: In Matisse's Chapelle du Rosaire, you lose all sense of scale. The contrast between the white walls, the painter's black strokes, and the colored light filtering through the stained glass takes you straight into another dimension.
• The Chagall Museum: Sunday was dedicated to him. His canvases and stained glass speak of everything: war, mourning, faith... but above all, love. The section on the Song of Songs? Pure poetry.
• Vallauris: Did you know Picasso painted "War and Peace" on 100 square meters of panels inside a chapel? It's his "Temple of Peace." Then there are his ceramics in the adjacent museum: some are incredibly powerful, others unexpectedly elegant.

Wind in Your Face and Medieval Villages
A trip to the Côte d'Azur isn't complete without some movement. A bike ride from Cagnes-sur-Mer to Antibes with the wind in our hair, then up to the Grimaldi Castle. Side note: Saint-Paul-de-Vence is a little jewel, but watch the prices... 4 euros for a coffee feels a bit like a tourist trap!

The Tradition of the Galette des Rois
Before heading back, we couldn't miss the local tradition: the Galette des Rois. It's a typical Epiphany cake that comes with a cardboard crown. The rule is simple: there's a small porcelain figure hidden inside. Whoever finds it becomes King or Queen for a day and is guaranteed good luck for the year. Guess who found the surprise?

What about you? Are you more into museums and galleries or seaside bike rides?