Picking up from Spotlight on France, The Country (Part 1), and then Spotlight on France, The Country (Part 2)…

Beyond the views of the Mediterranean, Antibes offers the most charming old downtown to explore. The shops are terrifically on trend, restaurants are a plenty, and really, what more is there?

On Saturday flea markets spring up in every town square, and the one found in Antibes was filled with special furniture, silver spoons and dainty teacups, jewelry, and more.

Also featured in town squares without the slightest hint of irony, or, “Hey guys, the carnival’s come to town!” are the most lovely carousels. Just look at that topper.

Then it was goodbye to Antibes and on to Cannes; Alfred Hitchcock’s To Catch A Thief has been a favorite of mine forever, and so a visit to the Carlton Hotel in Cannes was mandatory.

There I was, and suddenly there was Grace Kelly, too. “Please, come into the shot,” her lovely mouth said.

And I shrugged and was all, “Well, I’m here and all, and I don’t have any pimples right now and all, so why not?”

And then we sat on the terrace, under a yellow and white striped awning, Grace and me, just two ladies sharing coffee and gazing out at the sea of beach umbrellas and the sea. By and by Cary Grant appeared and bid us hello and abiento and it was lovely.

A final stop at Gourdon, a medieval village perched on the hillside.

The ride up is sort of terrifying and spectacular all at once, and the views from the top?

They’re not half bad.

And then, most sadly, the week was over. And all I had missed from America were toilet seats, and the generously refilled glasses of ice water.

Til next time, dear France.

And to my gracious hosts: merci, merci, merci.