It’s summer and we’ve got one too many missed calls from Ms. Vacation. Unable to risk the disregard any longer, we at the DSSC HQ decided to seek penance from our miffed mistress by taking her for wine, dine, and all things fine, to places as charming as herself. If you know her, you’d know Ms. Vacation doesn’t belong to the milieu of the easily pleased, and a single destination just won’t do. So here we are, the DSSC team in four camps for four different cities across Europe (it’s summer, what’d you expect!), each befitting a distinct aspect of her discerning tastes. Holding the mystery fort no further, we present to you where are we traveling this summer, part uno.
Cannes in May? You May not they said, yes we Cannes we said! With the Cannes Film Festival this month, advice on skipping this French city is galore, but bustling is just how we like it and chose to pay a visit when the city shines at its brightest every year.
What We’re Going to Eat
Digging our flags at the artful Hotel Martinez right on the famed promenade La Croisette, their two Michelin-starred restaurant, La Palme d’Or, is first on our list of culinary crusades. Started by Chef Christian Willer and now taken over by Chef Christian Sinicropi, the restaurant takes inspiration from art, literature, and philosophy, and focuses on local & seasonal produce (a Cannes staple) – making it the perfect first bite of France. Shifting paces, close to La Croisette is La Mere Besson with its legendary piperade, and stuffed rabbit & stews like none other; offering true Provençal fare, it’s our fix for when the Shrimaan in us wants the spices and the Monsieur in us wants cuisine Français.
The next gold star on our must-devour list is La Colombe d’Or at Colombe D’Or Hotel for its rustic French Riviera mise en scène, replete with masterpieces by the likes of Picasso, Matisse, and Miró. Hopping half a mile across the coast, and full of French fare we’ll be bringing ‘em tastebuds some change. A short boat ride away is the largest member of the Lérins Islands, Île Sainte-Marguerite, and host to La Guérite. This Mediterranean restaurant has a sea view to drown for, and herbed, marinated, grilled, and baked food that makes you postpone the drowning for sometime.
Taking matters into our own hands, we’ll be making a stop at the Forville market to charge-up our beach picnic basket with farm fresh cheese, pizza breads, onions, olives, and more. If this doesn’t define Sun ’n’ Sand (and turn you a little green), you need a new dictionary!
What We’re Going To See
Staying on La Croisette, the beach promenade will offer endless lounging for shore soirées. Moving into town it’s the Musée de la Castre that has our eye with its artefacts, landscape art, weaponry, and instruments, housed in an 11th century tower. Sailing across to îles de Lérins again, this once we’ll be visiting St. Honorat and St. Marguerite, the two tree-covered islets right off the Cannes coast. The islands have been home to monks for centuries, who produce Lérina, a local liquor, and are also the top prospects for our best friends from the trip. While St. Marguerite will have us stocking up on bottles of Lérina, it also has a history connect, the Fort Royal here is said to be the place where The Man In The Iron Mask was held prisoner!
Partnering up with our days will be evenings at Jimmy’z. The club where we hope to bump into Ms. Bacon’s future beau, Ryan Gosling (yes he is, he just doesn’t know it yet) as we sip on stellar cocktails. If luck doesn’t help there, we plan to try it out at the Casino Croisette, an experience not to be missed when in Cote d’Azur, we’re told.
We Cannes Do This
In its 70th year this time, the Cannes Film Festival may be exclusively for industry folks, but they make sure you don’t feel left out! Offering more than just a glimpse into the festival, they organise the Cinéma de la Plage – an outdoor cinema by the beach which is accessible to public. A different film is screened each night, and if you keep track you can even catch a world premiere. For Cannes Fans, the festival also broadcasts the opening ceremony in French cinemas for them to watch the live launch at night, and the opening film is released on the same day as it is screened at the festival.
If you’re a starstruck soul, the city teeming with film folk for two weeks is going to make you one chuffed puff. May 17 – 28 is when you can run into them (or us) for that major life-nirvana moment. Cannes in May may be thronging, insane, yet terrific – and that’s the potion that draws us.
We’re sure grabbing our picnic baskets, bottles of Lérine, and taking our lounge chair for Cinéma de la Plage. See you back home, until then, au revoir ma chérie!
Featured Image Courtesy: Wendy Connet