Latest UpdatesCountries Why Join?IL MagazineFree Daily E-LetterVideoOur ExpertsTestimonialsFAQsTopics Tim Ward and his wife Teresa left their corporate careers sold everything and decided to become global travelers They became flâneurs — a French term for one who wanders without specific purpose provided we don’t stay more than three months at a time in any one nation The clock was running out in France, so we had to hop over a border somewhere… was half the price of similar places along the French coast (€382 euros for three nights) and then return to our regular French travel program We did not anticipate that we would be so utterly beguiled by Bordighera Learn more about Italy and other countries in our daily postcard e-letter Simply enter your email address below and we’ll send you a FREE report – Italy: Europe’s Most Seductive Country which is constructed in the high hills above the coast This literal highway consists of a series of tunnels through the mountains and elevated bridges over the gorges we flashed back and forth between darkness and dizzying heights While views of the town and beaches on the Riviera far below were spectacular I didn’t dare take my eyes from the road for more than a second Massive transport trucks filled the "slow" right lane in the left lane Porsches and BMWs zoomed along as if practicing for Monaco’s Formula One trials we heaved a mutual sigh of relief when we finally found the exit ramp for Bordighera passing pastel-colored villas precariously perched on the slopes stretched out as if squeezed between the steep hills and the waterfront completely shaded by great evergreen trees We found our little B&B just below the old town right on the shore which was the main reason Teresa booked it for us She’d also read reviews that said passing trains kept some guests awake at night It turned out the tracks ran right past our terrace so close that with a running start we might’ve been able to catch hold of a passing train But this was not the clackity-clackity-clack of an American train This was the swoosh of the high-speed TGV between Paris and Genova These trains were ghostly fast and mostly silent (even the more local ones) We discovered that there are really three towns in Bordighera: the ancient "high town," the downtown beach promenade and the old English "colony" filled with fancy old villas The high town is the ancient citadel: a cluster of tightly packed ancient stone homes upon a hill not far from our B&B We walked up that hill our first evening to explore The high town is filled with narrow streets and three-story row houses that let in just a sliver of sunlight simply because they’re too narrow for cars; the whole area was built long before anyone dreamed of an engine that could internally combust But I liked the creative flourishes that filled these old streets as if a "still life" had sprung to life We found old bicycles parked here and there on the streets They were decorated—spokes to handlebars—and transformed into whimsical works of art we found a café or restaurant—with each of the menus in four languages I found a brand-new flavor to savor: violet Our first morning we walked into town along the waterfront the way was just a rough trail running next to the train tracks We passed a marina and then a little waterfront chapel before coming to the proper promenade The promenade is accessible only by bridges underneath the rail line effectively separating the beach from the workaday business section of town This gives the promenade its own distinct identity We found it delightfully quiet as we strolled along—no traffic jams by the seashore just the occasional express train to intrude upon the crashing of the waves There were surprisingly few restaurants and cafés Only a handful of walkers sauntered along that morning The beach itself alternated between small gray stones and gray sand; certainly not the best on the Riviera They were here for the sun and fresh breezes—a cup of tea on the terrace and you’ll find that its costs—and those of surrounding Riviera towns—is 30%-50% less for food and lodging than on the French side of the Riviera border Sure, we could tell we were in Italy: The roads were a bit more run down Just inland from the promenade is where fancy villas and stately hotels spread out: a luxurious area of verdant parks and gardens filled with palms There’s even a "lawn tennis" club This is where you really experience Bordighera It turns out this little strip of the Ligurian coast and it was the first place date palms were cultivated in all of Europe one of the town’s claims to fame is that it provides palm fronds to the Vatican each spring for the Pope’s celebration of Palm Sunday We could easily see why the British loved it here Imagine coming from a sooty London winter to this paradisiacal place Many of the hotels and private apartment buildings had beautiful Art Nouveau and Art Deco flourishes that have been lovingly maintained or restored There’s a general creaminess about them all—as if they’re giant layer cakes The architecture gives the whole district an aura of relaxed elegance that Bordighera drew famous architects including Charles Garnier who designed the famous Paris opera house that bears his name told us that Garnier designed the most beautiful villa in Bordighera It was just five minutes up the road from us moorish arches added an exotic flavor to the villa and it became our landmark for finding our way home and that he operates it as a Catholic retreat center— a B&P (bed and prayer) The Impressionist master Claude Monet also came to Bordighera in 1884 to paint "Les Villas à Bordighera," hangs in the Beaux Arts Museum in Nice where I stumbled upon it by chance Next to the painting is a quotation from one of Monet’s letters about this and his other paintings of this pretty little place: "This will perhaps make the enemies of blue and pink cry out a little this fairylike light that I am striving to render and those who have not seen this county… will cry out that it is plausible even through I have fallen short of the mark." We were sad when it was time for us to drive back to France We were impressed how the town managed to keep its character intact even as it had welcomed tourists for so long It built a whole district for them—but did so with class and elegance that we have seldom seen in Riviera beach towns We promised ourselves we would come back to beguiling Bordighera again we’ll skip the Corniche and take the train The British upper classes were captivated by little Bordighera written by the Italian revolutionary Giovanni Ruffini The eponymous fictional doctor was from Bordighera and he fell in love with the daughter of a British aristocrat he was compelled to return home to fight for the unification of Italy — a cause for which he tragically dies at the end of the novel The author’s purpose in writing was to win the English to that noble cause and also to inspire them to visit his native coast and create a tourist boom and Menton were already drawing so many pallid northerners to the Riviera that the French side had become crowded and expensive dramatically (and the book was remade in several movie versions and it became the first Italian TV series) It was named Hotel d’Angleterre (England Hotel) As villas and hotels began to proliferate to accommodate the annual inglese invasion the little town became more and more popular and botanists for the biological diversity Here's why you should consider a trip to the small coastal town over its flashier neighbors Welcome to The Weekender Coveteur’s travel series where seasoned globetrotters share their insider guides to top destinations across the world The hidden gem is known for its striking blue water and slow pace of life—it sounded like the perfect summer holiday There aren’t any direct flights into Bordighera, and with longer-than-normal security lines, lost luggage, and sudden cancellations being a common theme when it comes to air travel this summer, I wanted to avoid any and all travel headaches. So, I flew into Nice with La Compagnie The boutique airline offers business class flights at affordable prices and they have a seasonal route into the French city I breezed through security and I even had time to finish off a plate of fries before boarding my flight I enjoyed a glass of champagne and applied a layer of the complimentary Caudalie lip balm before fully reclining my seat flat and falling into a deep slumber I took a bus from the airport to the city’s train station my friend picked me up on his Vespa and within a five-minute drive and where to eat in this hidden Italian gem I was lucky enough to be able to stay with my friend, but he recommended staying in a hotel (or an Airbnb, if that’s more your vibe) that is located in Bordighera Alta, the city’s old town, for a more authentic Italian experience. He’s heard great things about one place in particular—B&B La Terrazza di Bordighera the charming hotel is owned by locals and surrounded by countless shops and alfresco wine bars while also being within walking distance of the beach BOOK IT Me on a beach reading a book by one of my favorite authors—I couldn't be happier the fourth and final volume of the Neapolitan novels by Italian author Elena Ferrante Some of the clothing offerings at Twenty Cabane If you’re looking for a shop stocked with one-of-a-kind gifts to take back home, look no further than Twenty Cabane Deluxe Bazaar This store is situated alongside a cobblestone street in Bordighera Alta and it’s a real treasure trove dedicated to clothing stop by the store next door—they sell the most incredible olive oil Grab some gelato and take a stroll through the limoncello-buzzed crowds in Bordighera Alta right before sunset You don’t need to have a specific destination in mind—just see what catches your eye You’ll spot a view of glistening bays as you pass by the coffee shops and boutiques dotting the street Rocky beaches dot the coastline and one of the best is Maoma Beach Lay your towel down on one of the chaises at the beach club take a dip in the sea then rinse off in the outdoor shower There’s also a restaurant on the beach where you can order seafood and an Aperol spritz while enjoying the views below In the neighboring town of Ventimiglia, you’ll find the Villa Hanbury Botanical Gardens built by Sir Thomas Hanbury in the 19th century Starting from the highest point of the garden you’ll wind your way down and through the grounds be sure to grab some lunch from the restaurant on site you can ask the staff for a boat charter recommendation head over to the dock early in the morning to have breakfast before hopping on a boat to explore the French and Italian Rivieras Have your driver dock the boat near the coast of Monaco then swim over to the island to grab some gelato and relax on the beach The triple cheese pizza was my favorite item off the menu The margarita pizza is also worth ordering La Piazzetta sits near a church at the center of Old Town and dinner is served in the restaurant’s outdoor seating area giving you a nice breeze and a lovely view of the town square The wood fired pizza is the restaurant’s main draw—we ordered the margarita and triple cheese pies and the house white wine before finishing it off with a couple scoops of gelato Ristorante a Scibretta has a super authentic feel—it’s almost like you’re inside someone’s kitchen but the gnocchi and sautéed octopus are also worth writing home about Be sure to call ahead or stop by to make a reservation; walk-in tables are hard to come by The menu changes depending on what the fishermen catch that day It was the best part of the meal in my opinion offers freshly-caught seafood on the dock over the ocean The menu rotates depending on what’s caught that day The restaurant is open from Thursday to Sunday if you can; the line will be way shorter than it is during the rest of the weekend Your food tour through Bordighera isn’t complete until you grab some gelato. Work back up your appetite with a post-dinner walk through town, stop by Corte Cremeria and order two scoops of stracciatella in a cone Get Lost Along the Winding Streets of Naples, ItalyIsla Holbox Is the Perfect Mexico Beach Escape for Low-Key TravelersThe Weekender: A Guide to Maui, Hawaii A wonderful evening in celebration of a double anniversary: the 160th of the creation of the Italian Red Cross the Sovereign was warmly welcomed at the Palazzo del Parco by the local dignitaries including Valerio Massimo Romeo Prefect of Imperia Province and Vittorio Ingenito as well as red Cross officials: Rosario Maria Valastro The official ceremony began with the Monegasque and Italian anthems and that of the Red Cross The different dignitaries then took the floor The Sovereign then thanked the Italian institution and recalled the 32 years of collaboration between the Italian and Monegasque Red Cross organisations The two structures work together at many festive events but also to support each other in times of crisis and in response to the urgent needs of migrant populations with a concert by the Prince’s Carabinieri Orchestra €25.00Add to cart When you live in a grey world with clouds threatening to burst and rain drizzling more often than seems possible unless you are rich in which case you become very good at finding the very best spots to escape to If the British aristocracy excelled at anything in the 19th century it was this And Bordighera was one of their finds for Winter holidays — a sunny climate the Mediterranean gently lapping its shores colours to brighten anyone’s day — and depending on the season unrivalled displays of Bougainville orange and above all brilliant bursts of magenta And because of its micro-climate and its special light (from the hills above it seems blessed by a special aura) architects artists and painters flocked there too — among them Charles Garnier (Opera Monte-Carlo and Paris) Claude Monet who lived in Bordighera and painted numerous pictures of the town Fast forward to today and Bordighera is the same delightful seaside town on Italy’s Ligurian coast where the Alps plunge into the Mediterranean It sits peacefully on a lush promontory with panoramic views across the northern part of the Italian Riviera and to Monte-Carlo The popular resort of Sanremo is a few kilometres to the east of here A promising way to start your exploration of this jewel of a resort is to walk along the seafront which is one of the longer promenades in Liguria and is lined on one side by mature Mediterranean plants and trees And in winter twin a visit with Monte-Carlo for an enhanced cultural Stroll down Bordighera promenade and you will feel the magic It is the magic of authenticity — of a promenade that is quintessentially Italian but so special it has attracted painters like Monet European and Russian royalty and today Hello Monaco We have many of them even in late autumn and winter And you can feel that almost unique Italian family atmosphere of warmth and friendliness bubbling in anticipation of engaging anyone they meet to share their weekend joy “Am I in Buenos Aires..?” you ask yourself as you stroll past signs saying Lungamare Argentina This coastal wonder wears its beautiful disguise well You can imagine yourself singing “Don’t cry for me Argentina” as it was indeed Eva Peron who inaugurated the promenade in 1947 and named it Lungomare Argentina This promenade should not exist in such a pure unspoiled form It basks radiant against the pull of gravity of exotic Riviera development It is exotic but natural and relatively undeveloped — no high rises no rows of brand name boutiques — just natural beauty The promenade if not the eighth wonder of the world always delights What else is there here to charm my senses Let’s explore where those aristocratic adventurers first built their nests starting our short journey on foot in Corso Italia in the centre of the town and not far from the shoreline Corso Italia runs north to the places where the Grand Royal Palaces of the 19th century overlook the town And it is exactly where Corso Italia joins Via Romana that the origins of Bordighera as an aristocratic resort can best be seen Via Romana has that relaxed royal feel to it and is indeed a very pleasant road with shady trees and lots of turn of the century villas built as the Winter Residence for Queen Margherita of Savoy Pretty streets with palms and bougainville run off it with romantic names that evoke Queen Victoria and Shakespeare And now back from the tranquillity of the palaces on Via Romana to Corso Italia in the centre of town Corso Italia is both a pretty street and a more lively street festivities and occasionally themed markets It is a welcoming venue during the day for coffee tea and pastries (you have to try La Casa Del Caffee) and shopping and depending on the season the welcome continues at night The street is so popular it is often cordoned off and is a pedestrian paradise sometimes with music and diners reveling in their good fortune with the weather Last but by no means least for you to take in the best this gem of a town has to offer is Bordighera Alta You would be forgiven sometimes on the coast for getting about ancient architecture and medieval villages Take a car ride less than 5 minutes slow drive from the beach or the centre of town to the Bordighera of old — a rabbit warren of alleys and medieval arches and cupolas Park your car in front of the imposing fortress-style arched entrance to this maze and wait for a treat There are still residents there but the majority of the space is given over to piazzas and restaurants Many of the restaurants serve pizza and pasta and simple Ligurian fare There is seriously good dining to be had also One of the best is the Michelin guide’s restaurant Osteria Magiargé The food is excellent as are the prices for the quality And the wine — wow — you have the choice of the local red Rossesse And remember how close you are to Piemonte as you can go to heaven with a Barolo or Barbaresco Try also Antica Trattoria Garribaldi or fresh sushi at Novantiqua And if you are on Corso Italia in the centre try the lively Chez Louis and not far away in the centre is the delightful Café Monet For contrast go to the beach for delicious seafood at Amarea or Paloma 11 with its beautiful wine cellar It’s not just a remarkable coincidence that brought three great luminaries and visionaries to Bordighera creator and architect of the Monte-Carlo and Paris Operas to the region had been blocked due to the war with Prussia so he sought refuge at the hometown of his wife’s family (Louise Bary) in Menton in the south of France From there it didn’t take him long to find a taste of Italian paradise in Bordighera which then became his home for many years For Monet it was the incredible light combined with the unique landscapes be it incomparable Mediterranean plants and trees or seascapes or the architecture of the epoch and its historical legacy And Bordighera was a natural magnet for botanists with its micro-climate both Mediterranean and temperate — an allure that Ludwig Winter couldn’t resist Having added the treasured Opera and Salle Garnier as Belle Epoque marvels twinning with the Casino in Monte-Carlo Garnier was the ideal master to transform Bordighera Difficult to believe that he could have the energy in one lifetime to add jewels to Monte-Carlo Paris and Bordighera where his legacy extended to public Garnier liked to say about Bordighera: “… Is there something more distinctive It is probably because of this conviction that he decided to design a church typical of the mendicant orders of Palestine to finance personally and with the help of his mother Villa Bischoffsheim built between 1876–1879/80; now Villa Etelinda The villa was built in Bordighera on the Via Romana by Raphaël Bischoffsheim a banker of German origin who lived in Paris and who had met the architect Charles Garnier likely at concerts at the Paris Opera In 1873 Bischoffsheim commissioned Garnier to build him a villa in Bordighera Bischoffsheim stayed there for some time and received numerous prestigious guests including the future Queen Margaret of Savoy with her mother Elisabeth of Saxony Duchess of Genoa and also notably Louis Pasteur The villa was bought by Lord Claude Bowes-Lyon who changed its name to Villa Etelinda to honour the success obtained by his sister Mildred Marion Bowes-Lyon with her opera “Etelinda” the future Queen Mother of England Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon will come regularly each winter in Bordighera to spend the colder months in the area — something that knowledgeable Europeans continue to do to this day and you can too; it is within easy visiting range also of Monte-Carlo In 1914 the villa and the huge garden were sold to Queen Margaret of Savoy Where there are renowned architects building Villas fit for Royalty there also go great Botanists and Gardeners (Architectural gardeners) Not that Bordighera’s incredible microclimate needed regal villas to attract them One such famous botanist was Ludwig Winter a German nurseryman and landscape designer Creator of gardens such as the Hanbury Gardens he was admired for introducing tall palms and other foreign species to the Ligurian riviera and particularly for his masterpiece gardens in Bordighera including:  the Winter Gardens were reopened to the public His additional personal botanical gardens are now part of a private property located close to the Pallanca exotic gardens (via Madonna of the Ruota 28) From the road you can still see the famous pergola which is portrayed in various photos and postcards — images that contributed to the spread of Bordighera’s exotic fame throughout Europe — for Ludwig Winter it was his house They included the famous twelve palms of Madonna della Ruota celebrated by Scheffel in his poem of 1856 entitled “Near Death” and also painted by Hermann Nestel and Friederich von Kleudgen Winter also designed the gardens of Villa Garnier and of Villa Margherita Garden enthusiasts should plan a trip around Bordighera and also visit the Pallanca Gardens there which is the botanical garden with the largest variety of succulents in Italy — then enhance their trip with a visit to Monaco’s Japanese garden and Jardin Exotique and as a bonus take in the fabulous Villa and gardens of Ephrussy de Rothschild in Cap Ferrat built by Baroness Béatrice Ephrussi de Rothschild Monet could also not resist the Siren Call of Bordighera Monet and Auguste Renoir in 1883 were searching Bordighera for new and painted more than forty views of the area and between 24 January and 2 February 1884 he reportedly completed fourteen The shimmering golden pinks and blues seemed almost incredible Monet also searches for the southern light the harsh whites and bright light blues which unify the tamed elements of garden and town with the indomitable merging colours of sky and mountains to bring his famous talent to the business of promoting the snug exoticism of the Mediterranean for the sensory pleasures of our modern times You can organize customized guided tours themed on Charles Garnier Claude Monet or Ludwig Winter if you are a group of 6 or more Call the Bordighera tourist office well in advance at: +39 0184 262882 exotic gardens and a calm beach attracted British expats to Bordighera in the 1880s – and it’s just as enticing today The Guardian’s journalism is independent. We will earn a commission if you buy something through an affiliate link. Learn more. Leaving my wife and daughter under a parasol on Bordighera’s beach my teenage son and I set off in search of the largest Ficus macrophylla in western Europe The Guardian’s journalism is independent. We will earn a commission if you buy something through an affiliate link. Learn more. lover of Esperanto and chaplain of Bordighera’s Anglican church pine-covered coast between Sanremo and the French Riviera He abandoned the church and spent his time painting flowers cataloguing archaeological artefacts and taking rubbings of the prehistoric rock carvings in the maritime Alps View image in fullscreenOne of Bordighera’s huge Ficus macrophylla. Photograph: Riccardo Sala/AlamyEverything he did is now in the town’s Museo Bicknell including his vast collection of butterflies The museum also gives visitors a glimpse of Bordighera in the 1880s which at the time had a British population of more than 3,000 They founded Italy’s first lawn tennis club in the resort and created exotic gardens around their extravagant villas The museum’s facade is covered in a clenching twisting wisteria which overwhelms the building with drooping with aerial roots twisting down from its branches and a dainty palm tree growing up from between its buttress roots There’s another monstrous-looking ficus in the garden beyond lemons and aloe burst through the surrounding fences All roads lead into the same shady squares behind blanched walls with a few restaurant tables in the shadeWe walk along via Romana, past the art nouveau villa Regina Margherita (the same queen the pizza is named after) towards the medieval old town in search of a some water fountains and ravioli Arcades and narrow passageways keep the old town cool but there is no shade on Bordighera’s seafront promenade. Halfway along is a rust-coloured bandstand dedicated to Evita Perón who inaugurated the walkway – the Lungomare Argentina – during her visit in 1947 bike-hire agencies (it’s a flat ride to Sanremo eight miles away) and restaurants built on stilts over the beach plus an ice-cream in the shape of a hedgehog from a gelateria a few doors down and walk down on to the smooth pebbles with parasols up and loungers out but hardly anyone on them featured trips and local tips for your next break as well as the latest deals from Guardian Holidays My wife and daughter are watching over some bikes while their owners are in the sea Tiziana and Tommaso have been cycling the Riviera dei Fiori from Genoa to Ventimiglia San Lorenzo al Mare and then we saw some whales …” says Tiziana “But we love Bordighera because of the long promenade the beach is so calm and you can eat overlooking the sea.” Tommaso wants to come back on Thursday for the clothes market high up in a valley that inspired Claude Monet The British fled Bordighera at the outbreak of the second world war leaving a town bursting with citrus trees, exotic plants and botanical gardens. Cactus enthusiasts can head to the steep-sided Pallanca Exotic Garden on the coast road to Sanremo which has more than 3,000 varieties of cactus and succulents View image in fullscreenOld town of Bordighera. Photograph: blickwinkel/AlamyOn the eastern seafront, just beyond a small marina, is the Villa Garnier designed by French architect Charles Garnier in 1873 His terraced garden is open for visits and has a dragon tree rows of date palms and bird-of-paradise flowers and a single column from the Tuileries in Paris we walk back up through the old town to the Beodo palm grove via a mule track and tunnel and see the view Monet painted when he visited in 1884 Villa Garnier (doubles from €94) has guest rooms and apartments in the gardens. Bordighera is seven minutes by train from Ventimiglia: the station is just behind the beach on the Lungomare Argentina How to plan a trip to San Remo, Italy, on the Ligurian coast. Hotels: The Royal Grand Hotel San Remo, with rates that start from €600 in the high season. Beaches: Le Calandre, a local's-only spot with no beach club, just clear, turquoise water. Shopping: The Mall San Remo, in an open-air structure overlooking the water, with luxury Italian brands (at a good discount). Restaurants: The buzzy new restaurant Baccara Bistro Bello. Events: The San Remo Music Festival, held in February, and the Carnival of Flowers, every March. Serena Rinaldi - Studio SAB/Courtesy of The Mall Luxury Outlets The Italian American Heritage and Culture Committee and the Italian Program at York College invite you to a discussion with Sofia Pirandello about her second novel, Animals. In this captivating work, Sofia takes readers from Sicily to Northern Italy, exploring a scorching, drought-stricken landscape that conceals the untamed undercurrents of a violent world. Sofia will be signing copies of her book. Be sure to join us for this engaging event and treat yourself to a delicious, authentic espresso italiano! About the AuthorSofia Pirandello (Rome She is the author of the novels Candido Suicida and Bestie which were just published in English as Animals by Bordighera Press Bestie won the SIAE award "Per Chi Crea.” Sofia Pirandello is currently visiting American colleges and universities where she discusses her work and shares insights about her Italian experiences Download EventMeet the author savoring an Italian coffeeWhenWhereAC-4D02 Download EventThe Italian American Heritage and Culture Committee and the Italian Program at York College invite you to a discussion with Sofia Pirandello about her second novel, Animals. Consumer InformationDiversity and ComplianceEmploymentPublic Safety DirectoryAccessibilityWebsite© 2025 Claude Monet’s Strada Romana à Bordighera was painted in 1884 in the Italian town near the French border © Musée d’Orsay Pierre-Auguste Renoir invited his friend Claude Monet to join him on a trip to explore the Mediterranean coast from Genoa to Marseilles with a stopover in Roquebrune-Cap-Martin and Monaco For Monet it turned out to be the first of three painting campaigns on the Franco-Italian Riviera over the next five years and celebrates the 140th anniversary of that first trip Conceived in collaboration with the Musée Marmottan Monet in Paris it traces the 60-year arc of the artist’s career from 1860s landscapes around his native Le Havre to the 1920s water lily paintings in his Giverny garden with a special focus on his Riviera sorties it will bring together nearly 100 paintings including 44 from the Marmottan and others loaned by more than 30 private collections and museums in Europe Monet's Rocks on the Mediterranean Coast (1888) Columbus Museum of Art A 140th anniversary might not seem to call for a celebration on this scale But it suited both institutions says Marianne Mathieu the scientific director of the Marmottan and the show’s curator the principality’s main congress centre and cultural space needed a subject and material for this year’s iteration of its annual summer exhibition The Marmottan had the expertise and the contacts to complement its own collection but lacked the space for such an ambitious show “The anniversary makes sense as a reason for Monaco and the Forum’s very large space is a key element for the concept which is to shine a new analytical light on Monet’s work and practices,” Mathieu says Monet was dazzled by his first encounter with the rich Mediterranean vegetation says the Marmottan’s director Érik Desmazières the next month to the area between Monaco and Bordighera in Italy for a deeper immersion Monet’s Villas at Bordighera (1884) © Musée d’Orsay light and subject matter were not the only novelties in his Mediterranean work In his Riviera campaigns Monet started to paint multiple versions of the same scene or motif to capture the fleeting mutability of light within a stable formal composition Views of the Moreno botanical gardens in Bordighera or Dolceacqua’s hump-backed bridge can be seen as early examples of the signature practice seen in some of his later serial works such as his haystack Rouen Cathedral and Giverny water lily paintings The Monaco exhibition will approach Monet’s work through the prism of light • Monet in Full Light, Grimaldi Forum, Monaco, 8 July-3 September preview29 August 2024London calling—finally—for Claude Monet and his misty Thames landscapes The Courtauld Gallery is honouring the artist’s ambition to reunite his paintings in the city preview4 March 2024New dawn: the birth of Impressionism revisited 150 years later for Paris exhibitionMusée d’Orsay brings together works by Monet Degas and others first seen in a landmark 1874 exhibition preview4 April 2018Monet's urban obsession explored in major new London showNational Gallery exhibition, which includes Rouen cathedral paintings, reveals another side of French Impressionist Alexander Penn is a former curatorial research assistant in the department of painting and sculpture at the Denver Art Museum. Note: Claude Monet: The Truth of Nature opened in October 2019. March is typically the snowiest month of the year along Colorado’s Front Range, and I would be lying if I said I was not eagerly awaiting the warmer weather of summertime. In fact, as I recently trekked through snow and slush to the museum offices, I began to wonder how Claude Monet dealt with his own winter blues. His trips to Antibes, on the Côte d’Azur in the South of France, and to Bordighera, along the Italian Riviera, immediately came to mind. As December’s Monet blog post demonstrated, Monet was no stranger to cold and harsh conditions, but he did escape during the winter months of 1884 and 1888 to paint in the sun-drenched Mediterranean towns of Bordighera and Antibes. As we impatiently wait for winter to end, let’s seek solace—and perhaps a vicarious vacation—in a couple of Monet’s paintings from these locations. Monet had been to Bordighera one time before he returned during the winter of 1884 to paint. He first traveled there in late 1883, on a "tourist trip" with fellow painter Auguste Renoir. While he did not create any artworks on this first visit, upon his return home to Giverny, he wrote to his friend and dealer, Paul Durand-Ruel, about his trip and plans for immediate return—his time alone, and specifically without Renoir: Claude Monet, Villas at Bordighera, 1884. Private Collection Letter from Monet to Durand-Ruel, Giverny, 12 Jan 1884 Initially, Monet intended to return to Bordighera for only three weeks, but he ended up staying there for three months instead. Based on his renderings of the location’s beautiful surroundings, I cannot blame him for extending the visit. The bright blue skies and lush, sun-covered gardens depicted in these canvases provide comfort to anyone wishing to escape the winter cold. Claude Monet, The Fort of Antibes, 1888. Private Collection. You don't have permission to access the page you requested. What is this page?The website you are visiting is protected.For security reasons this page cannot be displayed. the iconic painting of London’s Waterloo Bridge “I removed the varnish that was on that painting about a year ago now,” said Pam Skiles varnish is replaced every few decades because it can yellow — but this time was different “We have a fair amount of documentation that indicates that [Monet] did not want his paintings to look varnished,” Skiles said “So when I took the varnish off ‘Waterloo Bridge,’ I did not replace it.” Monet’s art dealers often wanted to varnish the paintings so they looked finished The artist though turned his nose up at the glossiness of it Removing it not only respects Monet’s original artistic choice it also gives the art more brightness and dimension — you can better see the texture and colors: the pink The curator and conservation team work together to make decisions like this The museum said it’s routine for them to discuss and jointly decide on any kind of treatment to the artwork in the Denver Art Museum’s collection Waterloo is one of six Monets owned by the museum A number of other museums have also made the call to liberate their Monets from the glossy “What disturbed me was that yellow varnish had accumulated in the interstices of the brushwork,” conservator Ann Hoenigswald told the Washington Post in 2012 about removing the varnish on Monet’s “The Bridge at Argenteuil” at the National Gallery of Art in D.C “With the magnifying loupe and the microscope you see how thick the varnish layer was and how it altered the intention of the artist.” For “Waterloo Bridge,” Skiles used organic solvents and hand-rolled cotton swabs to bit-by-bit remove the varnish And since this is valuable and delicate artwork they test it first “to make sure that we know what's safe for the paint layer A conservation fellow with the Harvard Art Museum described in a 2017 video how challenging it can be to remove the varnish from a Monet painting because “he paints in a very textured way … sometimes the varnish was really hidden in the valleys of the paint.” This is something Pam Skiles can empathize with The impasto at the center of the “Waterloo Bridge” was particularly tricky The impasto is when an artist applies thick layers of paint on a canvas so thick that you can see the strokes from the artist’s paintbrush or painting knife The tool needed for that work was a microscope and patience “I just wanted to make sure that I was very careful in removing that,” she said it took her more than 15 hours to remove all of the varnish You want to know what is really going on these days We can help you keep up.  The Lookout is a free daily email newsletter with news and happenings from all over Colorado Sign up here and we will see you in the morning Colorado Postcards are snapshots of our colorful state in sound. They give brief insights into our people and places, our flora and fauna, and our past and present, from every corner of Colorado. Listen now. © 2025 Colorado Public Radio. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy ShareSaveCommentReal EstateForbes Global PropertiesVilla Along The Italian Riviera Offers A Wealth Of Sea ViewsByLauren Beale This Mediterranean villa for sale in Bordighera, Italy, is in a location fit for a queen. The specific queen who made her official winter residence along the sea here was Queen Margherita of Savoy. Tall in stature, highly educated and with an ability to turn on the charm, the naturally inquisitive blonde served as the Queen consort of Italy from 1878 until 1900. Legend has it that the Margherita pizza, which displays the Italian flag colors of white, red and green, was named to honor her during a visit to Naples. The coastal city, 12 miles from the border with France, is rich in historic buildings, churches and ... More gardens. “Bordighera is a quiet and relaxing city of the Riviera in Liguria, shares Jacopo Del Maestro, managing director of Building Heritage. “People [come to] enjoy the good restaurants and relaxing life of a beach town. The weather is sweet even in the wintertime, and Monte Carlo and France are just a 30-minute drive away.” An arched doorway opens to the circular entry. Set in the Riviera of Flowers, a villa in Bordighera is an ideal winter haunt with its mild climate. The coastal city, 12 miles from the border with France, is rich in historic buildings, churches and gardens. Large picture windows bring in natural light and park-like views Plaster walls and antique fixtures are among details of note. An arched door in the turret entry opens to the ground floor of the 650-square-meter villa, which retains much of its original detail and elegance. The living space features a functional fireplace and opens to outdoor dining and living areas. The kitchen has a doorway leading to the terrace. Herringbone tile floors carry over into the formal dining room, which features arch-topped built-ins and a large window. The nearby kitchen accesses the terrace, which takes in ocean and parkland views. The views are endless from the lower terrace. The primary bedroom suite and a storage room are also on this level. Spiral staircases lead to the upper floor with six bedrooms and four bathrooms featuring mosaic tile work. One of the bathrooms sits inside a second turret. There are six bedrooms and four bathrooms. The lower floor has a bar area that opens to the gardens and includes an independent apartment with a double bedroom, sitting room, kitchen and laundry. Mature trees provide a natural privacy screen. Accessed from the outside is a three-room apartment with kitchen and bathroom for a total of nine bedrooms and nine bathrooms throughout—enough space for a large family retreat. There’s also a garage and a greenhouse onsite. The property also includes a garage and a greenhouse. The villa could potentially be split into several apartments, adding investment potential, according to Del Maestro. The price is €2.75 million or about US $2.9 million which is priced at €2.75 million or about US $2.9 million Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article and attained the number one ranking on the men’s ATP (Association of Tennis Professionals) tour The following year he defended his title at the Australian Open Sinner continued to maintain that it had been an innocent mistake and fired two members of his staff Sinner’s first competition after the news about his positive blood test broke was the U.S While he continued to face questions from reporters about the doping case and he lost only two sets during the tournament en route to winning his second major of the year He was only the third male tennis player since 1968 to have his first two major wins occur in the same calendar year Several weeks after the tournament the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) announced that it had filed an appeal of the ITIA’s ruling in the Court of Arbitration for Sport and would seek a one-to-two year ban for Sinner Despite his doping case lingering in the news Sinner’s success continued at the 2025 Australian Open where he defeated Alexander Zverev in the final to win his third Grand Slam title In February Sinner and WADA reached a settlement He accepted a three-month suspension from competition and…his exposure to clostebol did not provide any performance-enhancing benefit and took place without his knowledge.” Emin has a warm welcome for everyone arriving at St Pancras station, as the National Gallery probes Monet’s mind and Linder Sterling roughs up Chatsworth House – all in your weekly dispatch “We seated the performers on the kind of wooden benches they would have been sitting on and gave them exact facsimiles of the racing cards and magazines they would have bought … This image captured the moment when the group gave way to the individual others try to reach out and make contact with others There’s the guy in the bottom left telling off-colour jokes Australian photographer Mike O’Meally has been chasing the great American dream Artists from Belarus and Russia created a clown festival for April Fools’ Day Iranian art is on show in London and selling fast The V&A may return looted Ethiopian treasures on long-term loan Photographing Istanbul by night can get you locked up Cristiano Ronaldo’s sculptor has had a second go Todd Webb was responsible for some pioneering documentary photography in 1950s sub-Saharan Africa Mexico City has a gay cruising scene on its underground network The Ashmolean in Oxford is brimful of little-known US modernist painters We have skateboarding to thank for a sensible South Bank renovation Junya Ishigami designs buildings that float Richard Burton’s childhood cinema is to be refurbished as a community hub Writer Laura Barton and photographer Sarah Lee walked down Santa Monica pier to explore the final US frontier Tate Liverpool’s chief art handler has taken over the gallery … and fine art is taking over Instagram To follow us on Twitter: @GdnArtandDesign ShareSaveLifestyleStyle & BeautyHoliday Gift Guide 2020: The Best Unisex FragrancesByTanya Akim Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights 03:27pm ESTShareSaveThis article is more than 4 years old Assigned-gender fragrances are starting to feel like last month’s milk — sour Long-gone are the days of female-only florals and musks-for-men In most countries — especially France — fragrance creation is treated as a high art bears witness to its layered qualities throughout the process of oxidation While a fragrance can have a top note of lavender it will open up to a muskier scent like Cashmeran Wood Gender fluidity and non-binary assignments are not only prevalent in celebrity culture and streetwear When shopping for the fragrance enthusiast in your life try any of the following award-winning unisex scents Krigler Villa Bordighera 20 No one deserves the title of “fragrance-expert” unless there is a bottle of Krigler on their countertop Maison Krigler is one of the oldest perfume houses privately held by the same founding family since 1904 Originally commissioned in 1920 by famed Italian playwright Guissepe Adami Villa Bordighera 20 was created by Albert Krigler to invoke memories of Adami’s favorite vacation place Villa Bordighera 20 has all the notes of a Ligurian vacation: lemon Maison Francis Kurkdjian Baccarat 540 Francis Kurkdjian is practically synonymous with luxury fragrance The nose behind the world’s most famous fragrances created a best-selling collaboration with Baccarat in 2015 Tom Ford Ombre Leather This warm and spicy fragrance is the epitome of luxury leather the layers of this keep opening up impressively there’s no excessive powder or lingering florals leather jacket and a motorcycle ride up the PCH Bond No. 9 My New York One of the newest additions to the legendary New York City perfumer and My New York is another fragrance of the highest order the latest in the award-winning line has notes of ginger Byredo Sellier One of Byredo’s three “Night Veils” collection Sellier is a delicious leather and Cashmeran Wood Horse-lovers and equestrians will recognize the name denotes a riding saddle this creamy leather will evoke feelings of a warm stable Escentric Molecules Molecule 01 Molecule is a unique-smelling fragrance on its own and when its layered with any other this stand-out brand’s hero product takes on the body chemistry of each individual wearer Be warned: strangers may begin approaching in droves Comme des Garçons x Monocle Scent One: Hinoki Named after the hinoki cypress tree of Japan, the CdG x Monocle collaboration is perfect. The strong pine-based incense top notes are executed in a way that’s clean and and impossibly fresh. Think of a morning walk through a meditative, pine forest — this is as good as it gets. Notifications can be managed in browser preferences. Town's mayor says punishing beggars is impossible because they 'can't or will never be able to pay' I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Giving money to beggars may generally be considered an act of kindness — but in the Italian town of Bordighera, it is now supposed to be an offense punishable with a fine. The town's mayor, Giacomo Pallanca, made the decision in response to complaints about homeless men and women begging for money, according to Italian newspaper Il Secolo XIX and the news site the Local. Pallanca defended the policy in an interview, arguing that punishing beggars was impossible because they “can't or will never be able to pay.” “Since real organisations are often behind this phenomenon, we must eradicate it by discouraging those who offer money,” Pallanca was quoted as saying. Italy, just like most European countries, has an extensive welfare system that allows homeless citizens to apply for social housing or unemployment benefits. That is why some countries, such as the United Kingdom, have made it illegal to beg for money. Italy has no such restriction, which has raised questions over the Bordighera rule's compliance with national law. Supporters of anti-begging initiatives point out that begging is a profitable source of income for organised crime groups. Child beggars suffer most, as they are “denied an education, they'll have nutrition issues, health issues,” Christine Beddoe, the U.K. director of an initiative called End Child Prostitution, Child Pornography and Trafficking, told the BBC in 2011. “They'll also grow up believing that this is the only way, or the normal way, of earning a living,” she said. Similar arguments have been made in Italy in support of the new rule in Bordighera. Speaking to the Local, Steve Barnes, who heads a charity for homeless Italians, said, “A move like this also eliminates the risk of supporting organised street crime.“ Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies Things you buy through our links may earn Vox Media a commission Villa Bordighera 20 was brewed in a laboratory in the basement of the Plaza Hotel While Villa Bordighera 20 distinctly smells of a dream vacation it could just as easily be worn while trekking through the city in the summer Along with the rerelease, Krigler added a new scent to its soap line. The 1919 English Promenade 19 scent is a feminine and glamorous scent, which is fitting considering it was Hepburn’s favorite The brand decided to fashion the fragrance into a soft orange-hued soap that smells of orange blossom understated scent behind that won’t compete with other lotions or fragrances you decide to layer with The limited rerelease will only include a few hundred bottles of the classic fragrance and will be available in April. The English promenade 19 soap is available now Password must be at least 8 characters and contain: you’ll receive occasional updates and offers from New York a professed priest of the Order of Friars Minor and the heroic virtues of the Servant of God a professed laybrother of the Order of Friars Minor born in Ampuyenta on the island of Fuerteventura (Canary Islands) and died in Santiago de Chile on January 14th An unusual sculpture garden is purposefully overgrown with plants and foliage Artist Marcello Cammi has created an outdoor sculpture garden to the delight of locals and visitors alike The sculpture is little-known outside of Bordighera but word-of-mouth does wonders once someone is in the town proper Update as of September 2019: The garden is no longer viewable as it was destroyed by a flood A 1950s eccentric's vision of Eden preserved as a hiking trail deep in the wilds of the Cleveland suburbs Lombardy poplars planted to imitate the size and shape of the Cathedral of Notre-Dame de Reims Renaissance villa and gardens complete with a tormented colossus Flower Riviera Palms Riviera Genoa and surroundings Portofino and the Tigullio The Cinque Terre Gulf of Poets and mild climate: that’s why many champions come to play tennis in the Ligurian Riviera Bordighera Tennis Club is the oldest tennis club in Italy It was founded in 1878 under the name Bordighera Lawn Tennis Club in friendly competition with the English Committee chaired by the Bishop of London and Gibraltar Winner of historic matches against clubs in Monte Carlo and France and Vido on its courts in the years before the Second World War thanks to collaboration with the furniture company Nada & Billour a particular type of wooden racket famous worldwide was born which remained on the market until the late 1980s Many modern tennis stars have passed through here: from Adriano Panatta to Corrado Barazzutti to Paolo Bertolucci The Tennis Club Ospedaletti was founded in 1962 with the A.I.M.A.T which also saw the participation of former Davis Cup players confirming itself as one of the most important clubs in the Ligurian Riviera thanks to the influx of holidaymakers and tourists who found perfect weather conditions for playing tennis at Pian D’Aschè in Ospedaletti The Circolo Amatori Tennis Armesi di Arma di Taggia with its clay courts and new synthetic grass court by the sea It became well-known in the 1960s for attracting famous personalities from industry and entertainment who vacationed in Arma di Taggia while its courts also appear in some stories by Tommaso Landolfi the club is primarily known for nurturing the tennis career of Fabio Fognini a professional tennis player who became the first Italian after Adriano Panatta and Corrado Barazzutti to rank among the top 20 players in the world for two consecutive seasons the Tennis Club Solaro Sanremo has left its mark on the history of tennis in Italy and Liguria the Davis Cup matches between Italy and South Korea and later the European Under-14 Championships in 1996 with several clay and synthetic grass courts on the hills of Sanremo it hosts a thriving tennis school and a season of tournaments and matches across various categories Stai già fantasticando su un viaggio in Liguria?Trasforma la tua fantasia in realtà e pianifica la tua prossima vacanza Are you already fantasising about a trip to Liguria?Turn your dream into reality and plan your next holiday Are you already fantasising about a trip to Liguria Turn your dream into reality and plan your next holiday Stai già fantasticando su un viaggio in Liguria Trasforma la tua fantasia in realtà e pianifica la tua prossima vacanza Dichiarazione di accessibilità Accessibility statement Amministrazione trasparente fino al 28.02.2025 Transparent administration until 28.02.2025 Amministrazione trasparente dal 01.03.2025 Transparent administration from 01.03.2025 PagoPA where visitors can admire olive trees painted by Monet are at risk of being sold off to developers after the owner amassed debts of more than €1m Villa Mariani in Bordighera was built by the Italian painter Pompeo Mariani in 1909 complete with a huge artist's studio with views over the Mediterranean when the area was a popular destination for British aristocrats The villa was built in a garden laid out years earlier which was nicknamed Eden after an Italian oil exporter planted exotic flora from around the world. Visiting in 1884, Claude Monet painted olive trees and sea views writing that a "garden like that cannot be described all the plants of the world grow there as if nobody ever took care of them" The property was purchased and opened to the public in 1998 by the Italian art expert Carlo Bagnasco but after he built up debts of €1.2m (£1m) restoring the site a court this month threatened to sell the house to the highest bidder "I have previously had offers for €20m from Russians so I believe they would return for an auction," said Bagnasco adding that he had now struck a last minute deal with the banks to pay off the debt within 18 months and would sell off works by Mariani "The court valued the olive trees at €500,000 thanks to the Monet connection and saw that income from tourism would also help pay the debt," he said But the danger of losing the house is not over "Developers want to turn the villa into flats and I believe whoever wanted to get their hands on it was able to damage my credit worthiness with the banks – and they won't give up." will still be able to follow in the footsteps of the actor Charlie Chaplin the composer Giacomo Puccini and the American tycoon Andrew Carnegie all of whom have visited the villa and its grounds Bordighera became popular with Britons in the 1860s after the success of the novel Doctor Antonio in the UK The book tells of a British woman who falls in love with an Italian doctor in the town "Villa Mariani is one of a group of villas and gardens that make Liguria famous and the Monet connection gives it special importance," said a regional culture assessor "We are unhappy with the idea it could be sold and we certainly don't have money to buy it ourselves." Great success for the Claude Monet Return to the Riviera exhibition set up at Villa Regina Margherita in Bordighera and at the Doria Castle in Dolceacqua: 36,764 visitors were recorded over the course of three and a half months since its opening on April 30 the exhibition was extended until August 18 4310 visitors).All visitors were enchanted in front of the three wonderful paintings made by Monet during his trip to the Riviera.The more than 36,000 visitors (including 70% Italians and 30% foreigners) did not want to miss the opportunity to admire Monet’s wonderful paintings Le Château de Dolceacqua and Vallée de Sasso on loan from the Musèe Marmottan Monet in Paris from the Private Collection of HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco Residents of the two towns also responded to the event purchasing the Monet Card reserved for them for a total of 1018 cards (722 in Bordighera and 296 in Dolceacqua) Accommodations participated with ticket packages for their guests: a total of 29 packages purchased amounting to 2150 tickets (19 sold in Bordighera visitors greatly appreciated the entire exhibition: the picture gallery from the Bordighera Civic Collection period clothing from the Daphné Museum in San Remo and virtual reconstructions recounting the artist’s experience during his stay There were good requests for guided tours in Italian and language both in the exhibition and for the special guided tours The Places of Claude Monet rewards the collaboration between public and private institutions The exhibition was organized by the Istituzione Mu.MA - Museums of the Sea and Migration of Genoa Promoted by the municipalities of Bordighera and Dolceacqua with the support of the Region of Liguria and under the patronage of the French Embassy in Italy here are all the unmissable occasions in 2024 Liguria will amaze you even at Christmas: during the festive season in its villages, you’ll find a thousand nativity scenes (here’s a handy Pocket Guide to the Nativity Scenes of Liguria) And let’s not forget the unmissable charm of the winter sea Don’t miss the Festival of Lights in Piazza de Ferrari in Genoa on Sunday and Christmas songs to the heart of the city there’s also a unique series of concerts to make your Christmas musical Here are the most important events lighting up the festive season from west to east Liguria: Do you love the feeling of thrill and the sea From the beginning of his career in the mid-1860s to the exhibition of his Venice paintings in 1912,” says Richard Thomson ‘Monet & Architecture’ in London’s National Gallery Thomson has studied Claude Monet’s work for years His careful curation of over 70 masterpieces—including the famous Rouen Cathedral series; The Gare St-Lazare; and even those of less famous structures such as a small customs officer’s cottage in Normandy—highlight the significant contribution architecture made to his central practice as a landscape painter the built environment is surrounded by or integrated with the natural one,” he says his architectural paintings are not very different from his nature studies and how it played out on different surfaces—whether they were natural or architectural or whether he painted them on a sunny or foggy day His most famous works set in London feature the Houses of Parliament London would not be beautiful,” the artist once said His return to the once-foggy city comes after a hiatus of almost 20 long years; the last major Monet exhibition was at the Royal Academy of Arts in 1999 when the gallery was forced to keep its doors open round the clock “The theme is surprising—and innovative,” says Thomson Claude Monet has never been approached this way before ‘Monet & Architecture’ will be on from 9 April to 29 July at the National Gallery Japanese Artist Yayoi Kusama’s Infinity Mirrors Reflect the Distance Between the Personal and the Universal The Good Friday Story Revealed in Stunning Photos of a Fresco Inside an Italian Monastery Experience the 21 Avatars of Goddess Tara Through These Exquisite Thangka Paintings GQ India | VOGUE India | Condé Nast Traveller India The Local Europe ABVästmannagatan 43113 25 StockholmSweden Please log in here to leave a comment