Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1960-02-28
Snow and q Pebble Beach
Mark French Centennial

A sun-bathed luxury resort
on the Riviera and a snow
capped Alpine region celebrate
a joint anniversary this year
as members of the national
family Of France.
A century ago, during the
turbulent days of Italy's unfit
cation, the Kingdom of Sar-
DINA coded to France its
coastal county of Nice and its
ancestral province of Savoie,
so miles to the north along the
French-Italian Alps.
Each brought its own brand
of individuality to the check
erboard diversity that is pro-
vincial France. says the Ma
tional Geographic Society.
Benevolent nature gave Nice
a perfect setting for one of the
worlds leading summer and
winter resorts. Framed by
verdant hills under blue Medi-
terranean skies. the city is
washed by gentle waves that
invite decorative beach Sitters
to swimming or surfboard ex-
erciSeS.
Visitors who look in vain for
a comfortable sandy beach
soon get used to a strand
spread literally with round,
oval and deceptive sharp peb-
bleS. To pamper tender skins,
there are rented beach cots on
which to recline and sun battle.
Americans Plentiful
People of many nationalities
pour into Nice by bus, train,
and plane-on bicycles and in
long, purring limousineS. More
and more are Americans, afflu-
ent and otherwise. Part of the
fun for modest vacation splurg-
erS comes from watching the
gllded lives of the rich, titled,
and famous personages gath
cred there.
AS a glamorouS backdrop for
entertainment and Sustenance
offered its guests, Nice unrolls
a panorama of good hotels,
sidewalk C fes, promenades,
shops, movies, art galleries. an
opera house, and gambling
casino.
This year a lavish centennial
program will be linked with the
usual gala events. Art shows,
industrial exhibits. plays, and
lectures will carry the theme
of century of development.
Costume balls. folk festivals,
and pageantS will re-create the
glittering court Of Napoleon III
and Eugene.
In the lofty Savoie region
divided by France into the Sa-
vote and Haute (high) Savoie
Districts - visitors will find
other centennial events.
At Chambery, seat of medi-
eval power and hub of modern
industry and communications,
election of the Duchess of
Savoie" will highlight the spe-
clal celebrations, fairs, and the
usual winter sports season.
Scenic Region
Mountain climbers, skiing en-
thusiaStS, spa fanciers, poets
and artists, long ago discovered
the challenges and delights of
this spectacularly scenic region
that holds the Alps highest
peak, Mont Blanc.
In political history Savoie is
famous as the cradle of one of
Europe's most successful but
currently kingless dynasties,
tie Rouse OF oaVoie. Originate
ing in an l1th-century noun
tain stronghold south of Lake
Geneva, the counts - later
dukes-of Savoie controlled the
high passes over the western
Alps.
Gradually, by Skillful use of
Savoie's buffer position between
rival powers of south and CEN
rial Europe, the mobiles ex-
tended their domains from the
ancestral castle at Chambery
deep into the Mediterranean.
Daughters of the Savoie line
sat on the thrones of England,
France, Spain, and Germany.
In 17l3, Savoie's Victor Anna
deus II became King of Sicily.