Thinking of visiting Nice, France?
Nice is a nice place to visit. There are plenty of things to see and do here: sea, sun, history, art, music…
A Saint, a Convict, and a Gargoyle go into a Swamp…
This story seems like a pretty reasonable explanation for all those gargoyles…
3 Useful French Inventions
Today, we are looking at three French inventions that make our lives easer…
5 Riviera Cocteau Treasures
The artist, Jean Cocteau, spent his later years on the French Riviera, and the area still enjoys the beauty he left behind. There are five Cocteau sites between Nice and Menton just waiting to be discovered.
Madame Tussaud: Ahead of Her Time
When you think of Madame Tussauds Wax Museum, you probably think of movie stars, political figures, and other famous people. But you might not realize the amazing story of the real-life Madame Tussaud and how she survived the French Revolution.
The Pennsylvania French
In 1789, aristocrats started scurrying out of revolutionary France like rats off a sinking ship. One group of these posh refugees ended up in a most unlikely place – the wilds of Pennsylvania.
Margo’s Musings: Carnival & Revolution
Explore the theme of the Nice Carnival and see how my new book is coming along.
Suspects in London Fire: Baker, Pope, & Gluttony
The Great Fire of 1666 destroyed 80% of London. Who could have been responsible for this devastation?
The Crazy Calendar of a Revolutionary Republic
The French Revolutionaries weren’t content with just changing their government. They wanted to change everything – even how they kept track of time.
Befana: Italy’s Good, January Witch
Long before Father Christmas (or Babbo Natale) showed up, Italian children waited excitedly for the 6 January and their visit from a very witchy-looking old lady called La Befana.
Happy Crappy Christmas
Two quirky Christmas traditions from Barcelona…
Mistletoe and a Flying Donkey
Mistletoe in French is called gui. This ball of vegetation that grows high in trees has been considered magical since ancient days…
Marie Antoinette’s Adopted Children
“Let them eat cake!” This is the most famous line that Marie Antoinette NEVER said. This queen had a compassionate side – especially when it came to children…
First Thanksgivings, Huguenots, and Alligators
The Pilgrims are credited with serving the first Thanksgiving meal… but could the French have beaten them to it? And what was on their table?…
Marie Antoinette’s Cats and an American Rescue Attempt
Did you know that Marie Antoinette almost escaped the guillotine and ended up in Maine, USA? Of course, we all know she didn’t make it – but some say her cats might have…
Margo’s Musings and Jack-o’-lanterns
Autumn is definitely in the air. The drop in temperature makes me want to curl up beside my (imaginary) fireplace with a cup of hot chocolate and a good book.
And speaking of books…
London Beer Flood: Too Much of a Good Thing
On October 17, 1814, tragedy struck central London. A flood tore through the streets, knocking down buildings and sweeping people away. But the liquid causing the havoc wasn’t water… it was beer!…
Berets, Onions, and Stereotypes
In the mid 1900s, if you had asked nearly any British person what a Frenchman looked like, you would have gotten this description: He wears a beret, and he rides a bike with onions hanging on the handlebars…
French Beret: A Hat with Attitude
The French beret, that little pancake of a hat, has become the recognized symbol of all things French – at least among those outside of France…
God Save the Royal Derriere
It seems that the British National Anthem could be yet another link in the intertwined histories of the United Kingdom and France…
September News
Ahh September! I always love this month because it makes me think about going back to school and it seems like a time of new beginnings.
Mosaics on the Hill
Have a look around the “Colline du Chateau” overlooking Nice, France, and you can find some spectacular mosaics…
Homer’s Odyssey in 13 Easy Steps
If it’s been a while since you’ve read the Greek classics (or if you just never got around to it) no worries! There’s no need to pull out the books. In Nice, France you can take a quick 13-step refresher course on a hilltop overlooking the sea, the city, and the port. This lovely park…
The King is no Match for the Women of Paris
The 14th of July is the National Holiday in France and it commemorates the start of the French Revolution. Everyone knows about the storming of the Bastille, but there was another important, but lesser known, moment in the Revolution that was led by the ladies.
An Accidental Tourist at the Festival of Avignon
As our taxi entered the city walls of Avignon, it was evident that something was happening. I had seen online that a festival would be starting the day after our arrival, but didn’t think much about it. I just thought it was nice that there would be a little festival going on. But from our…
