French Riviera Guide

☀️ About this guide

In the picturesque region of southeastern France, where the azure Mediterranean meets quaint villages and rolling vineyards, a passion for photography is capturing hearts and minds. Meet Fabien Laurent Patrice Egot, a French connoisseur of the lens, whose daily endeavour involves curating the finest photography that showcases the beauty and vibrancy of this enchanting corner of the world.

This native of Aix-of-Provence, has always been enamoured by the stunning landscapes, rich cultural heritage, and timeless charm of the region. It was this deep-rooted love for his homeland that inspired him to embark on a mission: to shine a spotlight on the talented photographers who capture its essence with their keen eyes and artistic flair.

Every morning, as the sun gently illuminates the cobblestone streets and golden vineyards, Mr Egot embarks on a virtual journey through the lens of his fellow artists. Armed with a discerning eye for storytelling, he scours social media platforms, online galleries, and photography feeds in search of hidden gems that encapsulate the soul of southeastern France.

From the sun-kissed beaches of the French Riviera to the rugged cliffs of the Calanques National Park, Mr Egot seeks out images that evoke a sense of wonder and wanderlust. Whether it's a breathtaking sunset over the lavender fields of Provence or the bustling markets of Nice bursting with colour and character, each photograph is a testament to the region's allure.

But Mr Egot's mission goes beyond mere admiration; it's about empowerment and recognition. With each curated selection, he strives to amplify the voices of local photographers, providing them with a platform to showcase their talent to the world. Through his carefully curated collections, aspiring artists find validation, encouragement, and opportunities for exposure that can propel their careers to new heights.

Moreover, Mr Egot's efforts serve a dual purpose by promoting the region's touristic appeal. By showcasing its natural beauty, cultural heritage, and vibrant lifestyle through the lens of talented photographers, he offers a glimpse into the experiences that await visitors to southeastern France. Whether it's a virtual tour through the historic streets of Avignon or a visual feast of gourmet delights from the markets of Aix-en-Provence, each photograph becomes a compelling invitation for travellers to explore and discover the magic of the region for themselves.

In a world inundated with digital noise and fleeting distractions, Mr Egot stands as a beacon of authenticity and appreciation for the art of photography. Through his daily curation efforts, he not only celebrates the beauty of southeastern France but also cultivates a sense of community among its artists and admirers. In his selection, every frame tells a story, and every story becomes a testament to the enduring allure of this captivating corner of the world.

Map of Provence and the French Riviera by @lea.watercolor. Grazie mille !

👨‍🏫 Side-project

I'm also teaching Latin language on Instagram. Latin is not just any language. It is the language you use to carve perennial truths in stone; the same today as it was two thousand years ago; The one you learn at school is the same one with which Cicero addressed the Senate; the one with which St. Anselm proved the existence of God. Latin is not dead, it is perennial, and essentially “died out” with the fall of the Roman Empire, but in reality, it transformed gradually into the Romance languages: Spanish, French, Italian, Portuguese & Romanian. Nowadays, very few people are speaking Latin, Provençal or Niçard dialects anymore but I still find it useful to understand the etymology of certain words (if you know Latin, you already know 30% of English).

👨🏼‍🎓 Biography

The French Riviera project was created in 2017 and terminated in 2024 for political reasons. It reached more than 380.000 followers on July 2024. I'm a self-taught data consultant, ghostwriter, independent thinker, ex web 2.0 influencer and web 1.0 developer with previous roles at Apple, Google & IBM, and I used to live in Provence & the French Riviera for about 20 years, back in the golden age that followed the 30 glorious years.

My curriculum-vitæ is available here.

💻 Social Tips

I think a social system must be both closed and open. Closed to safeguard its organization and identity. Open to feed on foreign contributions that it integrates and assimilates. Being an influencer has very little to do with your title or where you rank in an organization. It's mainly linked to a blend of passion, hard work, tenacity, altruism, patience, empathy and discipline. If your account is about reposting other people's content like it is the case for this project, the great virtue is to remain passionately curious. Be patient, be ready for constant failing and adopt a continuous learning mindset; It takes 10 years to build a career in anything. The lasting revolution usually comes from deep changes in ourselves which influence our collective life. You’re never too old to set another goal, create a vision, reinvent what you have learnt (learning was easy, unlearning will be hard), think like a scientist, practice critical thinking, performative utterance or unlimit your brain.

The goal is to become the best at what you do, and keep redefining what you do until this is true. When working, surround yourself with people more successful than you. When playing, surround yourself with people happier than you. Anyone can do it and I'm happy to answer your questions if you have a similar objective. Also, it's not about being the biggest or writing to be read. A mistake any performer can make is to look at the audience ("if you don’t care to be liked, they can’t touch you"). It's more important to listen to your heart, follow your intuition and avoid being trapped by dogma. Don't desperate with figures if you're managing a cultural account. No one really cares to read the world of full academic articles on minutiæ. You will always have audience on popular subjects because when a person can't find a deep sense of meaning, they distract themselves with pleasure. Nature's imagination is so much greater than man's, she's never going to let us relax. You'll become popular if you stay mediocre. However, financial success is not linked to hard work or intelligence and sexual/sentimental behaviour is different than social behaviour.

You usually lead by distilling knowledge from the noise, refine by applying 10.000 iterations, and being willing to walk alone… Don't forget the Rule of 100: "If you spend 100 hours a year in any discipline (which is only 18 mins a day), you'll be better than 95% of the world in that discipline. Consistency is everything." Twitter is irreplaceable for intelligent introverts, and Instagram is a great tool to feature places. There are a lot to see in this area, and many local photographers have talent. If I don’t feature your photography, it doesn’t mean that I don’t like it or that you aren't talented. I receive hundreds of requests daily and I'm just not able to feature them all.

Keep up the good work 👍, capture the light 💡, play with contrast 📷 and enjoy your trip ☀️