Searching for faded glory in the south of France with Valentine

by Valentine Raeman

Our Easter break tradition is to travel to the Côte d'Azur. Even though we have been there a lot, we still like to discover new places and views. It's so beautiful out there! The thing I love most is searching for faded glory, modernist architecture, and all the little details of the past.

Because it is still quite calm, the beaches are still empty, and the tourist season hasn't yet begun, Easter holidays are the perfect time to visit the south. This means you can go cruise along the coast, drive to little bays and enjoy the views!

We also planned a little trip to the Camargue this year. Our day began at the flea market in Arles. First Wednesday of every month, the Boulevard des Lices is transformed into a treasure hunt with vintage toys, paintings, books, LP's, ... After that, we strolled around the city and enjoyed the cozy atmosphere.

We booked a night at Les Cabanettes, an amazing modernist gem hidden in the Camargue. Armand Pellier designed the hotel in 1967, and it is still in its original state thanks to the owners' meticulous maintenance. We enjoyed an apéritif in the sun, Lola took a dive in the (12 degrees) swimming pool and we met the horses and donkeys of the hotel.

We drove through the 'salines' the next day to see flamingos and ended our little field trip by strolling through La Grande Motte. To some people it is an ordinary seaside town, but to me it’s a concrete holiday heaven!