A message from the editor:

France Revisited was launched 13 months ago on the premise that the best travel writing offers a combination of information, insights, and experience that melds together in an compelling whole.

Though the magazine isn’t yet in a position to pay its freelance contributors, we have managed to attract a variety of remarkable writers and photographers to contribute to various sections of the magazine. We select them, or they select us, because of their passion for writing about or photographing some aspect of travel or France or Europe.

Early on we created a Guest Blog to give those with less no writing or journalism experience an opportunity to present their experiences, observations, photos or videos. Once that blog was underway, we spun off a second guest blog for contributors on junior year abroad and called it Extracurricular Blogtivity.

The Guest Blog and Extracurricular Blogtivity have been well received by readers, with each receiving thousands of visit. I, personally, have been extremely pleased with the material that contributors have sent.

Unfortunately, the need to constantly renew the stable of contributors to those sections has proven too time-consuming while also leaving occasional gaps of several weeks in the frequency of posts, something we would rather avoid on France Revisited.

Since both blogs have been quiet for several weeks now, we have decided to let sleeping blogs lie. We are therefore ending both the Guest Blog and Extracurricular Blogtivity as of this post. The blogs will nevertheless remain on the site for another month or two to give readers the time to look back on the curious and perceptive work that has been posted there.

Though France Revisited is now no longer accepting material for the Guest Blog and Extracurricular Blogtivity we still welcome your queries and articles (and photos and videos) for other sections.

For those who receive the feeds from these blogs, please shift your feed to the other blogs on France Revisited, and be sure to sign up for the France Revisited Newsletter to stay informed about all new postings and travel opportunities. Or befriend France Revisited (or even me, if you like) on Facebook if that’s your preferred means of staying in contact.

However you connect with us, we look forward to you your continued readership of France Revisited, the magazine for savvy readers, experienced travelers, and curious Francophiles.

Gary Lee Kraut, editor

Anna Rivini goes to the Corso in Nice, one of the colorful parades of Carnival, every year and never tires of it. C’était super beau, she said of the Sunday afternoon Corso on Place Masséna. Here are some pictures she took there.

Remember, this year’s theme is the Blue Planet. You’ll see below, that some group thinks that President Obama might come to the rescue. Others are simply hoping for the best. And others, apparently, aren’t so sure.

- Photos and text: Anna Rivini

The first Battle of Flowers of 2010! An exciting tradition of Nice’s Carnival and an important part of the festivities.

It is a tradition where beauty and the ephemeral go together. Large crowds and colorful characters fill the Promenade, dancing and having fun.

Even when the weather is cold and cloudy, like yesterday, the show is magnificent, full of poetry and color.

Poster for the 2010 Carnaval de Nice

Anna Rivini attended the start of the Carnaval de Nice yesterday to get a first glimpse of the arrival of this year’s king.

Yesterday, despite the cold, there were a lot of people on Place Masséna for the arrival of the float of the King of the Planet Blue.

This year’s Carnival takes a humorous and derisive view of ecology, which is represented in blue for the occasion.

Hier, beaucoup de monde sur la place Masséna malgré le froid pour l’arrivée du char du “Roi de la Planète Bleue”.

Le thème du Carnaval cette année tourne avec humour et dérision autour de l’écologie présentée en bleue pour l’occasion.

Text and photos by Anna Rivini

Snow in Nice, it’s rare and magical. I put on my boots and go outside.

Nice, the beach. Feb. 11, 2010. (c) Anna Rivini

The snow is falling, children are happy. I decide to go in the Parc du Chateau, a very lovely place where you can see almost all Nice.

Nice, a glimpse of the sea. Feb. 11, 2010. (c) Anna Rivini

The view on the Baie des Anges and the white roofs of the Old Town is fantastic.

View over Nice and the Bay of Angels. Feb. 11, 2010. (c) Anna Rivini

Even with the snow, Nice keeps his beautiful colors, and reminds us that Carnaval is not far off.

View over the port. Feb. 11, 2010. (c) Anna Rivini