Putnam patriot., 1929-04-18


 Azur" as it is generally called in France and throughout the rest of the world, does not, as one might think, comprise all of the southern coast of France by any means. More properly the term applies to that part of the Mediterranean shore which lies be- tween St. Raphael and the Italian border. If yea 19ill consult a map of France you will find easily enough from the typographical indications, the reason why this section of the coast has become the most cosmopoli- tan and the most crowded of all the worlds winter resorts. Protected on the west by the Esterel mountains which plunge down into the very sea itself and form one of the most beautiful features of the Riviera land scape and to the north by the high, snow-clad Maritime Alps, the hun dred or more miles of coast form a sunny strand that bathes in the warm breezes that come across the Mediter- ranean from Africa and make possi- ble a semi-tropical vegetation not to be seen along the less protected sec tlons of the coast to the west.
 If one goes down to the Riviera by train, one passes directly southward to Lyons and thence to Marseilles, turning eastward inland through a countryside far more Italian than French in character. Twisting, the train again points towards the sea and rests for moment at Toulon, Frances great Mediterranean naval port, then inland again and back to the sea at Frejus and finally, the Riviera itself at St. Rapheal. From St. Raphael the road leads around the Esterels by the sea and turns the bend of the mountains that brings one facing the "Golfe de la Napoule" where Cannes nestles in the bays half-circle, protected by the noun tains towering behind. the Esterels to the west and the Cape of Antibes to the eastward.
 Today, Cannes is perhaps the most fashionable and the most popular of the Riviera resorts. During the sea son it's great hotels are filled with visitors from every nation in the world. Its Casino far surpasses now the former brilliancy of far-famed Monte Carlo. Yet each of the towns that lie in the Riviera sunshine have their separate character and clientele. St. Raphael has long been dedicated to the English visitor and winter resident. Cannes, prior to it's present great popularity was largely an ex- elusive villa society. Going on down ] the coast, Juan les Pins possesses the 5 best of the bathing beaches on this part of the coast and Cap d'Antibes which comes next, has it's quota of beautiful villas and residences. Pass. ing on one comes to the mountainous old town of Cagnes, beloved, ,--al most too much beloved.--of painters and then, crossing the River Var formerly the boundary line betweer Italy and France, one comes to Nice Nice, however is more than a winter resort for it is now the sixth larges city in France. It is however, witl foreigner and Fyenchman alike a favorite visiting place and it probabl, can best be described to Americanl as the "Atlantic City of France"
 Beyond Nice, the mountains come down abruptly into the sea. Thence to the Italian border the shorelin' forms a series of capes and indenta tions. One passes first the beautiful harbour of Villefranche and ther Beaulieu, one of the loveliest of th' Riviera towns. Beyond lies Cap Fer rat, then with Eze, hanging high on [ mountain above. the traveller turn a bend and before him lies the rocl of Monaco and it's attendant city o' Monte Carlo. Beyond Monte Carlo lies beautiful Cap Martin and Men tone with the French Riviera ending abruptly at the border town of Venti miglia.
 We left Paris by the famous Blu Train" the luxurious Riviera specia which leaves the Care de Lyon short ly before eight each night. To hea it referred to by the French on' would believe that the "Blue Train formed the super luxury of all mod ern travel. yet we have found bette trains to the Riviera, not painted blue, it is true. but giving equal com fort where comfort is possible. I'm only difference between the "Blu' Train" and any other first-clas French express that we could ascer tain was that the cars were painted blue and that the traveller was pre- sented. wonder of wonders with { free cake of soapl Yet for the adver tised comfort of the Blue Train" tn, traveller pays fifty per cent more thar on the regular express. The gain IT time is negligible.
 To the American traveller there + an intense interest in the Care dc Lyon at night. Here is our train and beside it the famous Oriental Express with cars marked for Lausanne, Wien, na. Bucharest, Belgrade. Athens and Constantinopie. Here are trains fol various other points all over Central Europe. Every European, Asiatic and American race Is represented in tho hprrying crowd of travellers. It j. the high point of the days travel 1T Paris, this scene at the Care de Lyons in the early evening.
 A shriek of the impossible little 1 locomotive and we are off, of for ( beastly uncomfortable night ovei one of the worlds worst roadbeds Nothing can forgive the French ma ton for the abominable discomforti of the ride from Paris to Marseilles | While international comparisons ars always odious we can think of nc | American road that can touch it foi complete and elemental roughness.