After a hard day of housekeeping, we decided a little escapade somewhere would be a nice way to spend the afternoon. We decided upon Vallauris, since that also gave us the opportunity to do a short walk. Vallauris is not one of the most touristy towns on the Cote d’Azur – it has neither the cosmopolitan feel of Cannes or Nice, nor as picturesque an old town as say Grasse or Antibes.
But we kind of liked it anyway – the old town is pleasant enough, and has a real, almost gritty feel to it (the ugly suburbs which surround the old town are doubtlessly gritty for real). And it doesn't feel very touristy - which counts for quite a lot in this part of the world. Vallauris has been made famous by its two honorary citizens – Pablo Picasso (who lived here between 1948 and 1955) and Jean Marais (who lived here from 1980 until his death in 1998). It’s also well-known for its pottery. I even had myself a small lesson in Provencal (see the picture – “cu manga ben caga ben” means “who eats well, shits well” – excuse my provencal ;-).
After our brief walk around the town centre we walked (which at times felt dangerous, what with all the crazy dogs barking at us from the posh villas) up to the Oppidum of Cardela, situated on a small hill just outside Vallauris. Apparently there was an old Roman town here, which is being excavated. Well, nothing much for the casual visitor except for a lot of loose stones, I’m afraid… On the way back we popped into the cemetery to check out Marais’ grave.
After a hard day of housekeeping, we decided a little escapade somewhere would be a nice way to spend the afternoon. We decided upon Vallauris, since that also gave us the opportunity to do a short walk. Vallauris is not one of the most touristy towns on the Cote d’Azur – it has neither the cosmopolitan feel of Cannes or Nice, nor as picturesque an old town as say Grasse or Antibes. 
But we kind of liked it anyway – the old town is pleasant enough, and has a real, almost gritty feel to it (the ugly suburbs which surround the old town are doubtlessly gritty for real). And it doesn't feel very touristy - which counts for quite a lot in this part of the world. Vallauris has been made famous by its two honorary citizens – Pablo Picasso (who lived here between 1948 and 1955) and Jean Marais (who lived here from 1980 until his death in 1998). It’s also well-known for its pottery. I even had myself a small lesson in Provencal (see the picture – “cu manga ben caga ben” means “who eats well, shits well” – excuse my provencal ;-). 
After our brief walk around the town centre we walked (which at times felt dangerous, what with all the crazy dogs barking at us from the posh villas) up to the Oppidum of Cardela, situated on a small hill just outside Vallauris. Apparently there was an old Roman town here, which is being excavated. Well, nothing much for the casual visitor except for a lot of loose stones, I’m afraid… On the way back we popped into the cemetery to check out Marais’ grave.
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