Nice and Monaco Outreach September 2023
- Faith Fire
- Aug 20, 2024
- 8 min read
Updated: Aug 21, 2024
In September 2023 we went on a second Evangelism outreach trip, this time to Nice, France. As per the taster blog, France is a sizeable country with approximately 68 million inhabitants. France's weather is generally good in the summer and progressively hotter the further South you go. It's a country full of lovely scenery, cities, quaint little towns and in places breath taking vistas. The French culture is unmistakable, and its people warm and friendly. If you are willing to try the French language, they are more than willing to meet you half-way.
We had visited three times previously to France between 2003 and 2012. On these occasions we had taken our touring motorcycle and travelled widely throughout the country. Touring France is one of the best ways to see the country and meet lots of people. Our trip in 2003 coincided with the well documented heatwave where tragically about 15,000 people lost their lives. We might talk more about our previous trips in another blog, another time. This trip centered on the city of Nice on the Mediterranean coast.
One of the shop and apartment buildings at Place Giuseppe Garibaldi square, Nice.
This trip was the first for us, whereby we flew into Nice from airport from Dublin. We had not visited Nice before and we were keen to see the city and its sights and delights. This being a Nice and Monaco outreach September 2023, we had contacted several local reformed churches. Unfortunately, these connections were unfruitful. We also missed the flight due to motorway diversions and signs pointing us in the wrong direction; but that's another story. We had to book a hotel in Dublin and fly out the next day. This shortened the trip by a day and increased our costs.
Arriving at Nice Airport was a reasonably straightforward affair without major hiccups. We used the excellent tram system over to our hotel. This was situated in the Old City, near a Carrefour shopping center, which had shops, a launderette, and restaurants.
The first day we took a walk around the squares and shops got our bearings of the Old City. It’s a busy city, plenty of history and lots to see. The first curiosity was the Nice “Square Head” designed by artist Sacha Sosno, (pictured below).
“Square Head” designed by artist Sacha Sosno, Nice France.
From the hotel we walked to the left of this photo, down to the Old city and the Place Garabaldi Square. During our first two days we didn’t evangelize as we felt the need to pray around the city. Each day we walked around 10 miles and enjoyed the beautiful weather. Some days were warm, and some were particularly hot.
We commenced some evangelism and talking with homeless people in the Place Garabaldi Square area. On previous trips to France, we never saw any homeless people, so this was new to us. We bought food and water for some and gave small amounts of money to others. We used this to strike up short conversations and provide Bible tracts in the French Language. The Nice and Monaco Outreach September 2023 had commenced.
A lot of our work centered around the Place Garabaldi Square as many homeless sought refuge under its arched colonnades and mature trees. We assumed there was a shelter nearby for homeless people in this part of the city.
Later in the week there was a full-scale fight (this appeared to be three women) behind where you see the orange digger in the right side in the photograph. This was not the only time there were frayed tempers and arguments. We saw two heated arguments at a Carrefour store within ten minutes of each other. An angry verbal exchange between a car driver and motorcyclist; then a coach driver and a restaurant manager having an argument. (Can I highlight this; in none of our previous times to France had we ever seen any anti-social behaviour whatsoever). So, we continued to pray and seek God’s guidance if this was just coincidence or something else.
We continued our efforts around the area and had conversations with some artists selling pictures, paintings and prints at the square. We passed out more tracts to the locals and passers-by. We took to putting tracts on car windscreens and through letterboxes though most being apartments, were inaccessible behind their security entrances.
We travelled down towards the Marina the next day. Around here we helped a gentleman who had difficulty walking. Originally Andrea and I thought he might be homeless. However, we helped him to where he was going and sat and chatted with him for about 40 minutes. Turned out this gent was a retired medic who spoke excellent English. We provided him some Bible tracts in English and French and had an in-depth conversation on Biblical topics. This man had a belief in God and Jesus Christ. He allowed us to pray for him before we departed.
We went for lunch just across from the Marina. A curious thing happened while Andrea was at the lady’s room. A Collared Dove flew over and landed on the table, less than two feet from me. The dove just looked at me for around 4 to 5 seconds and then flew off. I always considered Dove’s as very shy birds, though not on this occasion.
The marina in Nice is large and had some magnificent boats and yachts moored there. The Mediterranean Sea has that unmistakable blue colour. It’s interesting to mention at this point that Nice has a contrast of people who have much and those who have almost nothing. This Nice and Monaco Outreach September 2023 was a bit of an eye opener.
Also, from the same parkland we took this picture of the Promenade De Anglais. It’s interesting that the beach here at Nice is a pebble beach and not of sand. For people attending the water, the entry into the Mediterranean is steep and you might need to take care.
The Promenade De Anglais. (Picture).
The beach at Nice was very busy with many young people, adults, and older folk. Andrea and I helped an older lady up the steps to the Colline Du Chateau parklands and its lovely waterfall (picture below). She didn’t quite make it as she appeared to be having some breathing difficulties and refused to go further. None of us knew that there was a motorized train ride from the Old City side up to the top for those less mobile. That’s the way to get up to the top for the less mobile.
The parklands are a great way to see the vistas over Nice, the Mediterranean Sea and to spend an afternoon chilling out.
It’s long and flat, it can be windy at times so be aware if you are wearing a hat. There are numerous cyclists and people on motorized scooters; care is needed when traversing across the promenade. Here, as with other parts of the city, scooter riders particularly ride too fast with pedestrians around. Although we were not struck or crashed into; tourists need to be vigilant as it’s a risk. (More to come from this Nice and Monaco Outreach September 2023).
There are lots of hotels catering for all price brackets in Nice. As always, our recommendation is to book breakfast with your stay, as the French cuisine, even in the less expensive locations is usually good.
The Iron-Man circus was in town in Nice, and we visited it there. It had all the usual cycling, running and swimming gear and other franchised merchandise for sale. It was interesting just how big the Iron-Man events have become and it was great to see this up close.
The Trip to Monaco.
Andrea and I discussed and planned to go into Monaco. Monaco is a principality on the Cote d'Azur between Nice and the Italian Border. There was great anticipation and excitement for this trip. The train ride from Nice was uneventful and pleasant. When we arrived in Monaco, what we experienced was an explosion of wealth, privilege, and excess. There was such a display of opulence, like nothing we had seen before. It was a hot day, taking shade and fluids were essential.
In Monaco several of the shops displayed pictures of the late Princess Grace, (the American screen actress Grace Kelly) who tragically was killed in a car accident in 1982. She must be fondly remembered by the population there. Like in Nice there were several large ships and yachts in the harbour.
Monaco is a very clean, and well cared for. Everyone was well dressed and mannerly here. For a while, we hung out in the parkland about half a kilometer from the Casino and hotel area. The park benches provided a welcome rest and the trees shade from the sun.
Many of the high-end shops in Monaco had concierges guarding the entrances. We visited some clothing and shoe shops, and the prices matched the opulence and exclusivity of Monaco.
Closer to the Marina, we passed out tracts to some young people and spoke with two married couples taking shade under nearby trees. We could only do this for a time as this day in Monaco as you know, was very hot and had little breeze to cool the skin. We gave them some tracts and one lady in particular asked some excellent questions. The Bible clearly states to have an answer for your faith and hope (1 Peter: 3 V 15).
We saw the Monte Carlo Casino (pictured) though we did not go in as this was not right or proper for us. (Check out more from this Nice and Monaco Outreach September 2023).
The Monaco Marina (Below).
The cars parked in Monaco afforded another picture of wealth. Most were of high-end British, German and Italian manufacture. We found that the numerous Range Rovers were at the ‘less expensive’ end of the market here.
A word of caution, if you, like us are travelling by train from France to Monaco. Avoid the rush hour journeys as we were packed in like sardines on the return journey. Even with the air-conditioning on the train, it was stifling on the way back.
The last two days were spent back in Nice, these were very pleasant and as always, the French cuisine is very good to excellent. Eating out was a treat and there are numerous restaurants around the city competing for your business.
The Tuesday market in Nice was another treat and fresh local produce was aplenty. There were artistic works, hats, wines, soaps, toiletries, and souvenirs for those interested. In years past we visited the outdoor market in Arles (further along the French Mediterranean Coast). It stretched for around a mile around its walls, everything could be bought, from armchairs to carved zebras.
To recap. Around the Boulevard Des Anglaise there were many young adults sunbathing and enjoying the sea. It is useful to note again that Nice’s beach is a pebble beach and not for the most part sandy. Sandals and or beach shoes are recommended.
We finished off our holiday passing out Bible tracts and putting them on car windscreens in the streets around our hotel. Who knows if someone might get stirred to follow Jesus Christ from reading one of these?
One thing we took from this trip of Nice and Monaco Outreach September 2023, was the contrast between wealth and lack. In Nice it was clearly visible, especially around the Place Guiseppe Garibaldi square. In Monaco, the overwhelming display of wealth and prestige on show concerned us. How two regions were so near each other yet seemingly so far apart. (For surely, we brought nothing when we were born into this world, and equally will leave it in the same fashion).
Jesus says in the Bible, lay-up treasure for yourself in Heaven. Where “neither moth, nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in or steal, for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also”. (Matt: 6 V 21-22).
Enjoy your trip to Nice and Monaco, they are great places for a holiday. Be prepared to bring your wallet or purse, as Monaco especially will cost more.
If you liked this blog, please check out another blog on our site, on the Patron Saint of Ireland:
'A Story of the Walk of St Patrick': Click here.
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