The drive south was pleasant along the toll roads until we got to Nice. Then our GPS either failed or we had driver error (like pilot error) and we made several turns that required the GPS to demand "Turn around when possible". So lots of turns up and down the mountains, hairpin turns through residential neighborhoods but finally finding a parking lot right on the shore of the Med in Villefranche-sur-Mer. We parked and had a long uphill walk looking for our planned restaurant. Stopped several folks along the way to show them the name and street address and nobody knew where it was except for one lady that said "I don't know where it is but it's close". She was French. But after some wandering around we did stumble upon the Le Cave Natur where we had an outside table in the shade and immediately called for some Provence rose. Bob was a basket case by now so he was in need. After getting his heart rate reduced we ordered the specialties, crab meat with avocado, tomato on a huge slice of Italian bread and a side salad, Bob had the duck breast with mushrooms, tomato, walnuts with side salad. After requesting some olive oil both were outstanding but alas we were too stuffed for dessert.
So after this respite it was back to the car for more hairpin streets, most were two-way traffic but parking limited the width to only one car. Exciting, no? After much turning the wrong way we finally found the villa where we had booked an apartment. The owning family had bought the chateau in the late 1940's (after the war) and much has been converted into apartments for short-term rentals but "Glory" they had installed an elevator as our booking was on the 3rd level. When we walked in the double set of patio doors opening onto the terrace gave us the view of the Med like nothing we'd ever seen before. The position of the villa up the hill gave a magnificent view of the Low Corniche, the marina, St. Jean-Cap-Ferrat and the water to the horizon dotted with yachts anchored in the bay. The photos don't do it justice. The view was from every window. The apartment itself was very nicely furnished and the fabrics were beautiful,decorator coordinated, and expensive. The floors are marble including the terrace, the bath and kitchen functional and it is over twice the size of our house in Roussillon.
Being a bit tired from our adventures of the day we decided to not go out again. So we had some wine we had brought and some prosciutto di San Daniele, salami, olives and called it dinner. We could still enjoy the views from the apartment which were still in bright sunshine when we toddled off to bed.
Below views from our terrace:
Villa Kerylos at Beaulieu-sur-Mer
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