Summer 2020,
To Mougins Village in Southern France!
so strange
Summer 2020 is about to end.
Start in a self-weight mood without normal freedom,
It suddenly became extremely hot, and it's already September.
everyone in the world
You must be feeling a sense of incongruity and confusion.
Speaking of summer Paris, French people, it is vacation.
From March to May this year,
French citizens who have experienced restrictions on going out for about two months,
I thoroughly enjoyed my vacation.
Despite all the economic crisis, declining income, and anxiety about the future, I'm going to take a proper rest in July.
This kind of thought process or action pattern
It may be difficult for people in countries without a vacation culture to understand.
In France, it is recognized as a natural human right,
Common sense has taken hold that vacations are definitely something you should take.
That said, very little
There are also French people who have decided to work this summer.
The same is true for self-employed restaurant owners.
For me, as a freelancer, vacations are a real luxury.
Because unlike working people, there is no paid vacation.
Resting equals income pressure, so
I haven't enjoyed a vacation like a vacation in the last few years.
However, this year, I will follow the example of the French people and set off on my journey!
It's only 3 nights and 4 days, but to the south of France, the Cote d'Azur.
In 2020, we, who continue to be tossed by the coronavirus,
Perhaps more than usual
Maybe you need a break or a change of pace.
Once you have decided to travel, the first thing to do is arrange transportation.
From Paris to Cote d'Azur by plane,
Or you can reach it by the French bullet train TGV.
I chose TGV this time.
Cheaper than airfare and
This is to avoid crowding in the narrow cabin.
TGV tickets are
Fares vary greatly depending on departure date and time.
Luckily, I have a lot of freedom when it comes to time, so I'm looking for a cheap timing,
Purchase a ticket for around 150 euros round trip.
About 20,000 yen, it's affordable.
Once you have purchased your train ticket, the next step is your accommodation.
When I consulted with an acquaintance in the Cote d'Azur,
I was recommended Le Mas Candille by Mougins.
Avoid coastal areas like Cannes and Nice, where vacationers are concentrated,
Stay in the quiet Mougins village. Not bad.
* View of Mougins Village from the grounds of Le Mas Candille
Do you know Mougins Village?
common in southern France,
An old orange village at the top of a small hill.
Mougins Village is the best gastronomic village in the Cote d'Azur,
It is also known as the village where Picasso spent his later years.
When I was staying in Cannes,
When I go out to eat with my homestay madam,
I always drove to Mougins.
Le Mas Candille is
A hotel with its origins in a 19th-century farmhouse (Le Mas),
It is said to be the best luxury hotel in Mougins Village.
It's a waste for my solo trip,
I thought it was a good luck, so I made a reservation for 2 nights.
Departing from Gare de Lyon in Paris, take the TGV at 9:30 in the morning to Cannes.
After about 5 hours we arrive in Cannes.
The scenery from the TGV train window, from the vast French farmland,
Gradually changing to the color of dry red soil in the south of France...
And finally the Mediterranean Sea!
Ah, I'm glad I decided to go on vacation after all! !
Pick up your rental car at the train station in Cannes,
Let's go to Mougins Village!
It's been 5 or 6 years since I've driven... I'm not sure.
A small village in the south of France has narrow roads,
The slopes are sometimes unusually steep,
While aiming for Le Mas Candille, I made a mistake,
I ran into such a road and felt harsh.
Even though I almost cried for a while...
This view when you arrive! !
I was impressed!
What you can see over there is the village of Grasse, which is famous for its perfume.
The hotel told us later.
Then I checked in, entered the room, and made my decision.
In the Paris communication of Brand Julier,
Let's write about Le Mas Candille!
It is full of interior elements that are typical of southern France!
Le Mas Candille is a five-star hotel.
I booked the most basic room.
From the window of my room, I can see the village of Grasse!
on the low table
Mr. Kosmai, the manager, prepared
There was welcome fruit.
Mineral water in the minibar,
Carbonated water and Coca-Cola are all free.
I hadn't eaten anything since I left Paris.
Eat fruit without hesitation,
I drank ice cold carbonated water.
It's the start of your lucky vacation!
The guest room is
It is arranged in olive and orange colors typical of southern France.
Olive color is almost gray,
So chic because of that.
The entrance to the guest room is stone-clad.
This alone can create the feeling of an “entrance”.
the curtain is
With orange lining and double ground thickness,
Thin linen with embroidery.
Thick curtains are perfect for shading and heat insulation,
The hemp one was more convenient for protecting privacy.
Before you know it, it's already 6pm.
I hurried to the pool because I wanted to swim a little before the dinner I reserved at 7:30.
Even at 6:30 pm, it was this brightness.
A small crescent moon can be seen in the blue sky.
I decided to take pictures of the vast grounds and pool the next day,
Anyway, swim, take a shower, change clothes,
Head to dinner.
A fluffy kitten jumps out of the bush,
guided me.
Tables line the terrace, which Le Mas Candille boasts.
While watching the village of Grasse with the cicada drizzle in the south of France as BGM...
1 Michelin star,
See also the cuisine of Le Mas Candille.
* Amuse Salmon Tartar
*Falafel is vegetarian friendly
*Provence rosé
A lot of organics on the wine list!
* I forgot the name, but a plate of fish caught in the Mediterranean Sea
* For dessert, I chose Cafe Gourmand, a set of small sweets and coffee.
Savor simple dishes that bring out the freshness of the ingredients, typical of southern France, while gazing at the spectacle of the sunset.
Even after it got dark, the rain of cicadas continued.
It really is like a dream in the South of France.
*Sunset from the room
and in the morning.
Bonjour in Mougins village while looking at Grasse village!
Hotel breakfast is nice.
On the morning of the first night, I simply ordered a fried egg,
I ordered ouf a la coq on the second night.
Place a soft-boiled egg on an egg stand,
Eat baton-shaped toast dipped in soft-boiled yolk
Uhu a la coq
I love all French children.
I used to make it often on weekends at my house,
I broke all my egg stands a few years ago...
Buy a cute egg stand,
I want to make Uhu a la coq again.
Plenty of honey on pancakes.
Freshly squeezed orange juice and
I ate plenty of fruits and other items from the buffet.
An elegant breakfast that is not pressed for time,
Nothing can please a woman!
just to eat this breakfast
I want to stay at the hotel.
Well, I'm going to go to the trouble of staying at a five-star hotel, so
The hotel itself must be fully enjoyed.
As I walked through the grounds,
There was a charming petanque court.
A silver ball is also prepared properly.
Petanque is a sport (game?) in the south of France,
In recent years, it has become popular among young people in Paris.
The cypresses and hemp trees typical of southern France are beautiful,
See also pool view.
To the old town of Mougins village,
It takes less than 10 minutes on foot from the hotel.
After all, my friend from Cote d'Azur who recommended this place was right!
You can walk to the old town of Mougins village,
Cannes beach is less than 30 minutes by car,
A hotel full of hospitality nestled in a vast forest-like site.
it is perfect.
with your family next time? with friends?
I would love to come back again.
Of course, Mougins Village is also a lovely and charming place.
Just by walking through the maze-like alleys,
There are elements of the house that you want to imitate here and there.
The color scheme of the shutters, the combination of the potted plants placed outside,
A bench at the entrance...
A terrace made to enter the house,
I thought it would be comfortable.
Like the outside but not outside, like the inside but not inside.
I find this ambiguity playful. And I think it's a luxury.
One thing that surprised me was
A huge Picasso head that appeared in the square of Mougins village.
Hmmm, how about this...
In this short trip of 4 days and 3 nights,
Stay two nights at Le Mas Candille and visit Cannes and Antibes,
We stayed in Nice for the 3rd night and flew back to Paris.
It was a short but fulfilling solo trip.
The new school year begins in September in France.
Will we be able to start as usual in the office and at school?
And it's a hot topic in the media every day.
The coronavirus has not lost its power at all,
Developing a vaccine will take time, as expected.
When will we be able to move and travel like before?
2020 is more than half over and I still have no idea.
Possibly, it may be longer than expected.
We hope that this Paris Newsletter will be your virtual trip to the South of France.
See you again, Abianto!
Le Mas Candille
https://www.lemascandille.com/
Le Mas Candille
Boulevard Clément Rebuffel
06250 Mougins
Telephone: +33 (0)4 92 28 43 43
Fax: +33 (0)4 92 28 43 40
Email: info@lemascandille.com
Keiko SUMINO-LEBLANC
Paris-based writer/coordinator Japanese-French translator
Moved to Paris in 1997. After getting married and raising children in Paris, she is active as a freelance writer and coordinator. As a journalist specializing in food and lifestyle,
Contributed to numerous magazines and media in France and Japan. He also co-authored a book as a translator.
keiko's paris journal <Paris News - KSL> Updating the lifestyle of Paris