By Grace Stecher
On Friday, April 10th, Syracuse Florence students traveled to the south of France for a weekend filled with culture, history, and relaxation. After spending the morning on the bus, students stretched their legs in the quaint village of Mougins, France. Best known as the town where Pablo Picasso spent the last 12 years of his life, Mougins was a haven for 20th-century intellectuals and artists like Jean Cocteau, Coco Chanel, Paul Eluard, and Christian Dior.
Students explored the town’s winding streets on their own before meeting back up as a group to enjoy some delicious local gelato and visit the FAMM (Femmes Artistes Musée Mougins). Founded in 2024 by Christian Levett, the FAMM is one of just a few institutions in the world dedicated entirely to female artists.
Students split into groups and were guided through the museum by FAMM docents. Highlights of the tour included Frida Kahlo’s painted orthopedic corset and Impressionist paintings by Blanche Hoschedé-Monet, Claude Monet’s stepdaughter. After a few hours in Mougins, students hopped back on the bus and headed to Nice, France.
The next morning, the group enjoyed a walking tour of Nice. Strolling along the Promenade des Anglais, or “Walkway of the English,” students enjoyed breathtaking views of the ocean as they learned about Nice’s history as a winter getaway for the English aristocracy. After stopping for pictures in front of the iconic “I Love Nice” sign, the tour continued in the Old Town, the part of the city known for its colorful buildings, narrow streets, and artisanal shopping.
Students walked through the Cours Saleya Market, where vendors sell fresh produce, Niçoise soaps, and flowers six days a week. The guided tour ended here, giving students time to stock up on souvenirs before enjoying a group lunch at Restaurant Le Pois Chiche.
After lunch, students had free time to explore Nice and its surrounding towns at their own pace. Many took a 30-minute train to nearby Monaco, where they visited the iconic Monte Carlo Casino and walked along the famous Monaco Grand Prix circuit. Others soaked up the sun on Nice’s iconic pebble beaches or wandered through the town’s local boutiques.
The next morning, students boarded the bus and headed back to Florence, making a stop along the way in Viareggio to enjoy a traditional Tuscan lunch of cured meats and pasta at Trattoria Il Fiaschetto. It was the perfect way to wrap up a weekend of unforgettable memories along the French Riviera.