31st Chapter – Cannes Summer 2026
Cannes/ Thursday, August 6, 2026
Today was battle the French Red tape day.
Winner, Kinda – Rebecca. She finally received an extension of her residence visa. Not a full approval but at least an extension as they process her request. This clears her for our USA trip at months end.
Tie- Patrick – He was recently notified that his health insurance card had been suspended. They had requested proof of full time French residency. No problem but he was not notified of this suspension until his card was rejected at a pharmacy. After two phone calls to the authorities he was able to submit new support materials via the web.
Cannes/ Wednesday, August 5, 2026
It has been very hot in Cannes with high humidity. A bit of a struggle when outside for too long..
32 C = 90 F
21C = 70F
July 10-25 Click below
Cannes/ Saturday, July 4, 2026
Happy 250 America!
I set out to meet up with a friend at 9 AM in Golfe Juan, one train stop from Cannes. It should have been an easy trip, right?
Out of the gate, as I turned the corner near our apartment, one of my earbuds decided to seek liberation and jump out of my left ear. Two bounces later, it found a permanent new home in a sewer grate. A sign that the gods were conspiring against me today.
I arrived at the train station a bit ahead of schedule, so I hopped on an earlier train. Success restored? No so fast.
This particular train blew past my stop to Juan-les-Pins, one stop too far. Ooops it took the wrong train.
Fortunately, a train heading in the opposite direction was just about to leave the station on the other track. I ran to the door and asked a lady, “Does this train stop at Golfe Juan?” She assured me it did as the door closed behind me.
My destination was still just one stop away. Not really.
It turns out this was an express train back to Cannes.
Back to my staring position.
After all that, I was able to catch my original train to Golfe Juan. Still on schedule but with much effort.
Fortunately, I had a delightful conversation and a croissant with a new friend, David at a local coffee house. Totally worth the effort, even factoring in the lost earbud and bonus train rides.
Returning around 11 AM, I headed off to the store to procure a few supplies for tonight’s fireworks. Of course, I left my favorite water bottle at the supermarket.
We have invited all the residents of our building to join us on our terrace for a neighborhood fireworks viewing party at 8:30 tonight. Rebecca has been preparing eats all week. It was part of the Cannes Pyrotechnic Art Festival. Tonight’s presentation was from Serbia.
Every summer for over 50 years, the Bay of Cannes has become the stage for a grandiose artistic challenge: the world’s greatest master pyrotechnicians defend their colors and illuminate the Croisette in a breathtaking competition.
The party …
Ventimiglia, Italy/ Friday, July 3, 2026
I took a train to Ventimiglia, Italy, to visit the Friday market today. About 10 eu each way 1H/30M along the coast.
My mission was to score three new short-sleeved shirts for summer. I had purchased one on my last visit and really liked the cut and 30/70 linen-cotton fabric.
I was able to add some melons and fresh cherries to this quest and returned to Cannes midday.
Cannes/ Monday, June 29, 2026
We had a delightful evening with Marie Christine and Helmut at thier house for dinner with some of thier friends. As always, the food and people made it an enjoyable evening. We returned home around 1 AM thanks to a lift from David and his wife.
Turino/Cannes/ Friday, June 26, 2026
We wrapped up our visit, picked up a few things for lunch on the train and walked to the train station.
Our 10:25 train from Torino Porta Nuova arrived at Savona around 12:36. (2H/11M)
Rebecca and I enjoyed a pleasant conversation with two guys heading to Savona. One was an IA applications engineer, and the other a master’s student originally from Turkey. Their English was excellent, and they were quite interested in Rebecca’s take on hypnosis.
The next leg was Savona 12:55 to Ventimiglia 14:47 Arrival. (1H/52M) , which seemed to us to go rather quickly.
Finally, we took the 15:12 train to Cannes (1H/42M), arriving 16:54.
It was a nice trip, we enjoyed the company of our friend and were reunited with the comfort of being home.
Turino, Italy/ Friday, June 26, 2026
Rebecca took a recovery day, as Bruce and I ventured to The Museo Nazionale dell’Automobile di Torino
Founded in 1932, the Museo Nazionale dell’Automobile is one of the most famous tech and science museums in the world. With a contemporary and futuristic look, the museum’s collection includes more than 200 original cars of 80 different brands, each supported by an interactive research system and a spectacular scenic design.
We set out to take the Metro there. Our starting point was the train station. It was an easy walk from the LINGOTTO stop.
We were very impressed with the collection and information presented, and stayed from 10:00 to about 13:00
Bruce kindly accompanied me back to the Sushi Restaurant for lunch.
After a gelato chasher, we found our way home. We skipped dinner that evening.
The weather was still quite warm, and the shade was our friend.
Turino, Italy/ Thursday, June 25, 2026
Today was Musei Reali Torino Day
In 1563 Duke Emanuele Filiberto established the capital of the Savoy duchy in Turin, setting up the court in the city’s ancient bishop’s palace. In 1584, at the behest of Carlo Emanuele I, the architect Ascanio Vitozzi was entrusted with the project for the construction of a new palace and in the years following 1643 the direction of the works passed to Amedeo di Castellamonte and then again to Carlo Morello.
Jan Miel and Charles Dauphin embellished the rooms on the first floor with carved ceilings and large allegorical paintings glorifying the virtues of the sovereign.
In 1688, Daniel Seyter was called from Rome to fresco the sumptuous gallery overlooking the gardens, and collaborated with the Genoese Bartolomeo Guidobono in the apartments on the ground floor. When Victor Amadeus II gained the royal title (1713), he entrusted Filippo Juvarra with the creation of the “Command Area” consisting of the Secretariats, the Regio Theatre and the State Archives. The position of first royal architect then passed to Benedetto Alfieri, who designed the decorative apparatus of the second floor and set up the new rooms of the Palazzo degli Archivi, frescoed by Francesco De Mura and Gregorio Guglielmi.
During Charles Albert’s reign (1831-1849) many rooms were radically renovated under the direction of Pelagio Palagi, and the new Staircase of Honour was built in 1862. With the transfer of the capital from Turin to Florence (1864) and then to Rome, the palace gradually lost its functions as a residence and with the birth of the Italian Republic (1946) it became a State property.
Having visited several royal palaces in Europe and seeing many large rooms devoid of content, we were not sure what to expect.
We were very impressed with this palace.
The works on display were very substantial, and they included a special chapel constructed specifically for the Shroud of Turin. (Before it was moved to the Cathedral)
On a very hot day, it provided nice relief from the heat.
Turino, Italy/ Wednesday, June 24, 2026 – La Festa di San Giovanni
He headed out early to the Mole, a landmark of Turino, which houses the Museo Nazionale del Cinema.
An architectural landmark of the city of Turin, it was initially conceived as a synagogue, before being bought by the Municipality of Turin and made into a monument to national unity. Planned and begun by architect Alessandro Antonelli in 1863, it was only completed in 1889. With a height of 167.5 metres, it was the tallest brick building in Europe at the time.
The panoramic lift was inaugurated in 1961, during the celebrations for the centenary of the Italian Unification and it was renovated in 1999. Today it still allows visitors to go up to the panoramic terrace which is 85 metres high and take in the amazing views of the city and the surrounding Alps.
Our tour began with a trip to the top for a spectacular view of the city.
Then we took the elevator down to enter the museum itself. It featured an exhibit on Orson Wells and his work. The museum is also very impressive with many interesting exhibits.
After our visit, Rebecca, at my urging, joined me at a Shishi restaurant – Rainbow Sushi (Via S. Tommaso 20/D) that we passed on our way to a different restaurant.
After lunch, we visited Chiesa di Domenico
The presence of the Dominicans in Turin is documented from the mid-13th century; however, the church was built only between 1334 and 1335 and enlarged in 1351.
It is the only Gothic-style building in Turin; the façade—dating back to the second half of the 14th century—is made of brick with regular courses.
Inside, in the Chapel of the Graces, there are 14th-century frescoes, unique examples in Turin.
La Festa di San Giovanni
Today was La Festa di San Giovanni a local holiday, featuring a parade, a bonfire, and fireworks at night.
The Feast of San Giovanni, a cultural heritage of the city, represents a consolidated historical event in which the traditions linked to the history of Piedmont have always been celebrated.
Since the Middle Ages, the feast of Saint John has been a deeply felt event, both as a celebration of the Baptist and as a celebration of the city and its citizens. On June 23rd and 24th, events were organized that were eagerly awaited throughout the year, both by the people of Turin and those living in the surrounding villages
To avoid the heat and crowds, we did not attend the festivities in the town square or the 23:00 fireworks.
Turino, Italy/ Tuesday, June 23, 2026
Our mission today was to explore the Museo Egizio, which was only a few blocks from our apartment. It hosts the largest collection of Ancient Egypt artifacts outside of Cairo. We were very impressed.
The Museo delle Antichità Egizie is the only museum other than the Cairo Museum that is dedicated solely to Egyptian art and culture. Many international scholars, since the decipherer of Egyptian hieroglyphs Jean-François Champollion, who came to Turin in 1824, spend much time pouring over the collections. It was Champollion who famously wrote, “The road to Memphis and Thebes passes through Turin”.The collections that make up today’s Museum, were enlarged by the excavations conducted in Egypt by the Museum’s archaeological mission between 1900 and 1935 (a period when finds were divided between the excavators and Egypt).
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We arrived at the opening and stayed till noon.
After that visit, we headed to the Cattedrale di San Giovanni Battista, which is home to the Shroud of Turin.
The Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, completed in 1498 to a design by the Tuscan Renaissance architect Meo del Caprino, is a fine building in its own right, as well as being well known for housing the Chapel of the Holy Shroud, which was added later. The façade itself is elegantly symmetrical, with gently curving elements surmounting the three entrance doors and fine reliefs on the portals.
The luminous Latin-cross interior still has a predominantly Gothic structure, with chapels housing pictorial and sculptural works from the sixteenth to the nineteenth century.
The shroud is not on regular display, but the cathedral is very impressive.
We dined at Catarina Bistrot (Via Maria Vittoria 27/), Rebecca and I enjoyed a delicious steak which is not usually available in France.
We noticed preparations for tomorrow’s holiday in Turino – the feast of St John the Baptist (La Festa di San Giovanni), where they burn the bull.
We scouted out the Mole as it was our featured destination for tomorrow.
Cannes/Turino, Italy/ Monday, June 22, 2026
Today we began a six-day train trip to Truino /Turin, Italy, with our friends Bruce and Sheila from Nice. The trip took us along the Italian coast to Genova and then north to Truino.
Turin, the capital of the Piedmont region of northwest Italy, sports cars and chocolate are a matter of pride. The city is also home to the Museo Egizio, one of the most impressive collections of Egyptian artifacts in the world. A stroll around Piazza Castello and along the Via Roma encompasses many of the must-see sights. Valentino Park houses an 18th-century castle, botanic garden and medieval village. When you’ve worked up an appetite, sample casual trattorias for pastas, regional wines and coffees.
We caught a 9:31 train from Cannes to Ventimiglia, Italy on the French rail line (SNCF) and then an 11:57 Italian train (TrentItalia) to Genova.
Things became a bit dicey as the train was running 15 minutes late and we had a tight 10-minute connection. Fortunately, we made up some time to Genova with a few minutes to spare and rushed to make the connection. on a nearby track. While connecting, we had a nice conversation with a lady who was visiting for work. She had a doctorate in Network Engineering.
We caught the 14:27 train and arrived in Turin at 16:30. . It was an easy few-block walk from the station Porta Nuova to our Airbnb at XX September 43. We met our facilitator at the apartment to receive the key. It was a nice place with 2 bedrooms and 2 baths.
We had been watching the weather predictions all week with anticipation. Europe was experiencing a major heat wave with temperatures 20 degrees above normal.
Having little control over the weather, we committed to making the best of it. Our apartment had a well-functioning AC, which was a selection criterion.
After unpacking, we headed out for a bite to eat and some exploration.
We wandered for a while with no set destination to get a general feeling of the city. Doing so, we were introduced to a few squares and Roman ruins.
Finally, the challenge of selecting a dinner restaurant presented itself. On the way to a selected destination, we chanced across Trattoria Cantine Barbaroux (Via Giuseppe Barbaroux, 13, ). It seemed popular, so we chose it. We were not disappointed.
We took an indirect path home to do a bit more exploration.
Cannes/Sunday, June 21, 2026
The Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity trade show begins tomorrow. All the big brands are here with high visibility. It runs Monday, June 23-26.
Being in the spotlight is part of the Cannes DNA, no matter whether these are from the cinema or publicity. And the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity no longer has to prove its interest and renown as every year, since 1954, it has brought together thousands of short films, adverts, posters and other products from the creative communications industries. It therefore ranks among the most prestigious events in the advertising and communications sector and brings together publicists from the world over, celebrating the thousands of global creations and showcasing the best works from over 100 countries around the world.
A preferential place of exchange With over 15,000 participants from more than 100 countries, the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity is a place for exchanges between entrepreneurs, directors, creators and the professionals and opinion leaders from the various advertising industries. On the programme: conferences, workshops, networking, tutorials and awards for those in the communications, marketing, design, technology, media and entertainment sectors.
Unfortunately, we will miss it as we are traveling to Turin with some friends.
Cannes/Saturday, June 20, 2026
We hosted two couples on our terrace today, Nino, Sylvia, Sari, and Sammi.
We had a very nice time enjoying the weather, conversation, and the view. Both Sylvie and Sari are knowledgeable and passionate about the history of Cannes.
Cannes/Tuesday, June 16, 2026
Bruch and Sheila came to Cannes today to have lunch and discuss our upcoming trip to Truin.
Cannes/Sunday, June 14, 2026
While at the larger local supermarket, I noticed a nice bottle of 38-year-old Scotch priced at a respectable 690 eu.
It seems very expensive for a supermarket item.
Cannes/Saturday, June 13, 2026
A few weeks ago, I bought a very sweet canelop at a local market and saved the seeds, which I planted on our terrace
The plants are thriving, and we hope for some nice melons later in the season.
Ventimiglia, Italy/Friday, June 12, 2026
I took the train to Ventimiglia for the Friday market as I was running low on sun-dried tomatoes. That was as good a reason as I needed.
I scored my tomatoes, some socks, and a nice linen-cotton shirt.
Villefranche-sur-Mer/Sunday, June 7, 2026
We went to Villefranche-sur-Mer to celebrate our friends’ birthdays – Veronika and Mark at thier lovely home.
We traveled to Nice to meet up with Sheila and Bruce and then took the bus to thier house.
Cannes/Monday, June 1, 2026
I have an ongoing battle with a Seagull family that is nesting on our roof. I have conceded the rooftop where thier nest is to them, but I will not relinquish my terrace.
We have had a few disagreements when they squawk and try to dive bomb me, but I hold my ground.
