CITROEN AMI to GRAND HOTEL DU CAP, Cocteau Villa + Sir Norman Foster's pad.

Me and MON CITROEN AMI had FAB walk to GRAND HOTEL DU CAP, Cocteau Villa + Sir Norman Foster's pad and we learn about the history of Villa Santa Sospir and the Grand hotel Du Cap.
Co-ordinates for today's walk:
Cap Ferrat Phare
goo.gl/maps/rS4GQECqchsa2y269
Club Dauphin:
goo.gl/maps/1t8Z9QE8R53G1zfZ9
Fossettes Beach
goo.gl/maps/cH7FQkj2UDbd9EtF9 goo.gl/maps/cH7FQkj2UDbd9EtF9
If you have enjoyed this video and want to support the channel and help it grow you can:
Contribute Directly: tinyurl.com/52ncp8yr ❤️
Buy Me A Beer: www.buymeacoffee.com/Timfountain 🍺
Please do consider supporting as small amounts can make a huge difference and crucially it helps us maintain our independence.
My Camera Gear:
Main Camera: amzn.to/3ARaesr
B Roll Camera: amzn.to/37V4otx
Selfie Grip: amzn.to/3y4UvEe
Microphones: amzn.to/3kaEp6W
Wide angle lens: amzn.to/3iY4oiB
Gimbal: https//amzn.to/3APehp0
Camera Cage: amzn.to/3j1UBbE
Drone 1: amzn.to/3j1UBbE
Drone 2: amzn.to/3iZClQ5
360 Camera: amzn.to/3xZSk4V
Micro Camera: amzn.to/3xZT3TM
ZV1 extra Batteries: amzn.to/3gg2vwh
External memory: amzn.to/3gfqM5v
My Editing Gear:
iPad Pro: amzn.to/3n6OMMr
Lumafusion
Photoshop
Mojo
Canva
Pixelmator
By clicking on any of these links we get a small commission which helps fund the channel. Even if you dont buy the actual product so please do click and then we benefit from anything else you buy from Amazon in the next 48 hours.

[@terrycrick3600]

Really felt like I was with you on this one Tim,you really bring the joys of this part of the world to life and it's so enjoyable, better than many a mainstream T.V . presenter, all the best mate, Terry.

[@MeandMonAmi]

Thanks very much Terry. So glad you are enjoying.

[@seanbuckley7485]

Thanks for another great video. PLEASE keep walking. I did not have a car for decades. When I got a car I walked much less. Now I can only do short walks and it is hard to try to regain the walking ability when we become seniors. Maybe my partner and I will meet you in Nice when we move there from California in a few years. Stay well to you and Mr Boo.

[@MeandMonAmi]

I will and am. You are so right, cars make you very lazy!

[@parkview113]

enjoyed it. thanks. memories of walking holiday based in Menton with my wife

[@fredbaxter8371]

Just great.

[@MeandMonAmi]

Thanks Fred!

[@mikecane]

That scenery!

[@rebekahlow8375]

Wonderful video! I love learning about the people and places!! The scenery is awesome!! Thank you for the fabulous walk!!!! Love from Vermont

[@user-cc5ik3gy4b]

Thank you 🫶

[@nickwebb9290]

A fabulous programme, so interesting and also amusing, especially your closing story. But hey, you really should get another little boat as you’d be able to film some hilarious antics afloat Captain Tim 😁

[@MeandMonAmi]

We are working on a version of it!;

[@nickwebb9290]

@@MeandMonAmi That should be a riot then Tim 😂🤣

[@starshiptrooper833]

Fascinating stories and information!!! Not long discovered you both. Love the car and the paces you put it through. I have only ever been through Villefranche on the train from Nice to Monaco… you’re so lucky to live there and I’m really enjoying the escape from reality your videos give me. Thanks x

[@MeandMonAmi]

Welcome aboard! So glad you are enjoying

[@Larry]

There's loads of those WWII bunkers dotted around Norfolk, unfortunatly most of them are full of old beer cans and smell of wee.

[@MeandMonAmi]

These smell much the same inside..

[@Caoucaren]

Lovely walks, spectacular views. I wonder why they don’t demolish the abandoned villa? Camp ground coming back is a wonderful idea.

[@MeandMonAmi]

Yes its odd. Been like that for at least 15 years. There are others in the area…

[@simonclews]

Great episode, Tim. Not that I want to brag or anything, but we spend a day taking the Cap Ferrat walk (in the counterclockwise direction) as a kind of pilgrimage on every visit to VSM. Edmund Hillary only climbed Everest once. On one of those visits (I think it was in 2014), we stopped for our constitutional beer at a sidewalk café in St. Jean and who should saunter by in what looked like pajamas but Nigel Havers. Anyway, you are the tour guide extraordinaire and I was particularly enthralled by your stories of Francine Weisweiller, Jean Cocteau and La Villa Santo Sospir. Oh, and bring back the campsite. May us plebeians win the Conflict of the Orders!

[@MeandMonAmi]

Indeed Hilary was such a lightweight! And it’s funny you mention Mr Havers because last year I spotted him wandering through Beaulieu port. He’s the new Michael Winner!

[@bathhousebabylonbook]

There used to be more than one campsite on Cap Ferrat. That location you showed, with the former stone pier, was part of a quarry, and the rock taken from that particular spot was used to help build the port in Monaco back in the day. The now-empty villa there was at one time complete and a family home.

[@MeandMonAmi]

Great Info. Do you know why the villa became uninhabited?

[@Thenewsystemis]

The Ami brought me here and I'm glad it did. What a wonderful drive you have ahead and I'm on board for the ride. Great narration, content and editing. Watching you warms me up in cold England in the winter months.

[@MeandMonAmi]

Thanks Neil. So glad you enjoyed! Merry Xmas!

[@patbowman6723]

I can't believe how blue the sea is there. I love to sit with a cup of tea and watch your videos, they are always so beautiful and informative. thank so much. Your story at the end of this video made me laugh so hard. Gay abandon lol!

[@MeandMonAmi]

Thanks Pat it was a sad loss Gay Abandon!

[@andyshacks7812]

Oh my. Another stunning walk. Just what I need on a dark December evening. It’s so gorgeous there! Thanks Tim. 🙏

[@MeandMonAmi]

Thanks Andy

[@Didi-ir1gr]

Lovely

[@MeandMonAmi]

Thanks Didi

[@camaroblackstar]

Interesting stuff as Im studying art history and Ive told a few fellow students ! You know your stuff :D

[@MeandMonAmi]

Thanks for the recommendations!

[@emilys6186]

Fab details! Bring back the campsite, (although they can get washed away as I found with my beloved Camping du Pylone at Biot 😢)

[@MeandMonAmi]

Yes I love the old campsite pic!

[@Gmund1948]

I just read that Alec Weisweiller named Villa Santo Sospir after an old nickname for the tip of the peninsula that translates to 'sacred sigh', as it was said that sailors would breathe a sigh of relief on seeing the lighthouse there.

[@MeandMonAmi]

That’s very interesting Antony!

[@HermanKolff]

so cute .. ! thanx

[@tomkorcak5038]

Hi Tim, thank you for all the effort you put in your channel. You make my Sunday evenings before mundane Mondays much more bearable. I enjoyed watching all episodes. I have been on CdF walk maybe 15 times back in '99 onwards and I love it. It is not just the sea but you just look up and see the everlasting remodelling of all the villas. Only the number of graffiti on that concrete torso and syringes kept growing through out the years. I though originally it was meant to be a beach bar or restaurant given the layout, but who knows. Cheers from snowy and cold Prague. It is -1 C here now.

[@MeandMonAmi]

Thanks Tom I’m so pleased you enjoy them.

[@tomkorcak5038]

@@MeandMonAmi Yep, I do. I truly enjoy your history lessons (Bennett, Belle Epoque and 60-70s stories). I used to stay at my friend's in Nice near the Museum of Art Naive and been to many places at the Riviera through out the years. But was missing the stories and your genuine and interesting way of telling them. I do enjoy the channel.

[@maxcopen4676]

Hi, I’ve just stumbled upon your channel as one does when trolling through KZbin and I have to say I am transfixed. Love you guys, love your little car and, of course, not forgetting Halloween. What a truly stunning part of the world you are lucky enough to live in, so beautiful and scenic. I am truly thoroughly enjoying your adventures in the Ami and look forward to your future vlogs. Well done guys, live your best life!

[@MeandMonAmi]

Thanks Max.

[@ozdoodle]

I would buy you guys a coffee flavored beer but I don’t have a Twitter account. I’m sorry. I’ll keep checking. Absolutely love your adventures. We recently bought an apartment in Nice and have loved watching you- showing us where we MUST GO when we are there. Thanks Tim and Boo! 😂

[@MeandMonAmi]

Thanks. You don't need a twitter account!

[@sheilamcgugan8249]

Just remembered! I have a book in my collection which might be of some help re. places to visit on the BIG TRIP . It's the Secret French Riviera by Jean - Pierre Cassely . Could be a smart ass and mention something from it that would naff. To many places to mention. Think it is probably on line also. Just a thought Tim. All the best. Brian

[@MeandMonAmi]

Thanks Brian I shall look it up!

[@maz9200]

New Labour water... 😂💜. Just discovered your channel, you two and your little Ami are just so charming. Looking forward to more adventures and stories from the south of France. Love from a queer in N. Scotland!!!! 😂🏳️‍🌈💜

[@MeandMonAmi]

Nectar of the Gods; So glad you are enjoying!

[@ninavesterinen7983]

The Norman Foster villa is owned from January 2007 by a Finnish businesswoman Ms Kirsti Paakkanen. Unfortunately she died couple of months ago. She was 92 years old when she died. She has no children, nor a husband. I wonder what happens to this beautiful villa. She really enjoyed her life in Cap Ferrat. She was a true lady.

[@MeandMonAmi]

How interesting Nina. I Love the house and she sounds like she was very nice. I hope it is bought by someone who also values it.

[@dpnice7721]

Really envy you the Cocteau visit; though I did spend two nights at the Grand Hotel du Cap when I first came to France.

[@MeandMonAmi]

That’s pretty grand!

[@dpnice7721]

@@MeandMonAmi Even grander my very first night spent in France was at the Carlton in Cannes.

[@barbaranelson9175]

Loving your walks & laughed at your adventure on "Gay abandon", the weather there is fabulous, chilly here in the Lake District

[@MeandMonAmi]

Thanks Barbara. Yes we’ve had a lucky winter so far. Cold ish nights but lovely clear sunny days for the most part.

[@parkview113]

I believe we did this walk or similar,,, have my Ami on order for Spring 2022 - anticipate a parts shortage and a delay !

[@MeandMonAmi]

Thanks William. They seem suddenly to be arriving here a little more on schedule after big delays.

[@parkview113]

that's good news ...

[@MeandMonAmi]

@@parkview113 Yup. I’m going to do a video on the car and my accidental drive on the motorway this week

[@parkview113]

look forward to more on The Ami - your general impressions ...

[@sheilamcgugan8249]

Didn't think you could get any better!!! Best on the Tube !!!! Well done Tim Don't know if you would be interested in taking a nosey at Carol Drinkwater's place ?? Don't know if it's even possible. Quite topical just now with her series on TV over here. Great stuff as per Brian

[@MeandMonAmi]

Thanks Brian. Do you think Carol is up for a visit? I’ve enjoyed La Passionate!

[@sheilamcgugan8249]

I'm sure she would be glad to see you. Go for it You Mr Boo and Carol. She might even let you squeeze her olives😂 Could be a new series there 😁😁👍

[@rebekahlow8375]

Thank you for risking exposure to "Sin" to let us see the abandoned villa. Avoiding the "Near occasion of Sin" in Vermont

[@MeandMonAmi]

Keep clear it leads to bad things!;

[@niklaspernelind768]

Great and interesting videos, much appreciated! Do you have suggestions for books to read if one wish to know more about Cap Ferrat, Villefranch, Beaulieu and for that matter the french riviera in general?

[@MeandMonAmi]

Jim rings book riviera is good and is the Ted jones one

[@niklaspernelind768]

@@MeandMonAmi Thank you! Will check check these books out👍

[@conorgraafpietermaritzburg3720]

Wow! With the story of 'Gay Abandon ' you guys are a laugh a minute!

[@MeandMonAmi]

Poor Gay Abandon!

[@bradfitzgerald7675]

Hi Tim, thank you for your wonderful videos. I think you may have to do something about the algorithm here as even searching for you (knowing there was a video today) you were suppressed. Thanks again for the great videos.

[@MeandMonAmi]

Thanks Brad. I’m afraid the algorithm baffles me and I’ve watched a million videos on it!

[@bradfitzgerald7675]

@@MeandMonAmi your videos deserve a bigger audience. They’re great. Thank you.

[@MeandMonAmi]

Thanks. I think I need an algorithm expert!

[@muggensan8611]

there is something that i don't get , you probably gave the explanation but i haven't seen it the ami that you get delivered in the previous video was the basic model the "amai ami" wasn't it? and now you have the "ami orange" ?

[@MeandMonAmi]

No we always had orange but it doesn’t come with stickers on so you add them!

[@muggensan8611]

@@MeandMonAmi ah ok merci 👍

[@franbacon4293]

So so brilliant - will stall my withdrawal symptoms from your great walks, knowing there’ll be some fabulous ‘explores’ with the new ( and gorgeous) purchase! When I got my drivers licence age 17 - ( 58 years ago !! ) I borrowed my mums’ mini traveller and drove down with a friend to Cassis - we camped in the car and ate baguettes and cheese - we were students with limited resources, but still thought we were very sophisticated! - such a wonderful journey - this was my first experience of south west France. The love affair remains today. Does this area come within your explore ? Thanks for my Sunday evening ‘fix’ 🙏🍷

[@MeandMonAmi]

Thanks Fran! I shall have to get the map out but I think our plan is to end this journey in Marseille and don’t worry there will still be walks along the way. Don’t want to get fat!

[@colingarner6175]

Love your videos ❤️ for me there’s no such thing as good graffiti.

[@MeandMonAmi]

Thanks Colin!

[@wendydreaney8763]

Is there any recent information regarding the re-opening of Villa Santo Sospir to visit?

[@MeandMonAmi]

Delayed by a year sadly (Last time I looked anyway(

[@wendydreaney8763]

@@MeandMonAmi something to look forward to I guess. Thank you for the information.