Emergency support required, after emotional and unexpected break with boyfriend! What to do when stranded alone in the middle of France? Why, decamp to the South of France, call girlfriends, get alcohol. Specifically to Lou Messugo, a Gite in Roquefort Les Pins midway between Nice and Antibes and towards the mountains.
What do you need to aid in heartbreak – friends, a respectable amount of alcohol, decent weather and if not decent weather a nice place to enjoy whatever the weather presents.
Friend #1: Phoebe. We shared a flat the mid ‘90’s, and during that time we travelled up from Hanoi, across China and Mongolia, Siberia, Russia and into Finland. Part of which of course is the Trans Siberian railway. Part of which was also a horseride through the Altai mountains on the border between Mongolia and Kazakhstan. Phoebe and her husband met in Hanoi.
I met my now ex-boyfriend in Argentina and it hasn’t lasted beyond five years. It has abruptly ended with the Gallic shrug and the ‘I don’t love you anymore so there is nothing to discuss’.
The Gite belongs to Phoebe and her husband, who together with their two sons live in a large house above it. I have the fully contained apartment to myself when I want and I move upstairs to get a break from my over-analysing of what went wrong.
Friend #2: Ruth. Also a friend from Hanoi all those years ago. Also met her husband in Hanoi and being both British moved back to London. Ruth has pledged to a dry January, but this is an emergency and so she has kindly agreed to break her pledge.
Alcohol – well it is France, so a wide variety available. Large quantities of red wine, and then because I am now slightly anti-French, Gin and tonics. I am told that Gin is now a ‘thing’ and that people attend Gin Bars and drink it like whiskey. I didn’t know that. Hopefully this trend has made it to Australia where I am bound, on the weekend.
The Gite opens onto a garden that catches the sun, even in winter. I have escaped from the middle of France where I fell in the snow and ice as I made my slightly un-focussed way to the train station on the way south. The mimosa is flowering and the lavender is fragrant. I have to keep reminding myself that this is actually winter.
Ruth and I are semi-frequent visitors and so waive off the options to visit nearby Grasse, Nice, Cannes or Antibes or to go further afield to Monte Carlo or Ventimiglia. We contemplate a drive to Marseille to see Le Corbusier’s Cite Radieuse , but ultimately decide to book a coiffeuse to come to the house set up the Gite as a personal salon for some pampering and a variety of treatments. For Ruth and I, a ‘brushing’. Phoebe has a couleur and her son has his six-monthly haircut. At one stage Ruth and I find ourselves watching Phoebe’s son have his hair cut as if we were watching TV and we laugh and shake ourselves out of it.
The final day, still preferring a quiet life we take a stroll in the La Colle sur Loup, along the river in the sun. Then I get to choose and I choose lunch … on the water along the Promenade de la Plage in Cagnes sur Mer. Later Ruth flies out – a quick flight across the water to London and the next day I prepare for the long flight back to Australia.
Which is OK. There are worse places.
Even if you are of sound mind and body Lou Messugo is an easy and good place to stay for a holiday. There are plenty of things to do. Shops and restaurants within walking distance, the South of France on your doorstep and easy access to all the famous places – Nice, Cannes, Antibes or further afield to Marseille, Monte Carlo or the Italian border.
Click on this link to get through to the Lou Messugo website to read more or to make a booking.
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Thanks for writing this Sally, I’m so pleased Ruth and I could be there for you in your hour of need.
I’m pleased as well :). Old friends are very special friends & Lou Messugo really is the perfect place to take some time out.
You know, it’s so cool to learn more about Phoebe after all these monthly blog linkies. I understand better why she likes her road trips – she’s obviously had the travel bug for a long time. Thanks for sharing this story of friendship. I hope you don’t stay anti-French for too long.
Hi Harriet, yes Phoebe travels as much as she possibly can and I think even her children have caught the travel bug. We had some great adventures over the years. I’m determined not to be anti French for too long ! Just a little bit for now.
Tough times made better with good friends, add in a bit of French wine and I can see how things will start to look better!
Yes indeed! I’m lucky to have some very good friends who also like to drink wine 🙂
Sounds like a great cure for a broken heart. A good way to recognise that life has to go on – and it’s not necessarily that bad. #AllAboutFrance
Absolutely. Everyone has tough times and we move forward. I’ve never tried a day at the salon with girlfriends to cheer myself up, but it worked a treat 🙂
So sorry to hear of your sudden break up, but it’s so good to hear you have friends who will be there during a time of need! And I think you picked a pretty good place to stay as I’ve researched Phoebe’s apartment and think I would love to visit there one day too! I hope for brighter days ahead for you! #FarawayFiles
Thank goodness for friends! Lou Messugo looked the perfect place for a holiday of any kind. #FarawayFiles #AllAboutFrance
Yes, agreed :). I’ve stayed at Lou Messugo a few times and can highly recommend it! #AllAboutFrance. Thanks for your comment.
An unexpected breakup is never easy, but thankfully you had access to amazing friends and fabulous places in which to spend time with them. I’m thinking I need a girls weekend here! #allaboutfrance
Yes it was hard but I’m very grateful I was able to call on some friends. Perfect place for a girls weekend :), and I can recommend the coiffuese! #AllAboutFrance
Hilary, I’m thinking you probably do too! #AllAboutFrance
So sorry to hear you had a rough time. I must say that anyone who has such amazing friends must also be a wonderful person. What a great way to recover and of course I CANNOT WAIT to spend some time at Lou Messugo myself. Onwards and upwards and here’s to many fantastic days in the South of France #FarawayFiles
That’s such a nice thing to say, and yes I’m lucky to have such nice friends. You must get down to Lou Messugo, it is well worth the visit. Thanks for the comment. #FarawayFiles.
Oh that looks lovely, and just the thing under the circumstances (sorry to hear about them). It all brings my determination to visit Lou Messugo further to the fore. #AllAboutFrance
Hi Emily, yes I hope its not the end of my visits to France (I’m sure it is not). Lou Messugo is a great place for the family as well as a girls getaway. You can do nothing or you get can out and explore the Cote d’Azure from the beaches to the mountains. Thanks for commenting. #AllAboutFrance.
We should all be prescribed some sunshine and friends in the Côte d’Azur on a regular basis – I’m sure it could cure a whole range of physical and emotional ailments. So sorry to hear about your tough term but hoping you’re feeling that bit better for you stay in Nice. Thanks for sharing on #FarawayFiles
Agreed! Re the prescription. Thanks for your best wishes and yes, I’m much better now. Part of life’s rich tapestry … Thanks for hosting #FarawayFiles 🙂
Le sigh. Sounds like a soul-soothing weekend – nothing like belly rolliing laughter with old friends – love the look of Lou Messugo! And PS – we hosted a gin tasting for my birthday this fall – tried versions from all over the world – there are nice Scandi options that focus on the aromatics from these parts! Thanks for sharing with #FarawayFiles, Erin
Gin tasting … that sounds intriguing! I’m betting the Scandi’s do it well. Thanks for hosting and commenting. #FarawayFiles.
WOw its such nice relaxing place to go for holidays of any kind. #FarawayFiles #AllAboutFrance
It sure is!
Ah – friends, the best of therapies, especially when they are in the south of France too! I do hope the angst has passed and you found your gin bars in Australia. A somewhat late visit via #AllAboutFrance
Thanks Rosie! Yes, I’m lucky to have great friends and yes life has calmed down a bit in the last few months. Thanks for commenting 🙂