I was driving back from the grocery store one morning around three weeks ago when I got a call from my mum. She wanted to know when I was returning to England for the holidays, explaining that she had a work trip to Cannes coming up just a couple of days after I got home.
I hung up, slightly sad that I would be left home alone for a couple of days (especially since I already live 6,000 miles away). Feeling a bit glum, I tried to think of what I could do over the days while she was away. My sister was still at school. My friends were still at college. It was too early to return to work. I was stumped.
Scrolling through TikTok to try and cheer myself up I came across a video of Christmas in France.
No… I couldn’t… It’d be too spontaneous, right? It felt a little bit crazy. Then again I could find a cheap budget airline flight, and free accommodation bunking up with mum. I called my Mum and just blurted it out:
‘Why don’t I just come with you?!’
[pause]
‘Absolutely,’ she replied. ‘Why the hell not?’
And with that, it was booked.
The Journey
I was beyond excited, and slightly in disbelief, as I boarded the flight. It just felt so fast and unpredictable. When we landed in Nice, both my mum and I made an immediate B-line for the airport cafe as we waited for our hotel shuttle.
Now here’s the thing: French Cappuccinos (Cappuccini?) are unmatched. I don’t know what they put in them. I don’t know what makes them different. All I know is that the French, get it right.
The bus transfer was about thirty minutes. Contrasted against the bright blue skies, we could just see the snowy tips of the Alps peeping over the billows of balconied buildings. It felt very surreal. We arrived in Cannes via the Promenade de la Croisette. With endless designer stores on my right and the ocean on my left, I felt like I had woken up in a scene from Pretty Woman, or Une Jolie Femme, if you prefer.
The bus dropped us right outside the Palais De Festival, which if you didn’t know (I certainly didn’t), has been the home of the Cannes Film Festival since 1946. Turning the corner the iconic red steps drew my eye immediately. I started to think of all of the incredible people from the film industry who had stood right where I was standing, the starry history the place holds and how many life-changing films have been premiered there.
From there we took another shuttle to where we were staying, a little town around the corner from Cannes named, Juan-les-Pins. Located right on the water right next to Antibes, it was the perfect place to be based during our stay.
The Food
It’s no surprise that one of the best things about France is always the food. So, obviously, I had to highlight a couple of the places I went to and why they were so delicious. The first place was ‘The Vogue’ on Boulevard Edouard Baudoin. Having just arrived at our hotel, my mum and I were famished. We decided the best thing to do would be to wander around and see if we could stumble across somewhere sweet. As we walked along the water’s edge we saw many people al fresco dining along the road. Although it was about 55 degrees, everyone was outside in coats and jackets and eating lunch. We took one look at the menu and decided this would be perfect.
I ordered the tuna nicoise and my mum ordered a caesar salad. Both were amazing. The wait staff were so sweet and the wine (of course) complemented everything perfectly. As I watched the sun go down over the Riviera, I couldn’t believe how lucky I was.
Over the next few days, I indulged in many a coffee and pastry from the fabulous boulangeries across the town. However, I think my highlighted meal would have to be at Le Californie in Cannes.
Just across the street from The Palais de Festival, scattered with sage green chairs and sprinkled with twinkling Christmas lights, Le Californie looked beyond enticing. When in France a ‘steak frites’ is a must. We sat down at a beautiful table, covered in a crisp white tablecloth with matching serviettes. The food was unbelievably good and with the World Cup game on in the background, the ambiance was perfect. My mum and I could not stop talking about how wonderful it was to be sat outside in December when we are usually used to below-freezing temperatures.
Transport and Shopping
Staying in Juan-les-Pins was the perfect location for me and my mum. Just outside of the hustle and bustle of the city and right on the water, it was simply idyllic. Most days we were there, my mum would head to her conference around eight in the morning. I would usually do some work in the hotel and then hop on a train to meet her for lunch when she had her break.
Taking the train in France was something I had not done before and something I was not prepared for. Speaking much less French than I would like to, I attempted to understand the ticket machine. I found myself wishing I had paid more attention in French class. With a little help from Google translate I finally worked it out and was on my way. The train ride wound around the coastal edge of the bay into the center of Cannes in just ten minutes.
I spent most of my time wandering aimlessly around the plethora of shops. A perfect spot to get early Christmas shopping in, I called upon my family members to send through their lists to aid my quest. There was also a pop-up Christmas market radiating merry music and scents of mulled wine and fresh waffles. It put me in the perfect festive mood.
Wrap Up
My French weekend was a few days that I will never forget. I was beyond blessed and lucky to have gotten the opportunity to join my mum (even though I did invite myself). It was so nice to just spend the time on my own, exploring the city and taking some time to myself. My mum and I had such a wonderful time and the three days felt like a couple of weeks of break. I have to say, after those three days, no one should be shocked if I just up and go to France for a few years!
Au revoir!