Some days we would go to The Hotel Du Cap and have lunch and swim. It is such a Beautiful Hotel in a gorgeous setting.
That first time we were there for lunch, the artist Marc Chagall was having lunch there too,
and Daddy introduced me to him, which was very exciting, as you can well imagine....To meet such a legend in The Art World was very emotional, too. In truth, whenever I have met any 'larger-than-life' person of note, I find it a very moving experience. That afternoon was no exception. All we did was say "Hello" but.....but....well, It was Marc Chagall, you know? This picture below, is one of the Stained Glass Windows at The Chagall Museum right there in The South Of France......Beautiful, beyond words!
There is this very beautiful pool at The Hotel Du Cap---surrounded by the natural rocks of the Cliffs that make up the Eden Rock of the terrain.....It was not easy to get to, but worth the trip on the rather scary steps that go down to it.
And then there is the Ocean. Getting to it was even more of a challenge----truly difficult...but, again, very much worth it. The Med is pretty choppy most of the time and a certain amount of bravery is required if you are planning on swimming in it. 
I swam in both the pool and the Ocean and even swam out to a float, which made be think of this scene from the film "To Catch A Thief", where Cary Grant swims out to this float....(there are lots of Floats in the South Of France....) The whole setting of this Hotel is quite remarkable. On one of those days that we were there, the famous 20th Century Fox producer and former head of the studio Daryl Zanuck, was there swimming, and he too went into the ocean, but had a young man helping him down those stairs and also swimming alongside him because it was quite rough in those waters and he was not a young man anymore. The Med can be quite daunting in this particular area.....I'm not sure I would try to navigate the stairs down to the Ocean, or the water itself at this stage of my life...And I am and was, a very good swimmer.....The Med near Daddy's house was much much calmer and not a problem for anyone of any age that I could see......!
This Hotel has always attracted so very many interesting people---Famous financiers and Hollywood people, Arists and Musicians as well as people from all walks of life. On one of the days that we went to swim at The Hotel Du Cap we had lunch with Eleanor and Howard Sachs.
This gentleman was one of the "Sachs" from Goldman-Sachs, (one of the sons of the founder, I believe...)....
Daddy was a very good customer and they had known each other for many years. The Sachs had a Cabana there on the property of the Hotel. These Cabana's afforded a lot of privacy because they were not right up next to each other. In the Cabana next to them, a bit of a short walk, were Anne & Kirk Douglas. They just happened to be standing there leaning on the railing, both in their bathing suits. As I said earlier, I have never been very savvy where men are concerned, but there was no question that I was being looked over by Mr. Douglas---it was so 'out there' that it was even obvious to me....lol! I don't think his wife was too thrilled about that, and I thought to myself at the time, he was probably always doing a lot of 'looking' and, in some cases, more than just looking.....! I must say, they both looked in great shape back in 1969.....Come to think of it, Kirk Douglas was only about 52 back then....no wonder he looked so good!
I had forgotten about this silly little Terrycloth dress---worn over my bathing suit.....That collar is so "Peter Pan".....But it was very very comfortable and I have always been all about comfort. I think it is one of the things I liked so much about The South Of France, it was so very very relaxed and comfortable in every respect. I felt very at home there--not unlike how I felt in Los Angeles, at that time, too....Somewhere along the way....that pesky tooth of mine got to acting up so badly that I actually had to go see a dentist. This particular dentist came highly recommended and his office was in Nice....In the picture below that is the actual street where his office was, and it really did look very much like this even forty years ago......
And it looked like this, too.....
He had actually trained at the USC Dental School right here in Los Angeles, which was and still is one of the top Dental Schools in the United States....My own dentist back in L.A. had trained at USC, too....I must tell you, I never thought that one of the things I would be doing in The South Of France would be having a Root Canal....! But it worked out quite well and Dr. Ravon was a lovely man and a very good dentist, Thank God and Thank You, USC! He recognized all the extensive dental work I had had and was most complimentary on how beautiful it was....Every profession has it's standards, doesn't it? Do click on this prescription below to see it bigger....I love that it actually had his 'pedigree' on it......I had never seen that before......
For some strange reason, I held on to this prescription---they don't take them from you in France...Or I should say, they didn't at that time, I guess. I actually had to see Dr. Ravon a few times during those three weeks and because we were in Nice, I got to see many other things there, too. 
In fact, one of those times we went to Monte Carlo and had dinner at The Hotel de Paris---a Beautiful Hotel with so much History about it, and we also went to The Casino and gambled a bit....The gambling was quite different than in Las Vegas. Everything was at a much slower pace, and of course, everything was in French. That in itself made it completely different, to say the least. I enjoy playing Roulette, in particular.....
And in fact, Roulette there, was much much slower and seemed very elegant in comparison to the hustle and bustle of Las Vegas. My favorite numbers are "0" zero and "00" double zero, and I love to play them.....As I recall, I even won a few francs---not a lot mind you, and not on zero and double zero, but enough to make me feel that I was pretty lucky, especially after going through another Root Canal, and a French one, at that.....lol! There is so much about The South Of France that truly suited me. And being there with my father and Olga made for a very fascinating time, mostly because of all the incredibly interesting people that Daddy knew......More To Come.......
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Great stuff and great pics. I'm sure the memories of that trip are priceless to you. Thanks for sharing them with us.
Cheers.- Monday, May 4, 2009 at 5:38:00 AM PDT
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I'm just catching up on your posts of late- marvelous series Naomi!!! I just love a step back in time, how fortunate we all are that you maintained these wonderful photos and stories to share.
Marc Chagall, how lucky you are!- Monday, May 4, 2009 at 5:46:00 AM PDT
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This series of posts is such a treat -- from the beautiful photos to the fascinating anecdotes. I'm glad you had such a talented dentist -- one is truly at his/her mercy once one gets into that chair ...!
I read Kirk Douglas' latest autobiography and it was full of abject adoration for his wife, who has taken care of him since he had his stroke. I suspect he was trying to make up for ... shall we say past indiscretions? But from those photos of you, one really can't blame the man for wanting to have a good look. Such a lovely woman.- Monday, May 4, 2009 at 6:24:00 AM PDT
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I hope you realize how much money you are saving me. Vicarious travel is almost as good. Your pictures and commentary are great. What a thrill to meet such special people.
I could have become prune like in that pool. What a view.
Had heard Mr.Douglas was pretty full of himself.
So glad the tooth got fixed but really, a root canal in a strange place, more power to you.
Keep the stories coming.- Monday, May 4, 2009 at 7:08:00 AM PDT
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This has been very interesting, a world I won't ever experience but have seen photos and read stories about. Your photos are beautiful.
You know men such as you describe about Kirk Douglas (and that certainly fits what I read about him and many of the male movie stars) always irritate me. Who would want to be with anyone who is never really with who they are with? He was a fantastic looking man though and way late into his life as he kept himself in great shape.- Monday, May 4, 2009 at 9:13:00 AM PDT
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Woo-hoot!! Been given the eye by Mr Douglas himself hey? Go girl! *heehee*
I am loving these posts naomi - I look forward to the next installment!- Monday, May 4, 2009 at 10:20:00 AM PDT
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You always transport us to places and times that are so captivating - so amazing - you are amazing. Love and hugs
- Monday, May 4, 2009 at 2:53:00 PM PDT
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What a fairytale trip. Chagall is one of my most favorite artists. I love the way he blends color (like my tulip and your roses) and uses color.
I got looked over once by Carl Yastremski. My Red Sox loving son wanted to know why I didn't get his autograph and I said 'I didn't know that I was going to have a son someday who loved the Red Sox.- Monday, May 4, 2009 at 3:44:00 PM PDT
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I love hearing about your adventures, Naomi. Thanks for sharing.
- Monday, May 4, 2009 at 4:16:00 PM PDT
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You make everything in the South of France sound like great fun...even the ROOT CANAL! ;)
My mother ADORES Kirk Douglas and apparently he adored you...if only for a moment. :)
Out of all your beautiful photos, the one of the pool at the Hotel Du Cap is my favorite. What a view!!
Thanks for sharing more of your S. France experience with us. I can see it was a beautiful time for you where you got to spend the best of times with your father.- Monday, May 4, 2009 at 7:38:00 PM PDT
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Wow! It looks so glamorous!
I love the pix of the water!- Monday, May 4, 2009 at 8:05:00 PM PDT
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Thanks so much for sharing these stories. I think it's fascinating that you still had those two pieces of paper. I suppose the best way to have a root canal is in great weather surrounded by fabulous scenery. And Marc Chagall!
- Tuesday, May 5, 2009 at 12:30:00 AM PDT
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Hiya Naomi,
I seem to have problem seeing all the photos but enjoyed this tremendously. Everything in style!!! :D
By the way, Seemah called me yesterday but the reception was poor so we didn't chat for long. She misses us and we missed her too :D
Luv
Betty- Tuesday, May 5, 2009 at 5:18:00 AM PDT
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What wonderful posts. I went back and read all three after the other and it seems like you had a wonderful time! What a great experience this all must have been.
I love the pictures of you on that boat, pretending that it's yours, LoL! You look so relaxed and happy (despite the tooth problems!). And that pool in the hotel that overlooks the ocean looks amazing! Do you know, while you were enjoying yourself in France I was busy entering the world around that time (depending exactly when that was) :)- Tuesday, May 5, 2009 at 8:00:00 AM PDT
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You met Marc Chagall? I'm GREEEN! His work is so beautiful. It was about late sixties when I was in the S of France with my friends and sitting at cafe by the beach in Cannes I goggled whilst Kirk and his wife walked on by. He was totally aware of us and actually slowed so we could get a better look. Being Brits we didn't say a word.
Wouldn't it have been fun if we could have met? It must have been around the same time.
I think root canals have a habit of erupting when one is far from home. I love the way you keep memorabilia. It makes it so real.
A lovely trip Naomi:)- Tuesday, May 5, 2009 at 8:38:00 AM PDT
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had this to say:
Please don't stop! We love hearing about your lovely travel experiences! Now that we can't afford SOF, we can still enjoy it with you. Thanks ever so much.
- Tuesday, May 5, 2009 at 9:55:00 AM PDT
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How incredible to have met Chagall!! Magical really
the photos are all stunning, I especially love the shot of the pool.- Tuesday, May 5, 2009 at 10:20:00 AM PDT
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What memories I think few people have such a wonderful photo carousel to help them look back at all the good things life gave you. You should write a book about your thoughts and feelings with all of the things you did with your family and friends.
Dorothy from grammology
grammology.com- Tuesday, May 5, 2009 at 6:23:00 PM PDT
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I am constantly amazed by your life, Naomi. You have done some very interesting things and been to some fabulous places!!
- Tuesday, May 5, 2009 at 8:04:00 PM PDT
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And the adventure continues...
What a wonderful trip! I'm so glad you are sharing the details of this memorable time. Meeting Chagall and swimming in that fabulous pool AND being treated like eye candy by Kirk Douglas. SWOON!!
:-)
The root canal wasn't fun, but the rest sounds amazing!
I heard that Dom Deluise died. I thought of you because I know you've mentioned him and his wife before. I am so sad to hear of his death.
:-(- Tuesday, May 5, 2009 at 9:22:00 PM PDT
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Ah, I love your exciting life!
- Wednesday, May 6, 2009 at 7:41:00 PM PDT
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That looks like a lovely hotel and sounds like you had a great time visiting there! Beautiful pool -- you know me and my love of pools and swimming. We do have that in common, don't we? :)
Isn't it funny? I always look at prospective doctors to find out where they went to school and if it's USC, I always feel so much more comfortable about things.- Wednesday, May 6, 2009 at 9:03:00 PM PDT
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What a lovely hotel! The ocean is so pretty. What a fabulous trip this was for you, even with the root canal!! You have had such adventures in your life Naomi!!
- Wednesday, May 6, 2009 at 10:14:00 PM PDT
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Wow! What a great post! Just wonderful photos and lovely memories. The pool at The Hotel Du Cap is just gorgeous. Love so much your photo with the "terrycloth dress"!
- Thursday, May 7, 2009 at 6:10:00 AM PDT
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I love your stories and how you write them Naomi. Such wonderful memories you've captured and shared....love it.
I love that painting of Chagall's. The blues are stunning....a teaspoon of the mediterranean mixed in there. lovely.- Thursday, May 7, 2009 at 3:31:00 PM PDT
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had this to say:
Oh, this was just great, Naomi.
Chagall! WOW! Your father really did move in an exciting and fascinating group of people and I always marvel at how he just "looked" the part. I can't explain it...but he looks so distinguished and professional. I also couldn't help notice in these photos, he seemed mighty proud to have you there by his side.
I clicked to see a larger size of the one of you and your dad. You were just gorgeous, Naomi....that dark hair, wonderful skin and a bit exotic looking. NO wonder Kirk Douglas kept staring at you.
OH no....I just realized....is this the end of this series?
I sure did enjoy it and thanks again.- Thursday, May 7, 2009 at 5:39:00 PM PDT
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I am not in the slightest bit surprised Mr Douglas checked you out, you were and are gorgeous!!
Chagall wow, you never ever cease to amaze me with your stories. I honestly could sit and listen to you for hours.
Never stop telling them !!
BTW a public press release has gone out now about Stanleys loss as well :(- Sunday, May 10, 2009 at 4:40:00 PM PDT
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The Peter Pan collared dress does look so comfortable! I'm all about being cozy :)
- Sunday, May 10, 2009 at 6:06:00 PM PDT
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