Carqueiranne, difficult to say and similarly difficult to get to by road. The railway has long gone so it’s a bash down through suburbia from Toulon. But the ride on the old N8 over le Mont Sainte-Baume was a fine compensation, its banked curves giving plenty of sportsbike rider interest.
My visit was inspired by reading that the writers and lovers Raymond Radiguet (1903-23) and Jean Cocteau (1889-1963) enjoyed a fling here in 1920-21. A complicated liaison, intertwined with publications and performances in Paris. The presumed simplicity of the Mediterranean fishermen of the 1920s is replaced on the quays of 2024 by the similarly presumptive sophistication of millionaires’ motorboats.
I found Carqueiranne to be special nice so it was hard to turn round and ride back. So thanks guys for the inspiration.
But there was a car in the bike parking when I returned. I pointed out the car to the local police and, quickly and efficiently, they gave the car a ticket. Even better, the driver returned so I saw his reaction. Having done my good deed for the day as a biker, I enjoyed my ride back that much more.
Superb ride back. Warm enough, dry road and other bikers to play with on the old N8.
Back in Marseille and honoured to be testing the Christmas menu at a favourite restaurant. Pate de foie gras and then wild king prawns, meaty and full of flavour, only available for the Christmas season. Finally a glass of champagne from a small producer, aromatic and not over-dry.
A fine day, my last ride of 2024.
