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Los Angeles Times
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Los Angeles Times
A Historical Icon on the French Riviera, Redesigned for the Modern Wedding
Tucked between the hills of Antibes and the Mediterranean coast, Bastide du Roy is a French Riviera estate where history and design converge. Once gifted to King Henri IV in 1608, the property has long served as a private retreat for artists, designers, and dignitaries—most notably Jeanne Lanvin, who restored it as a creative refuge in the 1920s. Set across 17 acres of landscaped grounds, the estate unfolds through a series of formal gardens, shaded courtyards, and sculptural olive groves. From the symmetry of the French gardens to the stillness of the music garden, each outdoor space offers its own character catering to weddings both large and small. Bastide du Roy's layered past and considered layout make it well-suited to couples seeking privacy, atmosphere, and a setting with both history and intention. At the heart of the estate lies the French Garden, a 13,455-square-foot area shaded by centuries-old olive trees. This space can accommodate up to 100 seated guests or 180 for a cocktail reception, offering a serene setting where nature and conviviality come together to create memorable moments. Nestled between the French and Spanish gardens, the Music Garden features a unique circular design with a 230-foot circumference. Adorned with ancient olive trees and a central Neptune statue, it can host up to 300 guests, making it ideal for concerts, ceremonies, and outdoor receptions where music and nature harmoniously blend together. Spanning 6,781 square feet, the Spanish Garden offers a colorful and warm atmosphere. It can accommodate up to 40 seated guests or 90 for a cocktail event, providing an intimate and enchanting setting for gatherings where intimacy and beauty come together. Located at the foot of the Bastide, the 4,844-square-foot Cour d'Honneur offers a magnificent view of the village of Biot and the Alps. This space can host up to 350 seated guests or 700 for a cocktail reception, blending historical grandeur and elegance for memorable events. Covering 5,920 square feet, the Tilleuls Area is accessible via guest parking, the French Garden, and the Cour d'Honneur. It can accommodate up to 650 seated guests or 700 for a cocktail event, offering a refined setting for outdoor receptions with the flexibility to erect tents as needed. Erected in the heart of an olive grove, the 4,306-square-foot Pavilion of Olive Trees serves as an ideal indoor space, especially in case of unfavorable weather. It can host up to 350 seated guests or 450 for a cocktail reception, with the possibility to increase its area up to 5,113 square feet, depending on event requirements. Spanning 9,149 square feet (or 11,517 square feet if the pool is covered), the Pool Area offers a glimpse of the village of Biot and neighboring towns. This space can accommodate up to 400 seated guests (600 if the pool is covered) or 600 for a cocktail event, providing a spectacular setting where elegance meets innovation. Bastide du Roy's layered past and considered layout make it a well-suited wedding venue for couples seeking privacy, atmosphere, and a setting with both history and intention. Antibes blends Old World charm with coastal sophistication, making it one of the Côte d'Azur's most quietly captivating wedding destinations. Sun-soaked beaches, 16th-century architecture, and views that stretch across the Mediterranean to the Alps. The nearby art museums, daily markets, and Provençal cafés make it equally unforgettable for guests looking to explore the Riviera at a slower, more intimate pace. Antibes is located along the French Riviera between Nice and Cannes. The closest airport is Nice Côte d'Azur International Airport (NCE), approximately a 30-minute drive from the city center. High-speed trains connect Antibes to Paris, Marseille, and Milan. For U.S., Canadian, and most EU travelers, no visa is required for stays under 90 days. Ensure your passport is valid for at least three months beyond your planned departure. Late May through September offers the most reliable weather, with warm days and clear evenings ideal for outdoor celebrations. June and early September are particularly desirable—less crowded than peak summer months but still vibrant. Spring and fall also provide a softer light and quieter pace, perfect for couples seeking a more serene experience.
Local France
15-05-2025
- Politics
- Local France
What is France's 'Livret du Citoyen' and why it might be vital to you
If you're applying for French citizenship, then the Livret du Citoyen is about to become your bedtime reading, but it might be useful in other circumstances too. What is it? The Livret is a 28-page booklet on the subject of France - its history, geography, culture, politics and values. The book is free and can downloaded from the French Interior Ministry website here . It also exists in paper form, and is often distributed to young French people, for example first-time voters. It ranges from factual information such as the number of communes in France (34,965 as of January 1st 2021) and the date of the abolition of the death penalty (1981) to information on France's key values and the rights and responsibilities of a French citizen. Unsurprisingly, it is in French (which it will inform you is the only official language of the French Republic). When do I need it? The booklet is recommended reading for anyone applying for French citizenship, as its information forms the basis of the questions that you will be asked in the citizenship interview. There's no need to wait until you have made your application, however, anyone can download the booklet for free at any time. You might just fancy some bedtime reading about France or you might genuinely find to helpful to integrating in your new home. So I need to learn all 28 pages before my citizenship interview? Relax, you're not expected to learn the whole thing by heart. The intro explains that the booklet lays out "examples of the type of knowledge required from candidates for citizenship". It adds that candidates are "invited to study it before the interview, to better prepare for the discussion". Forgetting the date of birth of King Henri IV (1553) won't automatically end your citizenship hopes - the interviewer is just looking for a decent overview of French history and geography. Advertisement Knowledge of France's core values - and agreement with those values - is considered more important, so you should definitely know things like France's motto - liberté, égalité, fraternité - and be able to explain laïcité (French state secularism, find a full explanation here ). Is the interview limited to the information in the Livret? Not necessarily, the booklet explains that its information is "not exhaustive". Interviewers can ask about other aspects of France, perhaps asking you which French singers, films or TV shows you like. They'll also likely ask you how integrated you are into everyday life in France. In short, the interview is about more than just being able to reel off facts like the number of départements in France (101, including 5 overseas départements) - it's about being able to demonstrate that you are integrated in French life, you understand France and you agree with broad values such as gender equality and democracy. Advertisement In practice, interview candidates report a huge variation - some are grilled for an hour on every aspect of France and French life, others just have a quick chat. It's impossible to know in advance which one you will get, however, so it's a good idea to prepare for the tough version.
Local France
30-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Local France
What's on in France's Night at the Museum?
Most events will be free of charge, with behind-the-scenes access to the exhibits as well as events including workshops, dances and family-friendly activities in the planning. Many tourist favourites are among them, including the Louvre in Paris, and the Palace of Versailles just outside. But it's not just the capital and its environs that gets to join in; there's plenty going on up and down the country, too. Visit the official website to see what's happening near you. Most sites will keep their doors open until midnight, but if there's a particular show or exhibit you want to see, be sure to check the programme. Advertisement And, remember to gather the troops. This is a night for multi-generations of family and friends. Art, history and culture, is very much a shared experience and you can usually find something that everyone loves – or hates. Here's our pick of a few of the thousands of Nuit européenne des musées events in France that might pique your interest. The Musee de la Lumière et de la Matière in Essonne has set up torchlight tours of the world's first electron collider throughout the day. You will need to book in advance. Caen's Musée des Beaux-Arts mixes its arts as an improv group tours the museum's halls – adding to the visitors' experience with impromptu sketches inspired by the venue and the works. The very appropriately named Quai des Savoirs in Toulouse is – its website claims – 'turning into a party venue for the evening', with an evening-long dance party planned and a chance to see an exhibition on the mechanisms and mysteries of crowds, called Comme des moutons ? (like sheep?) Juliobona , the musée gallo-romain in Normandy will take visitors on a tasting tour of antiquity, revealing what our ancestors used to dine on. Maybe, however, don ' t take children currently studying for their brevet or bac exams this summer to the Musée des Écoles de Lille – where a Dictée test by candlelight is one of the attractions on the evening... Advertisement Fancy yourself a bit of a detective? The Musée des beaux-arts in Bordeaux has a Cluedo-style mystery that needs solving – who stole the dagger that Marie de Medici received from her husband Henri IV? Ever wondered how particular works get chosen for exhibition, who chooses, and what they decide to do with each work? The curator of Musée Hyacinthe Rigaud , Perpignan, will explain during a tour of the backrooms of the museum. The musée et site gallo-romains du Fâ , in Barzan (Charente-Maritime) also has an urgent need for lovers of mysteries – this one involves a strange inscription on a broken ceramic shard that needs translating before developers move in… This is one you need to book for in advance, and there's a €15 fee. In Murat (Cantal), there will be a guided tour of Mémorial des Déportés , which recounts the history of two days in the town in 1944, when 121 residents were shot or deported. Advertisement A collective outdoor fresco will be created in real time at international illustration centre the Musée Tomi Ungerer , in Strasbourg as part of a busy evening of events. The Muséum de Grenoble is offering a night-time tour of the Jardin des Plantes Joséphine-Baker, in search of the creepies, crawlies, and flappies of the night…. There's also a torchlight tour of the museum for those who fancy it. The Musée des arts asiatiques , in Nice, hosts a one-artist marionette show entitled The Tiger and The Monk as part of its Night at the Museum events. Take a leading role in the Resistance in liberating Lyon from the Nazis at the city's Centre d'histoire de la résistance . The Musée d'art contemporain in Marseille will, meanwhile, try out a variation on a theme of Erwin Wurm's One Minute Sculptures in which visitors become living works of art under the instruction of an artist. If you've seen the Red Hot Chili Peppers' video for their 2002 hit Can't Stop , you'll get the idea.
