photograph by manfredi bellati
SAINT PAUL DE VENCE
La Colombe d'Or. "Provence has a treasure; it's La Colombe d'Or. It has the precious scent of thyme and nostalgia and the golden colour of olive oil and happy days. The Colombe is part of my life. For me it's a place that's full of promise as of magnificent memories. The Colombe is indefinable, inimitable. I'm happy that today a book brings back the atmosphere of the place which is like no other in the world." wrote Cesar in the preface to the book La Colombe d'Or, Saint Paul de Vence (Assouline 1993). And, like his sculpture, which stands to greet you in the entrance to the terrace restaurant, Cesar gives the "thumbs up" to this idyllic retreat. La Colombe d'Or is the best spot for art-lovers, it is better than a museum, the walls are covered in art, you can dine under a Bonnard, Dufy, Braque, Leger, Miro, Chagall, Villon, Picabia, Matisse Picasso, Arman, Tinguely, Delaunay and Calder, just to name a few. Or you can easily dine next to Dukes, Countesses, millionaires, famous artists, film stars, intellectuals and authors. And, like Collette, who took up her pen one day to write in the visitors' book these words "Wait for me, Colombe, I'm coming back." So will I, for a long weekend next year.

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