It’s been 26 years since I moved from Australia, where I lived for 6 years, to the south of France. First a year in the Pyrenées Orientales, which is in the south-west of France, and then 7 years in Roquebrune-Cap-Martin, near to Monaco. Eventually, 19 years ago I was lucky enough to find a house in Gorbio. Gorbio is a medieval hill village above Menton. I live just below the village – not far, as the crow flies but two and half kilometres by car as it’s a long and winding road but it’s only a 10 minute walk up the ancient and steep donkey track which was once the only access to the village. As I don’t have a donkey (now there’s a thought!) I normally drive.
And as I round a corner and the village, with it’s church spire, comes into view, my spirits soar. This feeling never fails. It’s as if I’m coming home to my family. That’s what Gorbio is to me – my home, my family, my community. Gorbio is beautiful but it would be nothing without the people who live there. Add to this, the best neighbour in the world – my great friend: dear, kind Agnès. How lucky am I!
Luca and Alice
Fête du Four – Auriane and Alice
Soumaya at the Fête de la Branda
Some people have asked how an English woman can become a part of a French hill village? Well, Gorbio is a village that welcomes new people, provided they share their love for the cultural patrimony, and respect the history contained in every ancient stone. I loved Gorbio instantly, but it was through my camera that I found an entrée into village life. At first I walked around snapping everything I saw and got known as ‘that Englishwoman who loves to photograph our village.’
Henri, sadly no longer with us
But then, as I got to calling in to the bar for an espresso, eating at the restaurant, gradually learning who was who and of course attending all the special Fête days of the village with my camera, I slowly became a part of the village.
Games in the bar
All this came from a decision to want to record and share the rich daily life of the village, the festivals and also the baptisms, the weddings and sadly the funerals.
First communion
Baptism day for little Pauline
Now I’m called ‘the village photographer’ and am proud. The Mayor – he’s also an artist of renown – regularly asks me to record an event, indeed he has always encouraged me in my photographic journey. And he tells me I’m now a Gorbarine! You can imagine how that made me dance! Again, how lucky am I?
The Mayor … et moi
Et en français …
Gorbio – Mon village, ma famille …
Il y a 26 ans que j’ai quitté l’Australie, où j’ai vécu pendant 6 ans pour habiter dans le sud de la France. D’abord une année dans les Pyrenées Orientales, dans le sud-ouest de la France, puis 7 ans à Roquebrune-Cap-Martin, près de Monaco. Enfin, il y a 19 ans, j’ai eu la chance de trouver une maison à Gorbio. Gorbio est un village médiéval perché au-dessus de Menton. Je vis juste en dessous du village – peu éloignée à vol d’oiseau, à deux kilomètres et demi en voiture car la route est longue et sinueuse, mais je suis à seulement 10 minutes à pied par l’ancien et raide chemin des ânes, qui dans le passé, était le seul accès au village. Comme je n’ai pas d’ âne (aujourd’hui, on se jamais!) il me reste la voiture.
Et quand dans un virage, le village avec son clocher de l’église apparaît, mon esprit s’élève. Ce sentiment ne manque jamais. C’est comme rentrer chez moi dans ma famille. C’est ce que Gorbio est pour moi – ma maison, ma famille, ma communauté. Gorbio est beau mais ce ne serait rien sans les gens qui y vivent. Ajoutez à cela, la meilleure voisine du monde – ma grande amie: chère, belle Agnès. Que je suis chanceuse!
Certaines personnes ont demandé comment une anglaise peut devenir une partie d’un village de montagne français? Eh bien, Gorbio est un village qui accueille de nouvelles personnes, à condition qu’elles partagent leur amour pour le patrimoine culturel et le respect de l’histoire contenue dans chaque pierre ancienne. J’ai aimé Gorbio instantanément, mais c’est grâce à mon appareil photo que j’ai trouvé une entrée dans la vie du village. Tout d’abord, je me suis promenée, saisissant tout ce que je voyais et alors on m’a reconnue comme «cette Anglaise qui aime photographier notre village.”
Ensuite, comme j’ai pris l’habitude de prendre un espresso au bar, de manger au restaurant, d’ apprendre peu à peu qui était qui et bien sûr d’assister à toutes les fêtes spéciales du village avec mon appareil photo, je suis lentement devenue une partie du village.Tout cela vient de la décision de vouloir enregistrer et partager la riche vie quotidienne du village, les festivals et aussi les baptêmes, les mariages et malheureusement les funérailles. Maintenant on m’appelle “la photographe du village” et j’en suis fière.
Le maire – qui est aussi un artiste renommé – me demande régulièrement d’enregistrer un événement. Il m’a toujours encouragée dans mon voyage photographique. Et il me dit que je suis maintenant une Gorbarine! Vous pouvez imaginer comment cela m’a fait danser! Encore une fois, que je suis chanceuse!
54 Comments
Thanks Jilly, I’d always wondered how you ended up there! It must be satisfying to be seen as one of their own now.
Jonathan, it’s a blessing. Somehow I fell on my feet and know this is my ‘forever’ home. Thanks for the comment.
Terrific pictures and text. I follow your blog every day. Keep up the great work. All the very best in 2017.
Jilly, how good to receive your latest superb photographs, and Monsieur Le Maire aussi avec toi.
May this coming 2017 be a peaceful and successful year for you and Ours.
X
Thank you so much Laura. And Happy New Year to you too. Thanks for writing. x
magnifiques photos qui donnent envie de venir à la rencontre de Gorbio et de ses habitants! Bravo Jilly
Merci beaucoup Muriel. Si heureux que vous aimez les photos. Gorbio a tellement de beauté – est vraiment un village authentique.
Looking Good Jilly!!!
What a beautiful part of the world you live in!!!!!
Yes, lucky me. And so do you! Thanks for the comment.
You really do photograph this village beautifully. It does feel like home.
William, thanks so much. So glad you like the photos. Can’t tell you how many I’ve taken over the years but it’s always the light, the light, the light, isn’t it?
Always good tout see your whereabouts Jilly.
Carole and me will come again to Menton next June.
…and maybe Gorbio for the third time.
Luc, super you will be coming to Menton again. Let me know when you come to Gorbio. love to you and Carole x
I really love your fotos and your comments. I’m looking forward to seeing and reading more.
Regina, so pleased you love the photos. Thanks for subscribing. I have such happy memories of the time spent in Berlin with you. Long time ago now!
I so enjoy your photos and comments. I’ve been to Menton many times but not up to Gorbio. I hope to make that trip again in 2017.
Thank you J. Christina. Hope you make it to Gorbio. Sure you’ll love it. It’s only 7 ks up the hill.
REALLY lovely! It’s also nice to see you on the other end of the camera-great photo of you and the mayor.
Next time I’m there, I’ll definitely make it up to Gorbio.
Joanne… well don’t tell anyone but that photo was taken a while back. No matter! So pleased you’ll come up to Gorbio on your next visit. It’s such a ‘real’ village, full of life.
Not only the most wonderful village in the south of France, but a wonderful area in which to live. The local villages, whether in France or just across the border in Italy, are so closely linked, with similar architecture and the same way of life. One thing I have found fascinating over the 50 odd years I’ve been coming to Airole (Italy) is that due to various wars, families were split apart, yet still come together and understanding each others language. You are so part of local life Jilly, you’ve embraced the culture and loved every minute of it. This we can all tell through your great photographs over the years, you now write this blog with such great passion. Penny and I, as you know show that same great passion, not just for Airole, but for the whole area of Italy and France. Thank you so much for keeping us waiting for the next installment.
Graeme, what a lovely and generous comment you have written. I know you feel exactly as I do and love Airole as much as I love Gorbio. How privileged we are. Can’t wait to see you in Airole this year and for you to come Gorbio. We can’t miss out this year!
Graeme, what a lovely and generous comment you have written. I know you feel exactly as I do and love Airole as much as I love Gorbio. How privileged we are. Can’t wait to see you in Airole this year and for you to come Gorbio. We can’t miss out this year!
Love the photo with Michel…. 😉
Sylvie, me too – just it was a taken a while back when we were both younger!
I just so enjoy your photos Jilly, I feel I am transported somewhere else. Wishing you a very happy forthcoming year and good luck with the new blog, am looking forward to it.
Alison, So so happy to know you are enjoying the photos and best of all they transport you! That’s my wish – made my day! Thank you.
Just gorgeous dear Jilly and beautiful photos.
Thank you dearest Carla. I have a good teacher…. Carla Coulson xxx
What a sweet post, it is so beautiful there and you showed such nice photos.
Marianne, thanks so much. So glad you enjoyed the photos. x
Jilly your love of your home just jumps off the page. Your photos are stunning, and your writing is the same. I love your new blog and website too. Can’t wait to join the queue to receive a signed book!
Steph, thankyou! So happy you are enjoying the blog and the photos. Well, I’m working on the book as you know and there is progress.
Very nice post Jilly. When my wife and I are in Cap d’Ail this spring, I think a trip up to the village is in order. We have walked up to Roquebrune several times and it too is quite charming.
Doug, thank you so much. I’m sure you’ll enjoy Gorbio. That’s quite a walk up to Roquebrune. Good for you! Sure you’ll love Gorbio.
Dearest Jilly,
I look forward to all of your posts! You have a fabulous eye and you bring to life each of your subjects. We always take visitors to Gorbio because, as we say to them, it is a real village. You are a beautiful, very talented woman and any village would be fortunate to have you in their midst. The people of Gorbio are lucky to have you there and I am sure they realized that and very much appreciate you!
Suzanne, thank you so much. You are so right, Gorbio is a real village – authentique as the French say. And Suzanne, such kind generous words from you. I’m really touched! Thankyou lovely lady. x
Dearest Jilly,
I look forward to all of your posts! You have a fabulous eye and you bring to life each of your subjects. We always take visitors to Gorbio because, as we say to them, it is a real village. You are a beautiful, very talented woman and any village would be fortunate to have you in their midst. The people of Gorbio are lucky to have you there and I am sure they realized that and very much appreciate you!
Suzanne, thank you so much. You are so right – Gorbio is a real village – authentic, as the French say. And your beautiful words touched me so much. So kind dear Suzanne. x
Hi Jilly!
Somehow I missed the fact you had a blog. I’m so glad to find it and I hope I can find my own hilltop town sometime soon too! Still working on making it happen.
Love to you
Charlotte xx
Charlotte, you didn’t really miss it because I only recently started it. I stopped my Menton blog and Riviera Dogs and now have only this one, and also FB and Instagram of course. So loved our time together in Naples. Keep at it! One day I’ll visit you at your own hilltop home!
Dear Jilly,
I am so happy for you and your fellow villagers that you have found and love each other!
You already know that I am a very big fan of your photography and I love how you translate your love for your home on and by the hill into images that stay in mind, ones that are truly memorable.
Wishing you continued joy with your camera and neighbors,
Merisi
Merisi, thank you so much for your valued words. I so appreciate them. I know you feel the same as me with your Vienna – I love your Vienna for Beginners by the way. That is SUCH a good idea. lots of love and happy photography to you too. xxx
Dear Jilly, I have always been a great fan of your blogs and I am happy that you will continue sending us pictures and news from your lovely village ! I love the Cote D’Azur and all its surroundings….Thank you!
Giusi, Turin
Dear Guisi, Oh how lovely to hear from you. So happy you are here. Love to you and to Turin, of course!
Happy New Year Jilly. I am French, but got introduced to Menton – and Gorbio – by an English woman, a few years ago. You may know her: She is named Jilly Bennett. 🙂 Through your eyes (and photos) I discovered the area. I was also lucky to spend time in Gorbio with you twice, while enjoying fabulous meals at le Restaurant Beau Séjour. It was obvious to me then, locals have accepted you as one of their own. Wherever we are in the world, making a home in a welcoming community is a special thing to do. I am glad that after so many years spent traveling, and many adventures, you have found a home in that special corner of southern France. I will be looking forward to visiting you again there soon. Wishing you all the best in 2017. Ton amie, Véronique.
Vero, you are funny! I love the way you write! You know so well how it is to make a home in a new country and a new community – and hey, hopefully a move from American to Nice! Then we’ll see so much more of each other. I’m waiting…. And yes, so hope you come and visit your beloved Nice this year. Keep me posted, chere amie. Bises. xxx
Oh, what can I say? Having had the privilege of visiting I understand why you love it so much.
You have a gift for lighting faces. The two children playing on the steps and the child in candlelight at the baptism are exceptional.
Bob, thank you so much. Well I really didn’t light the faces, they were just there. I guess I ‘found’ the light and of course a candle works so well, doesn’t it? I so enjoyed the visits you made with Carolyn to Menton and Gorbio – do so hope you will come back again one of these fine days. Thanks dear Bob. x
I am so happy you’ve found your home.
Thank you so much Kandee and thank you for subscribing. See you again soon!
You always do the right thing. God Bless you.
Thank you
What a beautiful life you’ve created! Happy 2017 ! Thanks for sharing your writing & photo’s…I’m so lucky that I found your Blog!
I always wondered how you arrived at Gorbio too. Seems like your camera and Photography helped to make you one of the villagers ..So much life , love and energy there and You have fantastic photos, full of life and expressions. Thanks for sharing.
Anne, thanks so much. So happy you are enjoying the photography and now you know how I got here! We all have tales to tell, don’t we?