From Place To Space: Cassis & Marseille

Like every week I want to take you on a little inspiring voyage to yet another place. Even though I am just back from Copenhagen, I still want to share my last impressions from the Provence, France, with you. You remember my first coverages HERE and HERE, and today I am taking you to the last stops on my sunny trip - to Cassis and Marseille. Ready? Here we go!

Cassis is a charming little fisher town on the Provence coast not far away from the region's capital Marseille. I spent my birthday in Cassis and had one big plan in mind: to swim in the Mediterranean for the first time this year. And oh yes, I did it! Even though the water was pretty cold, I couldn't resist its crystal clear appearance and shimmers of all kind of blue and turquoise hues. Moreover, the way to the beach was pretty short - my swanky little design 'Hôtel de la Plage Mahogany' was just across the Bestouan beach. After a refreshing swim, I decided to hike a bit and discover the famous 'Calanques' of Cassis. 'Calanques' are steep-walled inlets and bays on the French coast. After a little hike I was rewarded with splendid views of the bays. A place to return again! A birthday dinner and the inevitable glass of champagne was later savoured with relish in the town's cute little port. Bliss!

Tomorrow, I headed off to the capital of the Provence, to Marseille. I went to Marseille a few years ago and blogged about it HERE, so I was pretty excited to see the city's development ever since as it is currently the 'European Capital of Culture'. And yes, there was lots of improvement visible. The entire old port area has been revamped and transformed into a cool pedestrian zone with interesting art and architectural installations like the mirrored ceiling of the 'Vieux Port Pavilion by Foster + Partners' and further on the brand new MuCEM museum that opened this month. Opposite of the MuCEM museum you will find the 'Musée Regards de Provence' with art from different eras representing the Provence, its nature, its people, its culture. 

So if you need a little inspiring voyage for one of your upcoming weekends (if you are in Europe), why not head to the bustling city of Marseille and its surroundings for sun, sea and culture. All in one! 

Happy week, friends!

P.S. Have you noticed all the Happy Interior Blog colours on the first picture? I LOVE it!

Photography by Igor Josifovic

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From Place To Space: Hello Côte d'Azur!

A new week has dawned on us and like every Monday I am inviting you to join me to a happy new voyage. Ready? Buckled up? Here we, destination: The swanky Côte d'Azur! We've started our voyage through the Provence in the south of France last week with THIS post, and today I am taking you down to the cosmopolitan French riviera. 

I spent almost a week mid-May in the south of France and visited many towns in the Provence. Today I would like to take you to Nice, Cannes and St. Tropez. Nice or Nizza is the fifth most populous city in France and the home of almost one million inhabitants. To be honest, I was pretty surprised. I always imagined Nice to be way smaller. But, the beautiful port town combines the advantages of both: the vast amenities of a big city and the laid-back lifestyle of a Mediterranean town. Of course I pranced down the renown 'Promenade des Anglais', passed the famous Art Deco Hotel Negresco and ranged the winding streets of Old Nice. Oh, of course don't miss to have a break down on the beach and enjoy an original 'Salade Niçoise' with a glass of chilled local rosé. Bliss.

After Nice I headed to luxurious Cannes, the home town of the world famous Cannes Festival. Actually, I was there just a few days before the festival hit off and observed all the last preparations including red carpets, movie billboards and more. Cannes is a smaller coastal town with a cute old town tucked on a hill and the glamorous 'La Croisette' where the festival takes place and the most luxurious hotels are located. Oh yeah, don't forget your shades and a good deal of attitude when walking down the Croisette!

My third station was St. Tropez, the party capital on the French riviera. Every summer St. Tropez is the chichi town for celebrities and wanna-bes and being there during high season equals a VIP status. Hence, I chose May instead of the high summer season. And it was just fa-bu-lous! The town was not overcrowded and the prices were still fair, so I enjoyed a good lunch in the port, walked the narrow streets of St. Tropez and - inevitable - visited the old 'Gendarmerie', the original location were the famous Louis de Funès films were shot (hence my excitement and jumping). Avoid summer but come in spring to this quaint little town which is also a shopping hot spot!

I hope you feel inspired, refreshed and warmed up for a happy new week? Oh, and this is not the end - next Monday I will blog about the last part of my Provence trip. Stay tuned!

Photography by Igor Josifovic

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From Place To Space: Grasse, the Capital of Perfumes

Hello friends! Today we are continuing our voyage through the beautiful south of France. The first stop I'd like to take you to is Grasse, the world acclaimed capital of perfumes. Grasse is located in the Provence in the south of France. It is pitched on a hill facing the wide plain of the southern Provence and overlooking the Mediterranean coast and the coastal town of Cannes.

The center of Grasse is an old, medieval town with stone buildings and narrow streets that end up in little squares with water fountains and stairs. But the real fame comes from a century old tradition - Grasse is the epitome of the perfume industry. The area around Grasse is very known for its rose production, lavender fields, fragrant jasmine. Since the end of the 18th century the perfume industry has been prospering in this quaint little Mediterranean town and is very present nowadays, too. The big names of the French perfume industry have their own houses and production facilities in Grasse. Moreover, they also have museums, villas, boutiques and most of the factories offer free guided visits.

I took the opportunity to visit the museum and the factory of renown Fragonard Parfumeurs and got an interesting insight into the production of perfumes from the early beginning up to today. I also learned that every perfume consist of three odorant levels, the head, the heart and the base (la tête, le coeur, la base). And did you know that there are but 50 perfume experts worldwide (the so-called 'noses' or in French 'les nez')? They are able to distinguish more than 2000 scents with their noses. Consequently, they have to lead a very healthy and dedicated life - no alcohol, no smoking, no spicy food and more. 

I was pretty lucky to be in town during the annual 'Expo Rose' festival. It is an international rose exhibition and the entire city is transformed into an fragrant rose capital. Rose petals lead the way through the old town, a big rose exposition showcases rare roses and a market with local produce bedazzle the senses - I had to give in and try a rose icecream, rose macarons and rose madeleines. It was incredibly delicious!

I need not mention that I left Grasse packed with perfumes for my family, friends and myself and keep reminiscing about this charming Provence town whenever I smell fresh roses, lavender, jasmine…

Happy Monday, my friends!

Photography by Igor Josifovic

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Ideas For A Happy Weekend

A long weekend is ahead and I have loads to do. After my last holidays in France I have heaps of pictures to sift through and select for my upcoming blog posts. So be prepared for very French coming weeks. I will kick start on Monday with the enchanting hotel in Honfleur (see the travel report HERE) and then continue with weekly posts from the Provence and Paris. But as you see, I couldn't keep it all for me until then so I am sharing a wild mix of shots from my last trips, among them a store front in Aix-en-Provence, colourful soaps from Marseille, a real 'Salade Niçoise' from Nice, the beach in St. Tropez, a vegetable market and roses in Grasse. Be inspired, be happy and enjoy the long weekend! À bientôt!

Photography by Igor Josifovic

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Happy Birthday 'Salut' From Cassis, France

Champagne for my friends! Where are you? I am waiting for all of you right here in the swanky little town of Cassis on the Côte d'Azur, France. I have a chilled bottle of bubbles waiting for us. So if you are not just around the corner, I am toasting with you virtually directly from the south of France. Today is my birthday and I am spending a de luxe day in Cassis before I head back to Paris tomorrow. I hope your week is off to a great start, too! Stay happy & cheerful and I will see you back here on Friday later this week! Bises à tous!

Illustration via Traffic

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Happy Voyage: Off To The Provence!

Hello my dear friends! While you read these lines I am in the TGV train on my way from Paris to the Provence! I am so excited as this is my birthday present - five days of sheer bliss in the south of France! I will be discovering swanky towns, rustic villages, cosmopolitan beaches. I will dive into the perfumes of the Provence, indulge in lavender and roses' scents, enjoy the sunshine, good food and a feast of love and joy! I will pop in here on my birthday on Monday just for a short hello. In the meantime, if you want to come along and discover the Provence in real time, follow me on Instagram! À tout à l'heure mes amis!

Illustrated Map via L'Occitane

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