Sometimes I get the jitters. I see something so beautiful that tzzt, tzzt my brain freezes up and does not compute. Who gets nervous in the face of extreme beauty? Well, sometimes, I do.
Yesterday I experienced one of those moments but for now, I will have to keep it under wraps and protect my memories with the austerity of the body guard above on the Baie de Cannes.
Oui, Cannes! And although the opening ceremony of the 65th Festival de Cannes will take place this evening (and yes, Francois Hollande was also sworn in as the French President today! Woopwoop!), our visit in April was a world away from glitter gowns on the red carpet. Time to replace the swank of the silent screen with an entirely different power play.
Remi, Ben and I watched the rooftop of the Carlton sink as our ferry pulled out to sea. After 20 minutes of a gentle rise and fall, we had arrived at the Ile Saint-Honorat, a shaded drop of rocks some 1000 meters from the Croisette. So close and yet so far…
There has been a monastery on the island for sixteen centuries. Yes, centuries. In roughly 410 AD, Saint Honoratus came to live as a hermit on the uninhabited island known as Lerina. By 427, monks from across Roman Provence had followed him to found a thriving monastery.
Many trials followed. Despite its eventual fortification, the monks were exposed to numerous attacks by the Saracens, young monks were captured and sold to Spain, the property was pillaged by pirates. And yet they persisted until the French Revolution, when only four remained. The island was privatized and sold. A certain Mademoiselle de Sainval, then a famous actress, turned the chapels into her receiving rooms.
But in 1859, the monastery was bought by the Bishop of Fréjus. Ten years later, Cistercian monks from the Abbaye de Sénanque took up residence, a tradition which has remained until this day. There are 30 monks currently living on the island, which is, rather amazingly in my mind, open to visitors such as ourselves that are looking for a respite, our numbers restricted only by the capacity of the ten ferries that run the course from the mainland each day.
Peace seems to fall from the trees and whisper on the waves. A bit too perfect, it is hard to take in.
Just beyond the neighboring Ile Saint-Marguerite the Alps puncture the sky with their chalky white peaks. Is it mirage? How can the snow and sea be so close?
Words fail me, my eye starts to falter. My camera could not capture the truth of a blue beyond believing no matter how much I wished it to.
Better then to admit defeat and go to lunch, n’est-ce pas?
Yes, there is one restaurant on the island, La Tonnelle, and it is good. My only advice would be to immediately reserve for lunch upon stepping off the ferry and go early enough to be assured of ordering the menu at 25€ for two courses or be prepared to pay the piper of La Carte. After taking a sip of an excellent, slighty salty white wine (made by the monks) that I had ordered while waiting for our table Remi turned and said, “You did see that the wine is 9€ the glass?” I nearly did a spit take. Next time, we will bring a picnic.
Clouds lowered as we finished our repas and yet the island was all the more appealing for it.
The many shades and textures of the shoreline popped into relief.
I fingered scrubby brushes of palm while nervously watching Remi caper on the rocks. That man will do whatever it takes to get his shot. No jitters for the professional. Ever.
As we headed back to the dock, I saw a switch of feathers rustling in an olive grove. A wise pheasant who had chosen his home well. Somehow his presence wasn’t the least bit surprising, only reassuring.
What a dramatic shift as we stepped back upon the shores of Cannes. The silence that reigns on the Ile Saint-Honorat swiftly imploded.
But it is a joyous Super Bass of beachiness that radiates all along the Cote d’Azur, especially early in the season when everyone still believes their luck is too good to be true…
…that they may find just the right wave…
…to surf on a surge of a beauty–the simple kind–all the way home.
You are sneaking back into my past again!! 🙂
Yes, you would absolutely love it there. It really is one of those "magic" places that the South of France can do so well…
Glorious!!!!
One day we shall have a picnic Here and talk about baudelaire with the monks over tea.
Gorgeous cannes-adjacent-ness.
I perfect place for reflection. Such a peaceful place.
Such amazing beauty!
~ Clare x
Daniel, so good to hear from you! If you do go, you might want to stop off in Menton to see the new Cocteau museum or stroll the promenade around Cap-Ferrat along with a visit to the Villa Rothschild. And yes, it felt absolutely wonderful to be near the sea, albeit less so as the waves struck up on the ferry back!
The rocky coastline strangely reminds me of Rhode Island! I must get down there, it's a relatively close journey from Milan, and how I miss the sea!!
My dear Contessa, it isn't the quantity that matters with me but the quality. 🙂 Congratulations again on your Mountain Man's graduation!! You looked sooo lovely!
Thanks so much Jeanne! I am going to do a little test just in case…
GRAND DAME Of ARLES!YOu do get around and I 'm in awe as you have no problem taking the much adored pooch in tow too!How wonderful your LIFE is!From your photos and words it REALLY seems like your enjoying yourself too!I must apologize as I have fallen behind in responding to your posts, but know I do READ each and everyone!xoxo
You're back again – so strange. I added you again to my blog list last night, but then you disappeared when I refreshed the page. When I opened Blogger this AM, you are back on the list of blogs I follow. So strange, but glad to have you back!
Oh no! That might explain why I have had a drop in visitors…Hmm…Please do keep me posted and thank you for the heads up!!
It really is and we met a couple (with a young Golden who played with Ben!) that had been several times and that is what they always do. Especially in the mid-season there were plenty of incredibly beautiful places where one could have all to themselves!
Yes, Marsha, I had the same experience on previous trips to Cannes–I had no idea. But what a find. I am sure that you and your husband must have had plenty of wonderful experiences in town though!
Once I again I want to step through the screen and into your photos, Heather. What a lovely spot those Monks chose – I can see why they stayed for 16 centuries!
So here's something strange – your blog suddenly dropped from my feed! I'm not sure what little gremlins are playing with Blogger, but I'll be rebooting to see if it picks up again… stay tuned.
What incredible photos of a wondrous place. While viewing them, I felt as if I was there. Thank you for providing us the opportunity!
Sadly, the price of the wine is similar to Santa Barbara prices. It would be a lovely place for a picnic, I bet!
Oh, Cannes…my husband's favorite spot on earth, as I've said often. But I never saw a ferry and didn't know there were excursions going anywhere except to St. Tropez. This place must be heavenly, however, I agree about the prices. Mon Dieu !!
Merci, Jules!
Beautiful post, girlfriend!
You two are so silly. When you are a monk you don't caaare about your material goods! That isn't the point! 🙂
Gros, gros bisous…
Hello Heather:
This surely is as near heaven as it gets. Or certainly so those thirty monks must think who cannot be too badly off materially if their wine sells at €9 a glass!!