Those who go on holiday to the Côte d’Azur have too much to do. And how about the new property owners who bought a second home in France? There’s so much to see! Even after 17 years of living in the South of France, we still discover new villages, markets, and nice restaurants. And to make a choice even more complicated, neighbouring Italy is very close, and you can drive directly to Ventimiglia in Italy from any train station between Cannes and Menton every day.
From Nice, you arrive for less than ten euros in another world full of pasta and the tastiest cappuccinos. Italy is a great country; maybe not to invest your savings in real estate, but to enjoy the atmosphere so different from the South of France. In particular, the weekly market in Ventimiglia is a market you must visit once. Do not go by car; the parking space is limited, it is busy, and it will not make you very happy.
The train to Ventimiglia is much easier and stops in the middle of the village. You walk from the station within 1 minute to your first fresh cappuccino of the day, after which your wallet bursts out laughing when you have to pay a little 1,5 euros. The prices are much lower for almost everything; many French people stock vegetables, wine, and cheese here weekly. A kilo of tomatoes for a euro and fresh courgettes for 1.25 kilos disappear with kilos simultaneously in French trunks. We resist the temptation to go on the train with bags of fruit and vegetables and stroll around the market.
The covered indoor market is open Monday through Saturday from 7 a.m. until 1 p.m. On Friday and Saturday, it reopens at 3 p.m. The outdoor market is open Fridays only—from 8 a.m. until 4.30 p.m./5 p.m.
The weekly market in Ventimiglia, Italy: limoncello, high heels, and homemade ravioli
There is no system on the outdoor market between the goods offered; everything is mixed up: leather bags, tablecloths, toys, and scarves predominate with the occasional stall where delicious fresh sausages or Parmesan cheese is provided. A fresh salami for 5 euros, yes, we can’t ignore that. We are also happy to take a bottle of limoncello for 8 euros. Eating is possibly even more important in Italy than in France; many stalls with kitchen utensils also exist. I was tempted to purchase a baking tin to make ravioli myself. The seller is an old Italian cook who explains with great emotion how to make the dough and what can be done in a ravioli as a filling. I can hardly wait to go into the kitchen later; I walk away hungry and look for Jo.
Meanwhile, Jo is standing at a stall selling jackets; her eye falls on a sort of cape with fur trim around the sleeves. Just before the woman wants to get it off the hook, Jo asks, “But, eh quanta costa?” “Three hundred and fifty euros, signora.” Oh, not everything is cheap on the market.
Fortunately, I see a few more ordinary stiletto heels for ten. I triumphantly hold them up, but Jo laughs at the heels, kisses me, and walks away on her flip-flops; it is almost noon and, therefore, time for lunch. Also nice. At the seaside, they serve a three-course menu for 15 euros. Pasta, meat, fish, pizza, you figure it out. The restaurant is packed, and the service is quick and friendly. Everyone is happy and there seems to be no economic crisis here, although you wonder how a restaurant with so many staff and such low prices can continue running. It will undoubtedly concern the well-known Italian white and black economy.
After lunch, we make a final lap along the sea, look at another handbag, feel once again on a thick duvet cover for 15 euros and then head back to the station. The TER train is already in for half an hour, so there is plenty of time to find a place by the window: we leave the station at 15.57. Via Menton, Roquebrune Cap Martin, Villefranche and Nice we enter the familiar Cote d’Azur again. Just a nice day trip to Italy if you are already on holiday in the South of France. Highly recommended.
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