Queen in the castle

Let's start my second week in an appropriate way.

Monday morning, I have the honor to visit the castle of Mandelieu, one of the most iconic buildings of the city. It's much more than just a castle. Besides it's unique location at the coast (you could dive from the terrace in the sea), and in the city center of Mandelieu. I'm surprised by the mission of the family. Every year the castle hosts artists from around the world in spring and autumn for 1 month to stay for free, including meals. To support, encourage and inspire beginners and medium artists in their profession and career. This is done by their own Art Foundation. Next, every event that will take place in the castle, if this is your meeting, cocktail, dinner, a fee will go to the Foundation created by the family of the owner of Henry Clows.

The castle can host events up to 600 pax. And you can privatize the castle at any moment. Even in the peak season. Which is a real unique selling point as most venues which are open for the public to visit have many restrictions.

Traveling is exploring your horizons

It’s rare to meet couples on a camping who are traveling and working in a camper. Manny and Florence are on the road for 2 years, and we meet each other doing the dishes. We started talking (as the average people on the campings are mainly 60 plus) and I invited them for a bottle of wine (yes, the famous bottles of wine from the 84 year old man at the vineyard in Luxemburg who were still in my fridge for almost 2 months). As I don’t drink alone I finally had a nice occasion.

We talked about our backgrounds and experiences and after opening the second bottle of wine (it was a good wine after all) they asked me if I wanted to record an interview with them. Of course. The purpose is to inspire and inform others how to earn money along your journey on the road. A fantastic idea that I would love to support.

Thank you Florence and Manny and the two lovely cats Caroline and Denzel for the inspiring conversation, and great advice! We meet for a reason. See the full interview here.

Like a fish in the water

Rowing is like riding a bike, you will never forget it!

It was one of those mornings.. lack of energy and didn't want to get out of bed. Despite that the sun is shining, I have a great day ahead but just couldn't motivate myself. I know I don't need to search why, I damn know why. Grief pops up at every moment, just have to accept it as it comes.

I had a meeting in front of the camping at the rowing club. When I was a student I was part of a rowing club, a very special one, part of the military station in town. At that time we still had boats of wood, heavy to put them in the water, especially after rowing. In the Netherlands it's not always very nice weather, and it was sometimes tough to motivate yourself to go in the boat, in the cold or rain.

Now, this is a completely different environment (and we're 20 years later!).

As soon as I sat in the boat with my coach, the wind, the water, the sun, it felt great! Like a fish in water. As you have learned rowing once you will remember. This was just what I needed, the elements of nature, water, wind, and exercise! To change my mindset and to empty my head.

A perfect activity for grievers! Perhaps I should extend my offer with rowing...  the cruise is already on the way.....

I cannot stress enough that being outside, meeting people and being in touch with one of the elements of nature is healing. Not only for grievers like me, but we heavily underestimate the value and impact of nature.

Of course this activity is perfect for incentive and teambuilding. I thought that you couldn't row on the sea, well in Mandelieu you can. Due to the wind this was not possible now, but normally they do. Can you imagine rowing along the coast and enjoying the spectacular coastline from the water with your team?

Mandelieu has potential

Cannes has always been the city for the festival, and for many years people came to Mandelieu, the neighbors (depending where you are, but around 5 km max) for pleasure, to relax. To play golf, for other sports, and to enjoy the green spaces. And this is still the case today.

Golf

The Old Golf Course is huge! If you're talking about Mandelieu, you can't miss this golf court. Do you know that it has the same size as the Central Park in New York? If you look at the pictures from above town, the golf course takes up a huge part of the city. It has different golf courts for all levels, from beginners to the most professional ones.

And a nice detail, if you're playing you need to take the transfer by boat to cross the golf course to the other side of the river.

It has many places and various options for creating events. And not only outside, they are equipped for indoor meetings, events and dinners. They have their own kitchen and experienced staff, but they also work with catering companies from outside, in case of large groups.

In the near future a small hotel will be built on the golf court.

Smaller destinations grow in interest

It was announced that second tier cities (smaller destinations) will grow in interest after Covid. Large destinations like Barcelona, London and Paris became less attractive due to different reasons, like accessibility, pricing, capacity, wellbeing, crowded etc.

Smaller destinations are easier to reach (not all I agree) less crowded, in general more green, and more space.

We don't need to forget that now a younger group of people are making decisions, and they have a different work ethic, and focus more on life balance. Which is a good development.

All these developments and elements are in favor of Mandelieu.

Walkable destination, lots of water, green spaces, many outdoor activities and sport options. Especially if you come in months like February until April or in autumn. It's perfect. Not too busy, and important before the Festival of Cannes :-)

It's fantastic to put on my running shoes and just run along the mediterranean sea. Especially on Sunday you see a lot of people running, walking along the coast.

Last week I visited some hotels and this week again. As the offer is very different in Mandelieu. Here you don't have the regular big chain hotels, like Hilton which is an advantage and inconvenient at the same time. Some event professionals or nationalities only or prefer to work with chains, others choose obviously not to.

Charm boutique hotel Ilot du Golf

A new small Boutique hotel de charme with 40 rooms divided over 3 levels. A private owned hotel along the river and you can choose to arrive by car or by boat. They have a nice garden including a pool including a sauna and hamam (yes, heated) overlooking the river Siagne.

Ilot du Golf is new and they have taken care of every detail. You can privatize this hotel, which is great. In the garden on the terrace of the first floor you can organize and host events. They don't have a classical meeting room but the breakfast area can be used for gathering. Clients from outside are welcome for dinner.

Zenitude

A nice hotel which has 111 rooms divided over two blocks, including a pool and a huge garden dedicated to events. As this hotel consists of two blocks, you can privatize a part of the hotel. And in every room of the hotel you have a small kitchen. And the garden in the back is huge, here you can host large events. And as you can privatize a block, you don't disturb the other clients. And the hotel is certified with the Green Key label.

I finished my stay with a visit to one of the larger events in town, called the boat show. This is one of the larger outdoor events hosted by the city. Free of charge you can walk around and stare/gaze (or visit) one of the amazing boats. The idea popped up to have a boat, but as my expertise in the water is completely lacking, I don't think this is a good idea. And not sure what would Loekie think of this? She's happy to jump out from time to time, and to feel the grass under her feet... what would she do in the water? No, let's stick to the original plan, the camper.

I finished my stay in the rain, which received a warm welcome from me and the inhabitants. It's really dry and hasn't rained lately so I was happy leaving Mandelieu in the rain.

Up to my third and last destination, Nice 😊