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French Riviera Special
By Peter Lee
When the French Impressionist painters described French Riviera region, it was always the sunlight, beautiful beach, vivid
Mediterranean plantation and the bluish Mediterranean water which charmed them, especially the sunlight that stirred up the
impressionist revolution.
Nice was once the seaside retreat for English aristocracy in early 20th century. Today, it still preserves much of its
original elegance. While Paris preserves more of its medieval structures, Nice is modern and colorful with little trace of
orthodoxy. Far from the governing influence of the North, Nicoise are indulgence in their own way and style. Like any fun
loving people over the world like Latin and Mexican, Nicoise celebrate "Battle of Flowers" ('Batailles des Fleurs') with
great fanfare and especially the elaborate three week carnival in the wake of early spring. Days and nights, Nicoise
celebrate the coming of spring. Summer is celebrated with the grand Jazz Festival at Cimiez. Nicoise are always indulged in
some form of festival atmosphere. You can slowly savor them if you have the time for a slightly longer holiday there just
for relaxing.
Not until the later part of nineteenth century, Monaco was the poorest state in Europe. It was no more than a huge bare
rock literarily. Nothing used could be grown on it, residences of Monte Carlo survived by selling salt and Custom rights to
France. Europeans then could hardly associate Monte Carlo with romance and ventures. Though Monte Carlo got its name
indirectly
from the Prince Charles, the history of Monte Carlo is the glory of one of the most capable and legendary
financiers in Europe - Francois Blanc.
Francois Blanc ran a very successful casino in Germany. In 1863, he was attracted by the concession offered by Prince
Charles and determined to build a fine and luxurious casino in Monte Carlo. With his diplomatic skill, he managed to acquire
a 50 year franchise and persuaded the French authorities to construct a highway alongside the sea to ensure easy access for
moneyed people. His ambition grew and he started to set his eyes on the world. As a bargain, he lent five million francs to
the French government at an extremely low interest rate. In return he was granted the liberty to build the necessary roads
and railways to reach the vicinity of his casino. The growth of Monte Carlo was much due to the lagging of gambling industry
in France for six decades. Casinos were banned in France then. It was only until 1933 that French government saw great
opportunity in gambling industry and suddenly legalized it. However, six decades was sufficiently for Monte Carlo to
establish itself as the Macca of gamblers in Europe.
The contribution of Francois Blanc is still celebrated in Monte Carlo today. It becomes a tradition that the citizens of
Monte Carlo are barred from the casino on the anniversary of Blanc's death as a form of mourning.
Chance plays legends in Monte Carlo. One of the most talked about legend here was a demi-monde lady who won 15 million
francs at the casino when she put 10 louis on a red which came up 21 consecutive times! The fortune and fame brought her a
string of romance including King Alfonso XIII of Spain, Reza Shah of Persia, etc. However, despite all these, she concluded
her life in abject poverty in a little-furnished room in Nice.
Food is a celebration in Riviera. Any dish you ordered in any restaurant is always prepared to highest standard. Be sure
to try a few local specialities including Daube (bruised beef with spices and red wine) and soupe de poisson (a delicious all
liquid fish soup served with croutons and spicy maionaisse) with Chateneuf du Pape (red wine) in the comfort of Mediterranean
breeze - a sublime experience you will never forget.
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