Issue No. 13

Credit Hotel Belles Rives
An elaborate, stunning chandelier hangs over the table de commandant/
captain’s table. Before one consults the menu, art is the main course here:
substantial Leger-inspired sculptures frame the room, Egyptian sculptures,
ceramique flamé in primary colors, la terre rouge, hand-painted Bernardaud
porcelain plates with white background, la terre blanche, hand-blown glass
from the skilled verriers of nearby Biot.
Fun and relaxation are found in equal
measure on the sandy private beach, small
as it is, and along the private jetty. Swimming,
sunbathing plus a variety of water
sports are all indulged. And here we find
another story, the Belles Rives Ski
Nautique: one of the most prestigious
waterskiing clubs in the world.
Just as the Fitzgerald legacy takes us back
to a nostalgic time, so does this story of
Léo Roman. In 1931, the off-duty ski
instructor was inspired by the calm waters
of Golfe-Juan to test a dynamic new sport.
Visitors and locals were excited by the
thrill of gliding across the bay. Today the
club remains very active and open to all.
In the lobby, the artwork of ships on the
wall and subtle furniture create the illusion
of preparing for a voyage. There is a sense
of being on an ocean liner during the grand
days of transatlantic crossings. One enters
the Michelin-starred dining room, La
Passagère. The cuisine focuses on local
seafood and superior desserts under the
direction of some of the finest chefs in
France.
Bold Temple of Luxor-style columns
covered in marble mosaic create a dramatic
sense of structure. The geometric
frescos on the walls were discovered when
wall paper, applied after WW2, was stripped
in 2001 to install air conditioning. They
offer an effective backdrop to the stunning
exhibit of ceramic and glass art created by
local artisans that compliments the
collection of 1930’s art.