Nice

Wander around old town's narrow cobbled streets: despite it being Sunday many shops open, althought as with Villefranche many small one-owner businesses appear to have closed since we were last here. The atmosphere is gently buzzy - young people with lots of shopping; old people enjoying being out: elderly men chasing onerous small coffees, their younger counterparts putting the world to rights over long beers; gaggles of young girls, all short skirts, long golden legs and laughter.

Down at the seafront -Promenade Anglaise we stop for coffee, sitting outside one of the many, indistinguishable cages that line the pavement.

Later we eat at Restaurant Franchin on rue Masseney, a stones throw, around a few corners and down a few streets from the Hotel Windsor. Restaurant has an atmosphere of elegant art deco, those wonderful old tiles on floor, series of posters lining the walls, amazing wrought-iron entrance porch and corniche'd ceiling . It is run by the indominatable Madame Florence. A dynamo of energy with a 'Chanel' bob, a bright smile and who operates as a tornado of perfection. We eat: husband: onion soup, Crevettes of prawns and monkfish and glass of house White, finishing with an espresso; I've fish soup - love mustard mayonnaise and grated Parmesan that is part of this soup, Crevettes too,carafe water and green tea. Bill: €89.70 - no service charge.

Anyone who loves shops should visit Galeries Lafayette on avenue Jean Medecin - four floors of clothing for men, women and children, as well as a wonderful household section, and a restaurant which is bright, airy and spacious and serves the best lunch in Nice. Sample the salmon and spinach quiche and I guarantee you won't taste better.

If you like Italian food, La Baie d'Amalfi on rue Deloye serves the best.  It's decor is pleasingly golden, the service friendly. We had Taglioni Rocher and Spaghettata Pecher with a green salad, as well as one extraordinarily pleasant coupe.