Menton

We’ve decided to go to Menton today by train, but not before we have coffee. Our first stop is La P’tite Famile, a delightful cafe where we both order cafe crème. However, they don’t serve food, so we then walk to Le Metropolitan and enjoy another cafe crème and a chocolate croissant each. 

Then, it’s just a 6 block walk to Gare Nice Ville. We waste a lot of time and frustration trying to get a weekly train pass, but once we settle for a daily everything goes smoothly. 

I love the train systems in Europe—inexpensive and efficient. Before very long we’re in Menton, moving along with the crowd past lots of construction, but miraculously ending just where we want to be for lunch—seaside! Sitting comfortably along the Mediterranean, eating clams and mussels and frites. 

After a leisurely, almost dreamlike meal, we follow the shoreline and out on the pier for perfect views of Menton’s coastline and fishing boats on the horizon. 

The boats and yachts in the marina are outstanding, and we take time to read their many times clever names. “Envy.” “Gin in.” “Jenni.”

Can’t resist the shopping streets, and are pleased to find cheesy souvenir shops tucked in with those offering practical wares, local lemon treats, the ubiquitous gelato (YUM), and assorted 

We walk uphill in the beating sun to the train station, and before you know it we’re back in Nice. Stopping at the Utile, we add sweet grapes, pâté, and bottled water to the fresh baguette we bought at Paul just outside Gare Nice Ville. 

It’s been very hot today with intermittent breezes, so as soon as we’ve braved the 100 steps, we shower and collapse into the comforts of this Airbnb. 

Dinner consists of the above mentioned, along with the Compté cheese, small radishes and sea salt. Rhubarb jam and wonderful French butter we picked-up yesterday. 

I’ve set aside “Naughty in Nice” for the moment and am completely enjoying Lisa Jewell’s “None of This is True.”