Côte d’Azur with Child and Art

Côte d’Azur with Child and Art – Arya is in charge …

When a trip becomes a stage, an adventure and family time all at once, special moments unfold. While Arya explores the streets of Nice with wide-eyed curiosity, her parents – Vanessa and Philippe – take care of the cultural highlights. The opera evening? Naturally their idea. Just like today’s museum visit. And yet: who’s really calling the shots becomes clear along the way – between market stalls, ocean views and the little stages of everyday life.

Practicing early: rewriting the everyday script, one scooter ride at a time.

 

Market Morning – Between a Flower and a Pumpkin

Before heading to the opera, we meet Vanessa, Philippe and Arya for breakfast at the market in Nice’s old town. A bit of baguette, a bit of sunshine – then a short stroll, just the three of us: Grandma, Grandpa, and Arya.

Nose deep in blooms – when you search like this, you find more than flowers.

At the very first flower stall, Arya stops in her tracks. She buries her little nose in the colorful bouquets and wants a flower. Reinhold starts counting coins, but the market lady waves him off – she wants to give Arya a present. A sweet gesture… but not what Arya had in mind: a small plastic pumpkin on a stick.

Arya pauses. Looks. Then politely says thank you.

But a moment later, with quiet determination, she adds:

“That’s not a flower. I want a flower.”

And so we move on – with a pumpkin and a flower in hand.

A tiny slice of market charm in the morning sun.

And now: off to the opera.

 

Vivaldi à la Arya

Little people. Great masterpieces.

We’re a little surprised when we’re invited to join a Sunday morning opera in Nice. A children’s concert is planned – Vivaldi’s Four Seasons, for both kids and adults. Arya, four years old, and Vivaldi? Hmm.

They just want to introduce her to the finer things in life – and who could argue with that?

A flower and a pumpkin in hand – great art through little eyes.

Well then. Arya was wide-eyed during spring, completely captivated in our private loge. But as summer arrived, she began to droop slightly over the balustrade.

Autumn was spent running up and down the hallway – with Grandpa, full of energy, though not exactly in time with the music.

Somewhere between autumn and winter came Dad’s gentle warning: “Please sit down and listen. This is something special.”

Winter was then spent cuddled on my lap, looking through photos on the iPad. Art is, after all, a matter of perspective.

But when the applause began – there she was again. Front and center. Beaming, proud, clapping.

How Arya will remember that Sunday morning? I couldn’t say.

But Reinhold and I – we found it thoroughly entertaining.

 

The Carousel on Place Garibaldi – A Big Drama on a Small Lion

A nostalgic carousel in the heart of Nice – a stage for grand adventures on tiny lions.

 

Everything looks so peaceful: a nostalgic carousel spins gently on Place Garibaldi. Arya proudly holds her own ticket, hands it over politely – and doesn’t choose a cute little bunny, no, she goes straight for the lion.

Just one problem: it’s too high. Luckily, Grandpa is there. Reinhold lifts her onto the saddle with great finesse.

But as soon as she’s seated – the mood changes. “Grandpa! Go now!” The tone leaves no doubt.

The carousel starts to move – and Reinhold can no longer leave. He tries hiding behind a giraffe. Arya won’t have it: “Go away! Far away! I’m big now!”

What follows is a small play in several acts: quiet protest, then loud tears. Arya wants to ride the carousel alone – now, right now, and without an audience.

Her voice echoes across the square. We watch the drama from a bench – baby in arms, smiling quietly.

When the carousel finally stops, the tears are forgotten. “Grandpa! I need to get down!”

And just like that, he’s needed again – knight in shining armor, lion whisperer, and rescue team all in one.

 

Grilling with Drama: Arya vs. the Silverfish

Vanessa and Philippe invited us over for a barbecue today. The balcony, part of their apartment in the heart of Nice, is cozy with blooming bougainvillea and comfortable garden furniture. The electric tabletop grill is already happily smoking away when we arrive. Everything feels very relaxed.

French Riviera-style home cooking – with bougainvillea, pastis and a touch of silverfish.

Until Arya suddenly looks down at the carpet and lets out a hysterical scream, lifting her bare feet alternately so they don’t touch the ground.

Startled, I follow her lead – I think there’s a mouse under the balcony rug! But I can’t really see anything.

Vanessa stays completely calm, bends down, and picks up something invisible – and tosses it over the railing.

A silverfish.

Mon Dieu.

 

A Day at the Museum – With Chagall and Arya

Some Sundays start out harmless – with croissants, coffee and the comforting feeling that the day will drift by gently. Until, come afternoon, colour, imagination – and Chagall take centre stage. Today is one of those Sundays.

We’re headed to the Musée National Marc Chagall in Nice. But not for a typical museum visit.

Today is Family Day – made for kids, parents, grandparents. A day to watch, wonder and get your hands dirty with creativity.

Amid angels, ladders to the sky and flying violins, Arya is set to create her own world of pictures.

Art at eye level – who needs chairs when you can admire Chagall from the floor?

Chagall in Blue – or as Arya says:
“There’s a rooster dreaming!” (Or was it an angel with flowers?)

She’s four, a devoted Jesus-fan – with a remarkable eye for detail. The large-format Bible paintings, vividly explained by a museum guide, captivate her right away. We watch in awe – Arya is focused, curious, fully present.

Then it’s time to head down to the workshop in the museum basement.

Vanessa and Philippe (plus baby) kindly leave the field to us. Reinhold and I take over – slightly uncertain, but brave.

Each child receives a large sheet with the outline of their zodiac sign. Arya’s? Capricorn.

In front of us: tubs of glitter paper, googly eyes, pompoms – a full spectrum of artsy chaos.

“Would you like a sheet too?” they ask us.

We politely decline. Supporting Arya takes all our energy.

The task: create a mosaic within the zodiac outline – Chagall-style.

But Arya has her own vision. She decorates the rest of the page – carefully avoiding the Capricorn.

Grandpa explains. Patiently. Repeatedly. In vain.

We give up – and ask the instructor for help.

And guess what? Suddenly it works!

Arya is all in. Focused, determined, full of flair.

She especially loves the pompoms – she glues them all over her Capricorn, so much so that it ends up looking more like an airbag than a star sign.

The colourful bits on the side? “That’s a rainbow,” she proudly tells Mum and Dad later.

Officially a Capricorn. Unofficially: A rainbow with airbags.

Art makes you tired – or was it all the gluing?

A wonderful afternoon – at least for Arya. For us: joyful, sweet, slightly exhausting.

Reinhold and I now need a glass of rosé. Or two.

The next morning: one last dose of sunshine, one last visit to Parc Vigier.

A few final hours with family – between bougainvillea and a round of boules – before the suitcases start calling.

Tomorrow we fly back to Hamburg. But today, we say goodbye to the Côte d’Azur.

And then – just before we left – Arya danced along.
Zumba in the park. With strangers. With joy. Straight into our hearts.

 

More reflections from the series “The In-Between Life” can be found here.