From
all the years of being a part of the French Riviera, I’m surprised I have never
really explored Juan-les-Pins, a small city along the sea that can easily be
found and accessed between Nice and Cannes.
I used to pass by it on the train a million times and would sometimes
think of stopping in and venturing around but of course every excuse would come
up as to why I couldn’t make the time.
The other night though a friend suggested that we go into Juan-les-Pins and she
would show me where she used to live and we’d wonder around and go for drinks
and a meal somewhere.
As
we were entering the area I was in love with what I was seeing right away, the
quaint shops, lively people, the way the tall palm trees stood and lined the
streets next to the buildings, it all seemed very alive and filled with spirit.
Because I am so in love and obsessed with the French Riviera, I seemed to know exactly
where we were going just from having looked at Google maps once or twice months
beforehand when I was trying to find out more information about a hotel I was
told about.
If it was that easy for me, I’m sure it will be easy for you to get
around. If you happen to be going by
train, I would suggest that once you arrive and exit the Juan-les-pins train station,
turn right, and keep going straight towards the sea a few blocks away and this will
help you get your bearings.
Really
take the time to follow along the waterfront, you can even jump in the sea to
cool down and have a swim and then continue to venture into the side streets to
see even more interesting shops, restaurants, bars, etc.
And then do yourself a favor and stop into one of the seaside beach restaurants
to enjoy a meal and meet the locals, it’s not unusual for the people at the
next table to start up conversations with you, this area doesn’t feel big city
and you’ll notice everyone seems to know one another to some extent.
Another thing that can’t help but be noticed is the amount of amazingly
beautiful men, especially those on the beach or working at the beach
restaurants. No steroids here, but all
natural, tight beauty. Your head will
not be able to stop spinning around to get a good look.
We
happened to arrive by car a couple of hours before sunset. A truly delicious time of day, people are
still swimming in the sea, shopping and slowly making their plans for the
night. It was so cool to see people out
and enjoying themselves and then as though there is a magic hour, another set
of people were arriving, well dressed and off to their favorite spot for
dinner. It seemed so easy to meet new
people from all parts of the world; you’ll feel as though you have been living
in Juan-les-Pins for years!
All I have to say is, after my first full evening in Juan-les-Pins, I have a
feeling I will be spending a lot more time there, and in fact I know I will be.
Anyone who has been to the French Riviera will likely
recognize the name of the multimedia artist, Patrick Moya and his colorful
works of art. In fact, this artist is so
busy and so popular that it’s becoming hard to keep up with what and where he
will be next!
Patrick Moya tends to be more commonly known by his last name Moya, and to me that name is
synonymous with the French Riviera.
Moya’s brilliant use of color and design is as big, bright and alive as
the region itself.
Moya
started out in the art world as a nude model, but if you’ve seen his energy in
action you’d know that he probably wasn’t content enough to settle at just one
thing. Moya is a multimedia artist who
seems to be able to work with or on any type of item placed in front of him, whether
he has a simple pen and piece of paper to canvas to delving into the computer
world and producing imaginative and bold pieces of art.
While I was in Cannes one day, I was given the opportunity to
meet Moya and have a tour of some of his artwork that at the time was being
exhibited inside the beautiful Centre d’art La Malmaison located along the
Croisette on the seafront.
Getting the chance to meet Moya was certainly unexpected
and I actually had a hard time believing it at first because I had admired his
work for so long from afar. Even when
the time came to head to the Centre d’art La Malmaison, I remember crossing the
Croisette in disbelief and then I saw Moya himself going into the building with
some others and for some reason it felt like I was about to meet a pop star.
I quickly (and nervously) made my way inside
where there was already a small group of people admiring his floor to ceiling
artwork. Soon afterwards Moya appeared
in the room with that fantastic smile of his, greeting everyone. Slightly star struck, I’m guessing it was the
PR person from La Malmaison who had found me in the crowd and brought me over
to introduce us to each other. All I can
say is…what a gentleman, so friendly and funny, my French still isn’t up to par,
but we seemed to understand each other, and I felt honored to meet him.
There
is something about Moya that is intriguing to me, he has a gift, he has a
passion and he puts that into his work, which probably explains why he is a
success. He was completely gracious and
giving of his time, I was smiling throughout the tour while he showed and
explained to us his thoughts behind his art, and he had a gleam in his eyes the
whole time that said he was in his element.
To
me, there is something innocent about his work, yet there are also parts of it
and pieces that you will come across that are futuristic, strong and even sometimes
dare I say, sexual. To see his art in
person just exudes happiness and a loving energy.
His
natural ability shines through when he produces his art, seemingly free and on
a whim, it totally amazes me. Moya’s art
can be found on the smallest of hand held items, yet you can also witness him enjoying
the moment with others at events such as the Dolly Parties while he paints to
the music.
This year Moya painted a race car to showcase his work as part of the Monaco Grand Prix! And, in cities such as Nice and Cannes you will also see his whimsical genius on parts of the region's public transit system!
The
best thing I can suggest you do is buy a piece of it if you see it, and gaze at
it in awe if it is on display somewhere openly for the public. I swear, he gets more famous by the month and his work is so expansive,
but here are a couple of links for you to check out to see what Moya is currently
working on now:
Events of all kinds took place this past weekend in the French Riviera to celebrate Pride and the 9th annual Pink Parade.
The support for the LGBT Community was overwhelmingly fantastic! Gay, Straight, Bisexual…whoever you are, everyone joined in the celebrations for how far things have come and a strong message was sent out as to how much more still needs to be done in terms of same sex rights, etc.
Reports from the media are that the Pink Parade held in Nice on June 16, 2012 drew up to 5000 participants, but organizers and friends say that number was more like 10,000 people.
I’ve mentioned this before but what I really like about this type of parade is the community spirit involved, the people at the Pink Parades are not just enjoying the floats and activities from the sidelines but are also active participants throughout the parade route itself.
Instead of just watching a parade, the people are the parade!
People of all ages, backgrounds and sexual preferences were united for the same causes. Another thing that I think is wonderful is how the various gay and gay-friendly businesses got together and instead of building their own floats showing their individual business support, it was not uncommon to see two, even three businesses all sharing one float.
This wasn’t done just for the Pink Parade either, many nightclubs had cross-promotional events supporting one another throughout the weekend from one end of the region to the other, and it was usually done also to support many LGBT associations such as the EGL (Establishment of the Gays & Lesbians of the Cote d’Azur).
If you are in Nice and happen to be walking in the area between Place Garibaldi and the port, you will likely stumble upon a business painted a striking yet gorgeous shade of red with matching awnings by the name of Gossip Bar.
Gossip Bar is a very gay-friendly establishment located in the heart of the ever popular "le petit Marais" district of Nice at: 7 rue Bonaparte
Actually, it should be noted that the owners of Gossip Bar are the ones who came up with calling the area, "le petit Marais". It started as a private joke, which eventually ended up in newspapers, locally first, then national and now international.
Gossip Bar really stands out, every time I am in the area I cannot help but to be drawn to it. One of the many things I like about Gossip Bar is if I’m looking for a place to take a break from my venturing around during the day, I can just relax and have a drink at one of their sidewalk tables and am still able to people watch. But the difference here is I am watching the locals go about their day as the area doesn’t seem to be overrun with tourists which can be a welcome change.
During the evening Gossip Bar is very much alive. Not only is it intimately lit inside and its interiors infused with even more touches of red here and there, but the space seems to cast off a wonderful glow that illuminates out on to the street where people also continue to socialize on a beautiful night.
Friends and I have stopped by to take part in the vibrant atmosphere, usually on a whim for drinks and a bite to eat and have ended up staying until closing. Here we know we will get great service from an exceptional and well trained staff, and there is so much to choose from on the delicious and varied menu, along with the drinks that are nothing short of spectacular! I’m not one to drink mojito’s but their special mojito’s are out of this world!
Gossip Bar is full of life yet it is also one of those places where you could go with someone special. Just find a cozy corner in which to have a wonderful dinner or choose to get to know the people at the tables around you and enjoy the evening together making new friends.
Another thing I like about Gossip Bar is how it is truly supported by the locals, it is not unusual to see other recognizable LGBT business owners in the community having something to eat, drink and perhaps sharing a laugh with a friend.