The Negresco.

I don't think I would ever tire of looking at this building. It truly is a magnificent piece of architecture and design. I have actually featured the Negresco right at the beginning of this blog but I think it's worth a revisit.
The facts: the hotel was built by a Romanian called Henri Negresco who was director of the municipal casino when he had the clever idea of building a sumptuous hotel to attract the moneyed classes to the riviera. It was designed by Edouard Niemans with the pink dome being designed by Eiffel. The chandelier composed of 16,309 crystals was by Baccarat so we really are talking top of the range. The chandelier is especially stunning though it's hard to capture its beauty in a photo.
The hotel opened in 1913 but was turned into a hospital during the first world war and then fell into the hands of creditors after the war. Negresco died at the young age of 52.
In 1957 the hotel was bought by the Augier family who turned the hotel's fortunes round. The hotel now houses an important art collection and a famous restaurant as well as being a 4 star hotel and a listed French monument. The hotel has its own web site in English and French and even if you can't visit in person, you can take the cyber tour and take a look at that chandelier.

Miles Davis

It's been one of those weeks: computer problems, grey skies, son going back to university et al et al. I need a morale boost and what could be better than Miles Davis by Niki de St Phalle outside the Negresco?
A glass of good red wine inside the Negresco might come close though...

Miles Davis

This statue of Miles Davis, the legendary jazz musician by Niki de Saint-Phalle stands outside the Negresco.
Happy Valentine's Day!

The Hot Yellow Chick at the Negresco.

This lady is called La Nana Jaune, the yellow chick. Isn't she gorgeous? Full of life and colour and movement.
The sculpture was created by Niki de Saint Phalle whose nanas you can read about here and is displayed in the Negresco.

Negresco

Here's the Negresco from a bit closer. We spent the morning there yesterday because I never knew there was so much to see inside. It's so much more than a hotel, believe me, with great displays of paintings, antiques and sculpture and the gallery's open and free to anyone who wants to browse. The coffee's good too!