Stretching along the Mediterranean coastline, these towns might seem similar at first glance, all boasting beautiful seaside vistas, captivating beaches, narrow cobblestone streets, elegant and colorful buildings, and ancient squares.
The main streets are lined with a variety of charming shops, and street performers often play the joyful music, cafés and bakeries along the roadside are always bustling with people.Antibes, with its vast seafront and expansive beaches, stands out even more. Its city walls are a historic defensive fortress, and what makes it even more delightful is that living prices here are considerably lower than in Nice, perhaps because it's not as widely known, so it doesn't draw hordes of tourists.
In the center square of Antibes, we savored an authentic Mediterranean lunch, we were so satisfied with it. Across the street, the market was just opening at noon time, it was showcasing a multitude of seafood, fruits, an array of cheeses, condiments, and countless local specialties that left one in awe.
If I were alone, I'd surely spend hours exploring this market.
Lauren, afraid I might get carried away at the market, walked over and said,
“Come with me, there's a surprise I want to show you. ”
Lauren led me to an ancient castle by the sea, “Look up”, he said , and there, on the castle walls, hung a large Picasso poster.
In such a small town, there's a Picasso Museum? It’s a big surprise!
And what a delightful surprise! It turns out that Picasso visited Antibes in the 1950s and was captivated by this little town, he turned the castle into his studio. He left behind a treasure trove of paintings, sculptures, handcrafted ceramics, and sketches.
Later, this place was transformed into an art museum, not only displaying Picasso's works but also exhibiting contemporary art by renowned artists.
I've always had an affinity for Picasso, not just because of his marvelous works, but also for his unconventional thinking and fearless innovation.
At the age of fourteen, Picasso had already surpassed most of his contemporaries in the art world. He could have comfortably led a prosperous life with the traditional way of paintings just relying on his talent, however, he chose to dedicate the rest of his life to pioneering a new style, breaking conventions, and pushing the boundaries of tradition, ultimately created Cubist art movement.
Though many people may still find it challenging to understand his Cubist works, it doesn't prevent them from challenging tradition and paving the way for the future.
Following tradition is safe and relatively easy, but forging a new path, being a unique voice, requires fearless adventurous spirit, which I truly admire, and also this is precisely why humanity continues to make progress in the long history.
Inside this ancient seaside castle, we admired Picasso's timeless works, at the same time we were also treated to the marvelous scenery of the Mediterranean sea outside of the castle windows.
The breathtaking beauty of nature and artistic masterpieces complemented each other, making Antibes a place for such an indulgent life experience!