Hallowe'en on the Côte d'Azur

I woke up on the 31st thinking about my teacher friends back in Canada.

It was a Monday.

And, it was Hallowe'en Day.

As I am writing this post, they are all just starting work 'the day after' with their groups of sleep-deprived and sugar laden students.  I continue to think of them.  As they say here in France;  "Bon courage."

Neither Barry nor I would say we were too remorseful about missing Hallowe'en this year, but we recognized that it's a tough day to miss out on as a Canadian youngster.  We started our day reminiscing with the girls about our Hallowe'en six years ago in Avignon.  Barry and I had thought the best way to create a bit of Hallowe'en spirit for our young daughters was to each go in a bedroom with a bag of candy so the girls could 'trick or treat' back and forth.  We tried very hard to make it interesting by putting our acting skills to the test and pretending to be different people every time they came back to our door.  However, we all sort of agreed.  It was a bit sad.

This October 31st, Lily was in a mood to just stay in bed and read, but we decided we should go out and see something new:  the city of Cannes.   On the walk to the train station, we were surprised to see some children dressed up and going into all the stores to ask for candy.  (French schools are closed for two weeks of holidays this time of the year!)  It actually felt a bit like Hallowe'en out and about in this French city.

Check out the amazing Hallowe'en display at 'our' Jean Luc Pelé Patisserie!

The Einstein Brains, I think, were my favourite.

This did not happen in Avignon.  We were totally unprepared.  Lily started thinking hard about a last minute costume.  She was wearing black and grey.  Maybe a cat? 

Eight minutes by train and we were in Cannes.  We arrived without any plans, but it was a beautiful day to just wander and explore on a whim.

A chocolate shop in Cannes with another great Hallowe'en display

This time, we did more than just window shop. 

Ladurée macaroons.  Lily was starting to think maybe this Hallowe'en wasn't a write off!

On the stairs of the Palais des Festivals et des Congrès, the main venue for the Cannes Film Festival that turns this city into a hot spot for film stars and buffs every May.  With our last minute travel plans, they hadn't had time to roll out the red carpet for us.  (Notez, bien!  Lily now has cat ears and a tail thanks to a good ol' Claires store that we happened upon.)

View from the Palais des Festivals et des Congrès

It was fun to check out the stars' hand prints on the Allée des Stars.  The girls were excited to find Meryl Streep's due to "Mama Mia" and "Into the Woods"...

...and, Angelina Jolie's known, to our girls, for her role in  "Malificent".

All trains to Antibes had been unexpectedly cancelled that afternoon.  A sunny bus ride took three times as long as the train to get us home, but luckily, still in enough time for Grace to make it to her dance class.

And for Lily to do a little trick or treating Southern France style.  Here, Lily has just picked up a candy from a bartender.

An enjoyable day, but certainly not a replacement for the fun back home.  Grace and Lily are already discussing plans to go big for Hallowe'en 2017.