OK, I will now show you why this is one of the most sought after destinations in the world.
This is Pramousquier, (viewed from the road at Le Canadel) where my campsite is located, but which you cannot see because it is in the trees on the right.
The beach at Pramousquier.
I was talking to a guy on the campsite from the Netherlands and he recommended a place to visit, so I got on my bike and went. This is just an every day view of Rayol-Canadel-sur-Mer.....Ha!
My destination was the Domain du Canadel which is now a mediterranean garden.
The view from the terrace is beautiful, showing the Isles D'Hyeres.
Left to right, Isles du Levant, Isles de Port-Crox, and Porquerolles. The British bombarded them in the 18th century, and more recently the Germans built gun emplacements and the Americans destroyed them during WW2.
The view looking west
The view looking east..
The villa started life as a farm, and was rebuilt as a villa, ending up as a hotel, now a garden reserve.
The grand staircase
The pergola is in fact reinforced concrete.
But the view is sublime. I am going to list this as one of the 'special' series.
Pretty seats for the guests for lunch.
The mandatory garden gnome..
This is the prettiest cafe you will ever see.
OK, you structural engineers, work out the reason for this truss arrangement. Efficient it is not, but what grace...
The salmon pink tiles are ubiquitous..
The Mexican section to the garden....
I can't remember the name of these but I have never seen them growing 'wild' before.
Now these are Proteas, native to South Africa.
Good but not as good as those in the Stellenbosch Gardens, but a good try.
How much of this beauty can you take...
More..and not a soul about but me!
The silly b****r taking pics in a mirror. The faint image says 'Le Jardin Marin' (Sea Garden)
The Sea Garden house by the beach...
And the headland.
The coves go on forever...
A stand of pines..
Sitting on this bench in the breeze with a temp of 28 deg is bliss.
Looking back to Parmousquier.
Can you smell the choicya, and the pines...
The yachties wil like this one...
So, there you have the Domain du Royal, a view from the terrace.
But there was a very famous person who lived hereabouts. I didn't realise it but I just cycled past his villa.
I had stopped to take a chocolate box piccy of this little house, just because it was there.
But I was on my way to the beach. I had my first swim in the sea today from this beach. Jealous? It was lovely. The thing that is really special is that the rocks hereabouts contain mica and flakes get into the water. The sun makes the sea twinkle with light, as if there are diamonds floating in it. Magic.
End of post
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