Finding Myself in Antibes

I think I came to this part of France to heal. Honestly, I’ve done almost nothing since I arrived—and I think that’s the point.

On my first day, I visited Old Town Antibes during the market. It was huge, beautiful, and completely packed. Everything you imagine a southern French market to be spices, honey, lavender, fruits, vegetables—it was gorgeous and a little overwhelming. It seemed everyone at the market was trying to get their instagrammable moment, mine of course included sadly.

I wandered the old town, got an ice cream, did a bit of shopping. It was hot as hell. I tried to find a place to eat, but everything was booked, and the place I landed on was just okay. Back at the apartment, I saw a craft fair happening, so I grabbed Copper and we set out to walk back. But between the heat (90° and humid), winding streets, and shallow sidewalks, it felt dangerous. We gave up, called an Uber, and went back to Old Town.

Earlier that day I’d met an artist painting a tiny 8x8 canvas of Antibes. By the time I returned, she had finished it. It wasn’t expensive, so I bought it. She was lovely—one of the longest-standing residents of Old Town Antibes. Wrapping up the painting took her 45 minutes. It felt like a Mr. Bean moment from Love Actually. I almost said, “Forget it,” but she was just so sweet. Funny enough, when I look at that painting, I won’t remember the city—I’ll think of Mr. Bean. And I love that.

The next day I had a lymphatic drainage massage with was Isabelle Romero from the Au Pré de Soie – Drainage Lympathatique Manuel et Massage bien-être (that is a mouth full). Her studio is in a beautiful Mediterranean villa in the hills of Antibes.

One thing I’ve learned since arriving in Antibes: never enter just the business name for Uber. Always put in the exact address. Otherwise, you’ll end up driving aimlessly through the mountains—like I did, twice. I was dropped off about ten minutes away from Isabelle’s studio and had to walk through the heat and hills to find her place. By the time I arrived, I was drenched in sweat. She graciously took pity on the overheated American and pointed a fan directly at me—one she clearly didn’t need for herself.

Once we settled onto her sofa, she just had me to take a moment, kind of arrive and settle. One breath later I was in tears. It felt like she’d given me permission to finally let go. Everything I’d been holding in for the past seven months—the divorce, losing my dog – Kuma, selling the house, moving across the world, the car accident, all of it. I think I cried for nearly three hours.

The massage that followed was very different than my normal treatments back in LA, but it was calming on almost a spiritual level. At one point I got nauseous, and Isabelle asked, “Are you angry?”  I laughed, “Of course I am, remember the last seven months of my life?” She explained that the liver holds anger, and that’s what was coming up. Then she told me about Sylvie, a woman who reads the body, and asked if I wanted to meet her. I said yes—this, just seemed like one of those moments you don’t pass up.

Sylvie doesn’t speak any English, so Isabelle stayed with us and translated for an entire hour. It was such a profound and intimate experience—one I’ll never forget. I would say I walked away from that experience a different person. Or maybe more me than I have ever been.

The next day, I couldn’t even get out of bed. My body needed a reset, and for once, I listened. I let myself rest. No sightseeing. No guilt. Just surrender.

Wednesday, I had an osteopath appointment. Probably too soon, but he came to the apartment, and he was kind, spiritual, and grounding—another “this is why I’m here” moment. Again, I was exhausted afterward.

Basically, my first week I had two treatments and slept.

The only other thing I did was go to the super amazing park every day, Le Jardin Secret. This is by far the best park to date. The reasons being. The giant complex I am staying is completely enclosed, no cars so all dogs can be off leash. From my apartment door all the way to the park Copper can be free. It is a whole new experience for her and one she is totally loving. At about 6:00PM every day it is doggie social with about 20 dogs playing. I am usually working at that time but on the weekends, I can join and it is super fun.

By Friday, I needed to get out, I planned to take the bus to Grasse. But I only made it to Cannes and aborted the mission. Saturday, I Ubered to Grasse instead. It was lovely. No cars, umbrellas strung across the streets for summer, peaceful and charming. I wandered with no agenda, no phone—except for pictures, of course. Grasse might be one of my favorite little towns to date.

There were so many artist shops but none of with any paintings of the town, which cracked me up. I asked one woman why, and she said, “It’s so ordinary.” I told her, “Not to the people who visit.” I did find a photographer whose work I loved and bought a couple of her prints. I also took some great photos myself.

Sunday, I got in the ocean, did some yoga and breath work, had lunch. A full self-care day. A few park visits with Copper.

Then back to Isabelle on Monday. Sylvie stopped by to say hello. Isabelle even gave me a little tour of Antibes. She’s truly wonderful. The three of us have a dinner date on Thursday, which feels like an only in France moment.

I have just a few days left here and have decided that my time will be divided between the park, the ocean and chillin. . I don’t have many food recommendations—I’ve barely eaten out. But I do recommend Isabelle and Sylvie. Isabelle’s link is here; she can connect you with Slyvie. The only restaurant I’ve at multiple times is Côté Jardin, which is in the complex I am staying, but very good food. And if you visit: go to Grasse. Wander Old Town Antibes. Get in the ocean. Go to the parks. Spend time with yourself.