5.8.15

Menton, Gorbio...


On my way to Italy and shared holidays with kids and grand-kids, I made a stop to visit blog-friend Jilly – once more. She lives close to the little village Gorbio, on the hills overlooking Menton. (See some photos from my first visit here.)

Nobody welcomes you better than Jilly. Here are some pictures from her nice terrace, where you could sit for hours, admiring the landscape (even with a little glimpse of the Mediterranean), enjoying a glass of roséwine…

Before going further with this post, maybe a look on a map would help to situate Gorbio and the other places Jilly brought me to during the too few days I spent in the area.

From the Italian-French border, first a distant look at Menton (see previous posts) and the sea with people enjoying the wonderful transparent water…

… but this is also where you find a number of refugees, arriving massively in Italy and then trying to reach other European destinations.

Jilly brought me to the village Sospel, once a staging post on the road from Nice to Turin. The toll bridge crossing the river Bévéra, dates from the 13th century. We spent a few hours, including a very nice lunch - in the shade.

















The following day we went to another charming medieval village, Sainte-Agnès. Despite the hot weather, some still had to work.



From the top of the village, some 800 m (2.600 ft) over sea level, you can find the remains of the Maginot defence line from the 1930’s, look at the Mediterranean, Italy… and enjoy a lunch with Jilly and her friend, who lives in the village.

During my stay, I did of course some walking around Gorbio (see also top picture) with its more than 300 year old elm tree - in the middle of the central square...

… where we also enjoyed a nice dinner.

Jilly takes all kinds of positions to take photos, especially of dogs. She also photographed Elfy (her photo here), the Boston Terrier belonging to my daughter and her companion, who came to pick me up for further transportation to Italy.  


In order to admire Jilly’s wonderful photos, I suggest you visit her different sites, here, here, here and here

13 comments:

Virginia said...

You and Jilly both know how I"ve longed to get to that part of France and see it for myself. Since I've not so far, yours and Jilly's photos must suffice.LOVE this post and your photos Peter, and what fun to see our dear Jilly! Ellie is as cute as ever. Glad he was photographed by Jilly. Maybe he'll be on her dog blog!

Welcome home,
V

Amanda said...

Having friends living in Provence or any particular region helps a lot. I am sure Jilly is the perfect hostess!

Shammickite said...

Wonderful photos, what a charming and photogenic area you were visiting. Beautiful, that's all I have to say!!!!

Shammickite said...

Are those logs? In the shape of a cross?

PeterParis said...

> Shammickite: Yes! :-)

Jilly said...

Peter, what a wonderful reportage and beautiful photos of the time you spent here. As always it is such a treat and a pleasure to have you stay - come back soon!

Jilly said...

Virginia, yes Elfy is already on Riviera Dogs.

Anonymous said...


Beautiful post and beautiful photos!
Happy to know that you and Mme. Jilly had such a wonderful visit.
Love that sweet dog.
Thank you, M.Peter.

claude said...

Comme d'habitude, un très beau reportage.
Il faudra qu'un jour on pousse jusqu'à Menton.

Cergie said...

Même Lyliane ne te welcome pas aussi bien que Jilly ?
Elfy est un modèle timide mais très photogénique.... Ma favorite photo est celle de l'enfant en haut de l'escalier. J'aime bien aussi l'elm tree. Il est plus âgé et plus gros que celui en face de l'église St Gervais.
J'espère que tes vacances en si bonnes compagnies t'ont bien reposé...

Thérèse said...

Cela sent vraiment les vacances et les amitiés partagées!

Studio at the Farm said...

Wonderful post, Peter - thank you! You do seem to find the most beautiful and welcoming places to visit :)
Kathryn

French Girl in Seattle said...

Génial! Peter, Jilly, Menton, Gorbio, et davantage encore, sans oublier l'adorable petit chien. Super reportage, Monsieur Olson! :-) Véronique