Beaulieu-sur-Mer

Beaulieu translated means "pretty place" and that it may be,  but to many of us who live here, it's a pristine... but unexciting town reserved for those with deep pockets . 

But perhaps it is much more.  

First of all it is the home to at least three legendary Cote d'Azur attractions: The Kerylos House, the seaside promenade to Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat and the doorstep of Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild.  Plus it has the distinction of being the sister city of Tempe, Arizona. 

Every year four French students are paired with four American students,  and they each spend five weeks in one another's country. This student exchange is with the Tempe Sister Cities organization, which has been voted "Best Overall Sister City Program" in both 1998 and 2004.

  Ah ha, bet you didn't know that.  Also the famous restaurant and hotel , La Reserve makes its home in Beaulieu.  

So while brother Roge was here we took in all of these except the Villa Rothschild.  That we will save for another trip when the gardens are in their splendor. 

If you are wondering how to board the coastline bus now while they are constructing the new bus station,  you can pick it up at the corner of Place Garibaldi.  And until May 2, it is still only one euro.  If you want to take pics, make sure you are on the side opposite the driver.  Here we go.

Photo by John Puckett

Photo by John Puckett

Photo by John Puckett

Roge grabbed these breathtaking views of Villefranche from the bus window.

Photo by Mary Payne

We got off in the middle of town and walked past the park and casino past the architectural gem called "La Rotunde".

Photo by John Puckett

Photo by Mary Payne

Photo by John Puckett

La Rotunde, it says, was transformed into a hospital to treat 1500 french soldiers injured in the last battle of WWII beginning in June 1940.   

Photo by John Puckett

Here are some cacti, gifts from the visiting students from Arizona found in a little plot in the middle of town.

Photo by Mary Payne

Photo by Mary Payne

Photo by Mary Payne

Photo by John Puckett

Photo by John Puckett

Photo by John Puckett

Photo by Mary Payne

Photo by Mary Payne

And this is the Villa Kerylos which is one of my favorite sites on the Riviera and which we will visit in a later post.

Photo by Mary Payne

Photo by John Puckett

Photo by Mary Payne

Photo by John Puckett

Looking back on the site of Beaulieu ........indeed, a beautiful spot.