Port Frejus: seaside Roman ruins in France

A largely European invention, 3-4 week 'long stays' escapes in France, Greece, Malta, Portugal and Spain, are popular with budget-minded travellers. It was as I was searching long stays apartments in the French Riviera for a client that I stumbled across Fort Frejus. Its seaside location and Roman ruins caught my eye, and I was called to learn more.

Fréjus (Occitan: Frejús, French pronunciation: ​[fʁe.ʒys]) is a commune in the Var department in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region in southeastern France. It neighbours Saint-Raphaël, effectively forming one town.

The many ruins around Frejus make one curious about how the town came to be.

The origins of Frejus probably lie with the Celto-Ligurian people who settled around the natural harbour of Aegytna. The remains of a defensive wall are still visible on Mont Auriasque and Cap Capelin.

The Phocaeans of Marseille later established an outpost on the site.

Julius Caesar founded the city as 'Forum Julii' meaning... [read more on my cruisetravelbug blog].

La Tête au Carré: Nice's FAB "Square Head"

OK, I have fallen in love with a building:

Image source: @olivier_m

This FANTASTIC building is located in Nice, France and it houses a library.

Rather, I thought it housed the public library, but I think it might just be the library administration buildings. That's ok, though it dents my fantasies a bit (just think about it, reading a book in the nose, wandering into the frontal lobe section, eavesdropping in the ear....).

I had really wanted to visit this area of France in 2009 (there are Picasso museums in the area!) but it just didn't work out. But now, it's biting at my fancy again, and I'm dreaming of future travel again. For me, that's two things: one is just a future trip to France, the other is a possible mission to visit fabulous library buildings around the world.... interesting premise...

Anyways the "Square Head" in Nice is the vision of local sculptor Sacha Sonso. It is actually called La Tête au Carré, which means "Thinking inside the box". How delightful! I just adore it.

If you are as fascinated as me, you might be interested in:

• "Square Head" Building by Sosno (Nice) - a bit on the history
• Wikipedia entry on Sacha Sonso - the sculptor who envisioned the head
  
• Sacha Sonso's website - he was new to me, but I love his truly fantastic works!!!!
• The architect was Yves Carrard
  
• Tête au Carré (the “blockhead building”) in Nice - musings and photos by a former physicist who was taken by the the building when in Nice for a conference
  
• Carol Ann Photos - fab pics of the building by a professional photographer
  

On the thought of fabulous library buildings in the world, here's one link I found so far: 8 Amazing Libraries (and One That’s Horrible).

This will be a fun "journey", even if it is just virtual travel for the forseable future...