So beautiful to read about La Promenade des Anglais. I still have mosaic fragments — broken pieces of painted sidewalk — that I picked up off the beach when I was living there in 1970, beige, white, blue, and terra cotta swirls painted on them in classical motifs. I remember being disappointed that the beach was so pebbly; I’d assumed it would be covered in luxurious white sand. After an hour or so of sunbathing, you’d get up from your towel and find your skin indented with pebble prints. The hotels along the promenade seemed so huge and forbidding, especially the Negresco, the most famous. I don’t know that I ever had the courage to step in. Never once did it occur to me to ask how the promenade evolved. I’m so glad you have!
kmazz 
So beautiful to read about La Promenade des Anglais. I still have mosaic fragments — broken pieces of painted sidewalk — that I picked up off the beach when I was living there in 1970, beige, white, blue, and terra cotta swirls painted on them in classical motifs. I remember being disappointed that the beach was so pebbly; I’d assumed it would be covered in luxurious white sand. After an hour or so of sunbathing, you’d get up from your towel and find your skin indented with pebble prints. The hotels along the promenade seemed so huge and forbidding, especially the Negresco, the most famous. I don’t know that I ever had the courage to step in. Never once did it occur to me to ask how the promenade evolved. I’m so glad you have!
I’m glad, Diane. I don’t know how anyone can lie down on those “galets” and walk on them with bare feet.
As always, your photos are astonishing! Thanks for sharing the promenade, Kathleen.