Back from the Sunny French Riviera and a YouTube Surprise Coming Tomorrow!

Good afternoon from Copenhagen! I’ve got a little surprise coming your way on YouTube tomorrow. Any guesses? Scroll to the end of the post for more info! But first, a quick bonjour after my little break last week. Hubby and I escaped the stormy autumn Danish weather for a few days of fun and sun in beautiful Nice, the South of France (a favourite old haunt of ours – we both speak French fluently so it feels like coming home) and it was just what we needed! Apologies for the photo and video overload in this post but if you enjoy blue skies, café dining, cocktails on the beach at sunset and delicious French food, then settle in for the voyage – ha ha!

A large sign reading 'I Love #NICE' in illuminated letters at night.
A person with short gray hair smiles at the camera while wearing sunglasses and a blue shirt, standing on a busy street with pedestrians in the background.
A cyclist wearing a helmet rides by a UNESCO heritage site sign in Nice, France, detailing its recognition as a winter resort town of the Riviera, with a historic building visible in the background.
A digital thermometer outside a pharmacy displaying the temperature of 25°C in front of a building with pastel-colored architecture.

No post from me would be complete without a photo where I’m swimming, ha ha! The Mediterranean sea on the French Riviera is clear and azure blue… I swam every day and the temp was 22c/71f. By comparison, our sea temp here in Copenhagen is currently 13c/55f so it felt very warm to me! It’s a pebble beach so I wear my little bathing shoes to make it easier to get in and out.

A stack of smooth pebbles balanced on a pebble beach, with a clear blue sea and sky in the background.
A person swimming in the clear blue waters of the Mediterranean Sea, with a pebbly beach in the foreground and a sunny sky above.
Close-up of feet resting on a pebble beach, with a light blue towel draped over the toes.
A person swimming in clear, azure blue water, smiling and waving at the camera.
A close-up view of a magazine opened to a food recipe, resting on a bed of pebbles. A pair of round, mirrored sunglasses and a gray stone are placed beside the magazine, with a light blue fabric partially visible.

One of my favourite things in Nice is enjoying an apéritif at one of the beach clubs. Rühl is my favourite. I LOVE the blue and white striped umbrellas and the blue and white striped t-shirts of the waiters! G+T at sunset…

View of a beach with blue and white striped umbrellas and lounge chairs on a pebbly shore, overlooking the calm sea under a clear sky.
Two glasses of tonic water with striped straws and lime wedges on a wooden table, with a yellow can of tonic drink and beach umbrellas in the background.
View of a beach club in Nice, France, featuring a variety of blue and white striped umbrellas over tables, with the Mediterranean sea in the background.
People walking along a promenade at sunset, with golden light illuminating the scene and palm trees in the background.

We quite literally walked into a French street fight — well, technically, a duel! We were visiting the beautiful Villa Masséna Museum and Art Gallery and were delighted to stumble upon their Imperial Days festival that weekend. Free entry for the event! Such a treat if you’re interested in military history, Napoleon, or elegant crinoline-clad dancers twirling to classical music!

A hand holding a program for the 'Journées Impériales' event, featuring historical figures and information about the festival, with a lush garden and building visible in the background.
Three individuals dressed in historical costumes pose in a lush garden setting. One woman wears an elaborate orange gown with lace details, another woman is in a black gown with red accents, and a man in a tuxedo stands beside them.
A guard in a red uniform adjusts flags inside an ornate hall with decorative elements.
A group of women in elegant historical dresses, engaged in conversation, seated in a lavish interior space.
Two individuals engaged in a sword duel in front of a grand building, with onlookers in period attire observing from the background.
A garden scene featuring tropical plants and colorful flowers in front of a building with French architecture, including a sign that reads 'Jardin de la Légion d'Honneur'.

We had a really quirky dinner in Nice Old Town, hidden amongst the maze of tiny streets, at a restaurant called “The Taste”. It’s right on a corner and is actually an antiques/brocante shop! Really special atmosphere to be sitting amongst all the different oddities of furniture, silver cutlery, paintings, curios and crystal glass. We loved the food – such a special experience!

A charming nighttime street view of a café in Nice, France, featuring outdoor seating with wicker chairs and tables, illuminated by warm lights from nearby buildings.
A plate of linguine pasta topped with pink seafood, garnished with small orange flowers, served on a marble table. In the background, glasses of wine and a plate of bread are visible.
A close-up image of a bottle of Chablis wine labeled 'Charly Nicolle' being held above a silver ice bucket, with a white cloth beside it.
Two elegant glasses of drink placed on a marble table, with a softly lit background showing a lamp and subtle decor.
A narrow street in Nice, France, featuring an antique shop with a warm, inviting display. Two women browse the items outside while a third person walks in the background.

We walked to the top of Nice to see the waterfalls and stunning views of the bay. Then back down the other side for lunch at the port and a walk around the market. It was a nice touch that the freshly grated parmesan for my fresh mushroom ravioli came in a tiny Bonne Maman jam jar!

A vibrant street scene in Nice, France, showcasing colorful buildings, festive bunting, and people walking down the street with a church tower in the background.
Smiling woman with short hair wearing sunglasses and a floral top, standing on a path surrounded by greenery.
A panoramic view of Nice, France, showcasing its beachfront, colorful buildings, and clear blue skies.
A picturesque waterfall cascading over rocks, surrounded by lush greenery and trees, with glimpses of sunlight filtering through the leaves.
Table setting featuring a menu board with Italian ravioli options, a bottle of olive oil, a small bottle of balsamic vinegar, and a glass resting on a table with a palm leaf backdrop.
A close-up of a hand holding a small jar with a red and white checkered lid, next to a plate of ravioli topped with sauce and herbs, with glasses and other dishes blurred in the background.
Market stall displaying colorful and patterned bags, with a woman examining items while other shoppers browse in the background.
A bustling outdoor market scene in Nice, France, with patrons enjoying their time at café tables under bright blue skies and palm leaves framing the view.
A vibrant market scene with a variety of Panama hats displayed for sale, featuring a carousel in the background and people walking by.

One of my favourite things about Nice is knowing that it is almost always going to be sunny (around 300 days per year)! Here’s the view from our apartment, first thing in the morning, as we opened the shutters…

And then there were our daily walks along the Promenade des Anglais, browsing in French bookshops (hubby bought a few books, he reads mostly in French right now), al fresco lunches and cozy dinners…

A person with short hair, wearing a red and white striped shirt and white pants, smiling while taking a selfie in a mirror inside a library with bookshelves in the background.
A close-up of a meal featuring roasted meat, slices of ham, and fresh greens on a plate, with a glass of red wine and a bottle in the background.
A fountain featuring a statue of a woman with a crown, surrounded by mythical sea creatures, set against a backdrop of colorful buildings and a clear blue sky in Nice, France.
A bustling square in Nice, France, featuring colorful buildings and a distinctive tall sculpture of a figure on a pole. People are gathered in the foreground, enjoying the lively atmosphere under a partly cloudy sky.
A bottle of wine labeled 'Lucette' with a playful illustration of a woman in a red dress, accompanied by a wooden pepper mill and a basket of bread. Also visible is a small arrangement of decorative flowers.
A plate of shrimp served on a bed of greens, accompanied by a sauce, with glasses of wine in the background.
A close-up shot of a flaky croissant on a black plate, with a jar of Bonne Maman raspberry jam and a container of cream in the background, along with a hint of bread and flowers visible.
A city bus driving along a street lined with palm trees and pink flowers, with the Mediterranean Sea visible in the background.
View of a beachside restaurant sign 'Le Temps d'un Été' at night, with flags waving and the moon visible in the sky.
A charming night scene in Nice, France, featuring a bustling restaurant terrace with patrons dining under red awnings. A stone fountain is in the foreground, surrounded by historic buildings illuminated by warm lights.
Nighttime scene of a bustling street in Nice, France, with people dining outdoors at café tables and restaurants lit by warm lights.
A lively street scene at night in Nice, France, featuring outdoor dining at cafes under warm lighting and a vibrant atmosphere.
A chef using a culinary torch to prepare a dish at a restaurant, with a salad in a stone bowl and a glass of water on the table.
Interior of a lively restaurant featuring a bar with people seated, chefs cooking in the background, and smoke rising from the grill.
A bamboo tray featuring a portion of rice noodles, fresh herbs, bean sprouts, and colorful vegetable garnishes, alongside a small basket containing fried spring rolls and a cast iron teapot.
Blue chairs lined up along the promenade, overlooking a pebble beach and the Mediterranean Sea in Nice, France.
Outdoor dining scene at a restaurant in Nice, featuring patrons at tables, with rustic decor and plants in wooden boxes.

I will miss the crazy sights and sounds from the Promenade des Anglais in the evenings!

It felt so good to slow down, recharge and simply enjoy life for a few days. And, of course, hubby and I played Rummikub sitting on our balcony – something we always play on vacation!

A table setting with a game of Rummikub in progress, featuring numbered tiles, a glass of white wine, and a bowl of snacks.

So now I’m back home, full of energy and inspiration, ready to dive into our routines and bring a little extra comfort and fun into the season ahead! So I’ve got a little surprise coming your way on YouTube tomorrow. A new series to bring us all a bit more hygge as we head into the next months. Can you guess what it is?

Have a brilliant day and see you tomorrow!

Hugs

Diane in Denmark

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35 Comments

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Thanks Diane. I loved seeing your pictures – makes me want to go visit Nice. I’m glad you had a wonderful time. I always enjoy your posts and listening to what you share. Thank you. My guess is you’re going to tell us some info about your move.

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Looks like you had a wonderful time! I feel a bit refreshed just seeing your pictures and hearing of your adventures. Looking forward to your surprise tomorrow! ❤️

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Dear Diane,
Beautiful!!! Thank you so much for sharing!
I hope the surprise is the start of this years cozy Christmas planning as I am eager to get a head start!!!
We just moved into a new house as a family of 4 with two kids under 5 years old and I am so excited to create a cozy, welcoming and hygge Home for us, especially during the dark winter month to come!
All the best to you <3

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How lovely that were able to get away to one of your favorite places! Kudos to your husband for whisking you off to France!

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I love all the photos! I get to experience a place that I will probably neer see in person. Thank you for sharing!

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I’m so happy you had a wonderful time and so glad you are back! The pictures look like you had a wonderful trip. Can’t wait to see you tomorrow!!!

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Diane, so happy to see you and hubby enjoying a beautiful place! Your photos are becoming more and more professional-looking – you practice a lot! Can’t wait for MORE hygge. We have had some very rare rainy & even story evenings and my candles and fairy lights are sooo cozy. 🩷

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How lovely it has been to ‘visit ‘ Nice with you Diane.
My late sister lived in the South of France , and it brought back so many happy memories ….arriving at the airport before driving to her lovely home , admiring the agapanthus growing in the central reservations , visiting the flower market ….then shopping for my brother in laws favourite olives ……I had no idea there were so many different sorts of olives before I saw that stall 😂, enjoying all the market goodies , textiles, soap, cheeses, fruit and veggies , leather goods , baskets, scarves…..the list goes on !
I’m so glad that you had a wonderful time , and hope that it cheered you up….I know you find Autumn difficult .
Thank you for such a lovely post ……you made my afternoon !

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Diane,
I am so happy you and your husband could get away. Everything looked beautiful. I hope you are doing well health wise. This vacation looked relaxing.

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Hi Diane
That looks amazing! Wonderful photography. So glad that you and your husband had a gorgeous, romantic get-away! Cheers, 🥂

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It looks like you’ve had a lovely trip, Diane. One of the things I enjoy most about being a bit older, is being able to take time away when it isn’t school holiday time.
We were over in The Netherlands last week, but I’m already setting up for a cosy autumn.

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Loved your photos of Nice. Its
Been over 40 years since I was there.
Looking forward to your video tomorrow.
Cheers 🥂 🇦🇺

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Thank you for sharing your special getaway with your hubby. I love the photos, videos and descriptions! You bring so much light and delight into the world.
Are you starting the cruising through the holidays tomorrow ? Whatever it is I know it will be special 💝

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Thank you for excellent photos…looking at them made me almost feel as if I were there too. How I love blue skies and colorful surroundings.
New series related with Christmas?

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How delightful!! You look so happy and relaxed, glad you could get away. 😺 As someone else said thank you for the armchair travel.

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Wonderful travelogue! I am glad you got away during your least favorite time of the year. The water was much warmer than Denmark! Hope you are refreshed. Can’t wait to see what you have in store for us tomorrow!

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Diane, I loved seeing all those beautiful photos. I felt like I was there enjoying all the sights and sounds. I also love Rummikub, we play it here in Australia. Thank you for all your utube videos and blogs, I so enjoy them. I am looking forward to what’s coming tomorrow.

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Thanks Diane great photos makes me want to go to Nice
It looked like a relaxing time for you both
Looking forward to your video
🎄

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Thank you for sharing all the wonderful photos. It’s obvious you and hubby had a fantastic few days together. I’m looking forward to your new content this week. I am ready to get myself back on track after a hectic few weeks. 💙🤍💙

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Thank you for sharing these photos, makes me want to go there! Loved your youtube post today. I am already thinking Christmas, so no negative comment from me!

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Thank you for sharing these photos, looks like it was a great getaway! Loved your youtube post today. I am already thinking Christmas, so no negative comment from me!

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Diane, I’m very happy for you that you and hubby had a great time, you deserve it, you’re doing so much for us. Your lovely photos and videos are a real treat! Thank you for sharing your wonderful experience ❣️

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I love your blog. It’s full of fun & not just cleaning or decluttering. I smile all the way through. Glad you had such a nice little break!

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I wish I could have fit in your suitcase. Thank you for taking us along with you in pictures. So glad you had such a refreshing vacation with your sweetie. ❤️

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I love all of the pictures and videos! I’m so glad you had fun! Sometimes a little getaway is exactly what the doctor ordered! Hugs!

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