A friend often raves about how the beach in Nice is always completely covered with people. Well, he hasn't been there when there were clouds and a chance of rain. It isn't usually like this. Another slight disappointment: Mori's bar no longer serves Maredesous Brune.

Here, off Bd du Tzarevitch, is the prettiest Russian Orthodox church you're likely to see outside of Russia.

A visit to the Loire Valley calls for a visit to the chateau at Chenonceau (or is it Chenonceaux? one name is the castle and one is the town, but I forget which is which). Here's the long room on the part of the chateau that crosses the Cher river. A simple and perfect room. Formerly, visitors were allowed to go out the door at the end, and take a look around on the far bank, which seemed to give more purpose to the room.

What letters do you see above? The story of Chenonceau is the story of Henry, his mistress Diane de Poitiers, and Henry's wife Catherine de Medici. Catherine was jealous of Diane's beauty and of the beautiful castle that Diane had designed. After the death of Henry, Catherine took Chenonceau away from Diane. It's said that, wanting to obliterate the memories of Henry and Diane, Catherine ordered the letters H and C intertwined, but Catherine was horrified to see the letter D appear.

Chenonceau has some very nice gardens, such as shown here. But, speaking of gardens...

The only reason for visiting chateau Villandry is for its gardens, but what gardens! Even the vegetable gardens are gorgeous.

In these gardens, small groups of people sat in rose arbors. This would be a great garden for a summer evening party.

I think Villandry has more than one person who knows how to use a hedge trimmer.

kinkade.dave@prodigy.net