SCRIPT

The Riviera. The Cote d'Azur. A Kingdom of blue, known to the whole world as a veritable ‘Paradise on Earth’. A kingship of blue which will remain forever.

Over the ever changing blue waters to Cannes.

Over the blue Mediterranean, Tunis.

Famous only since the last quarter of the 19th century, The azure south of France today holds an unchallenged mastery in the Old World and Cannes, center piece of a jewelled crown, is the most opulent of all.

The British Royal Marines are here on a visit and beat retreat in their own magnificent way, in a brilliant setting matched only by the brilliance of their own performance.

The coastline is studded with bays and coves, some with sun-baked, pebbly beaches, others with soft golden sands.

Antibes has merged with Juan-les-Pins, and behind them are the ever present mountains of the Alpes-Maritimes.

The capital of the Department of the Alpes-Maritimes is Nice, backed by a crescent of hills behind which rise the impressive mountains which are ‘beyond the Riviera’, and to which we shall shortly make our way.

Flowers are in profusion. The markets are a kaleidoscope of colour. No selling may be done until a bell chimes the hour of two in the afternoon.

Houses rise in tiers on the flanks of wooded heights and the attractive town of Villefranche. Just one of thousands is Cap Estel. Lunch under the trees is the order of the day. Dinner under the moon is the order of the night. The not so famous sit side by side with the famous.

The appeal of swimming pools in dream like settings is irresistible.

The Riviera seaboard is indented with harbours large and small. This is Beaulieu.

A magnificent view of Monte Carlo and Monaco, once the playground of the very wealthy. From Montaigne to Marseille, the coastline today is thronged with people from all walks of life and nationality.

We look down from the mountain roads of the Grand Corniche and the Moyenne Corniche to the Corniche and Ferriere, the roads that lead to ‘Behind the Riviera’. But before leaving the coast, let's look in on some of the enchanting harbours. Monte Carlo.

The harbour at Villefranche. Where you can roll your own boat, or drive your own boat, or sail your own barge. Nice harbour where steamers leave for Corsica. Antibes, with a harbour made for messing about in boats.

And the daddy of them all, the harbour at Cannes, with the yachts of Kings and Princes and clubs from all corners of the world.

With flags and pennants fluttering in the scent laden breezes against skies of the deepest blue, here the call of the sea is strong.

And for a good vantage point, what better than the top of a mast?

Cannes is the Mecca to which all ships come. Famous for its regattas, a centenary of yacht racing is being celebrated.

Here, The Prince of Wales, the future British King Edward VII, raced his yacht Britannia in 1896. Today, vessels from France, Italy, Spain, Great Britain and Germany take part in the commemoration of 100 years of seamanship. The courses range from 260 to 2800 miles, from Bermuda to Lisbon, Cannes to Barcelona, Cannes to Naples and many, many more. A sport spectacular and scintillating to watch, exciting and exhilarating to take part in.

It's bon voyage, and may they reach the end of the line safely.

Out in the Mediterranean, three quarters of a mile off the coast, lie the Isla de Leon. The history of the islands is lost in the mists of antiquity. It was from this monastery St Patrick is said to have gone to Ireland.

Members of the Provencal Academy recapture the dress and dances of years gone by. What a colourful picture they make amongst the trees, under the vast blue dome of the sky, in the golden sunshine, against the backdrop of the tideless Mediterranean Sea.

Beaulieu is a pleasant little port surrounded by villas and luxurious gardens. Behind Beaulieu can be seen the rock face. Wherever you go, a glance behind will always remind you of the ever-present Alps.

Beyond the Riviera, mountain roads link village to village. At every turn, new vistas, at every turn a new thrill.

On the slopes of the mountains stands the ancient village fortress of Roquebrune, with its fascinating tangle of stepped, narrow lanes.

Here can be found a worker in wood from the olive tree and an appreciative audience. The grain in the wood enhances the final product. Above is a castle which was the centre of a 10th century system of fortifications. On the Grand Corniche, the highest of the mountain roads, stands the Roman memorial and a church tower at La Turbie.

Exotic gardens are to be found, and one can wander in wonder at the strange shaped plants and fantastic collection of cacti.

There’s intense terraced cultivation of the land. Oranges, tomatoes, pumpkins, bananas and grapes flourish in the semi-tropical sunlight under ideal conditions.

The cultivation of flowers and of olives are two more industries upon which the French agriculturalists depend. Whether blooms are grown in the open or under glass, a magnificent all the year-round display is virtually assured.

Flowers are grown also for perfume making. Grasse, a popular winter resort high in the mountains, is prominent in the purveying of perfumery. One is almost tempted to say it's heaven scent.

Henri Matisse designed this poster for Nice, Jean Gabriel Domergue executed this one for Monte Carlo. The clarity of light and the resultant effect on natural colours makes this part of the world a much sought after haven for artists. Here is Domergue in his studio.

He designed this house and gardens, an example of good taste and planning. Trees from many countries, flowers of every shape and colour. And of course, the inevitable swimming pool. Domergue will leave his mark in the world of art.

Author, playwright, film director, Member of the Academie Francaise, Jean Cocteau also lives beyond the Riviera.

Ceramics by Marc Chagall, another name to conjure with. High up in the Alpes-Maritimes, Chagall paints and designs his pottery.

The village of Vallauris boasts of its connection with Picasso, who is a legend in his own lifetime. Here are typical examples of his work.

The castle designs are copied from originals. Though very few are made of this ceramic factory, all are much in demand. Here is the work of a pottery of Vallauris.

On a hill near Valbonne stands the Museum of Fernand Léger, sculptor and artist. In the grounds an original piece of his own particular art.

At Valbonne too, is the magnificent club, which speaks for itself. Our camera has done full justice to its delights.

It's service with a smile for international professional tennis stars Olmeda, Segura, Cooper and Gimeno, who are found practicing on the courts.

In the ancient, picturesque village of Saint-Paull. Lena Horne and friends play bowls under the trees in the square.

Saint-Paul is a picture postcard place, and just to be there with nothing whatever to do seems to have a tonic effect. Peace, tranquillity and food for thought are in abundance.

In abundance, too, is food for the inner man. La Colombe d’Or is a famous mountain restaurant retreat. Doves flutter around the courtyard whilst patrons enjoy the local cuisine.

Others seek the solace of a swim in the cool waters of the pool.

Some like to eat in the style of the country, and to satisfy their desire Pizza, pastry filled with savories and cheese, is eaten hot or cold. When further supplies are in demand, they are always to hand.

It's an almost too beautiful country. Its mountains rise by gentle slopes, grow in spaciousness, eventually becoming the massiveness of the Alps themselves.

On the way to Valberg, amid the mountains, water courses appear as shining furrows.

A town perched precipitously, so it would seem, on a mountain top. Gorges rise up in majestic splendour.

Amid nature unspoiled, a lone fisherman tries his luck in a mountain river.

This part of the Great Alps is a wonderland of mountain peaks, deep gorges, vividly coloured cliffs, rivers, waterfalls, forests and vast fertile valleys. Combinations of nature which constantly delight the eye and make you marvel at her work.

At almost 5000ft above sea level is Valberg itself, a winter sports resort appreciated by many in the summer.

Each day the sun casts its brilliant rays. In the Mediterranean are many moods. This is the blue South, the Riviera, and beyond.

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The End

A Harold Baim Film Production