Apéro, Cours Saleya

Apéro, Cours Saleya is an original contemporary painting inspired by the colourful café terraces and lively market at Cours Saleya in the heart of Nice. Celebrating the timeless ritual of apéro on the French Riviera, the painting captures the atmosphere of long summer afternoons filled with people, conversation, sunshine and Mediterranean charm.

Built from countless walks through Old Nice, the composition brings together the details that stayed with me most: striped awnings, fruit and vegetable stands, colourful building façades, elegant figures gathering outside cafés, and the strong shadows cast by parasols in the afternoon sun. Rather than depicting one literal view, these familiar elements are reassembled into a composition shaped by memory, celebrating the morning light, colour and energy of this landmark spot on the Côte d'Azur.

Created using acrylic and marker on canvas, Apéro, Cours Saleya is a one-of-a-kind original painting inspired by Nice, the French Riviera and the Mediterranean. Through bold graphic forms, layered textures and a colourful palette of warm ochres, Mediterranean blues, vibrant reds and crisp whites, it celebrates café culture, people-watching, striped awnings and the simple pleasure of slowing down in the South of France.

Inspirations

Apéro, Cours Saleya was inspired by the café terraces that spill onto the streets surrounding Cours Saleya in the heart of Old Nice. After wandering through the market, I often find myself lingering over a coffee, a chilled glass of rosé or an Aperol Spritz, watching the neighbourhood settle into its unhurried rhythm. There is something timeless about these moments—the colourful façades, striped awnings, bustling cafés and the gentle choreography of people gathering to talk, laugh and simply enjoy being together.

Rather than depicting a specific café or afternoon, I wanted to capture the atmosphere that makes this place so memorable. Bold colours, graphic architecture, elegant figures and long Mediterranean shadows come together in a composition that celebrates the warmth, sociability and effortless charm of life on the French Riviera.

More than a café scene, this painting is a tribute to slowing down, sharing a table with friends over a glass of rosé or an Aperol Spritz, and embracing the simple rituals that make the Côte d'Azur such an inspiring place to live and return to.

Apéro, Cours Saleya was inspired by the café terraces that spill onto the streets surrounding Cours Saleya in the heart of Old Nice. After wandering through the market, I often find myself lingering over a coffee, a chilled glass of rosé or an Aperol Spritz, watching the neighbourhood settle into its unhurried rhythm. There is something timeless about these moments—the colourful façades, striped awnings, bustling cafés and the gentle choreography of people gathering to talk, laugh and simply enjoy being together.

Rather than depicting a specific café or afternoon, I wanted to capture the atmosphere that makes this place so memorable. Bold colours, graphic architecture, elegant figures and long Mediterranean shadows come together in a composition that celebrates the warmth, sociability and effortless charm of life on the French Riviera.

More than a café scene, this painting is a tribute to slowing down, sharing a table with friends over a glass of rosé or an Aperol Spritz, and embracing the simple rituals that make the Côte d'Azur such an inspiring place to live and return to.

Material & Features

• Original artwork
• Acrylic on canvas & collage
• 50 × 70 cm
• Gallery-wrapped canvas
• 2026
• Signed on the front
• Certificate of Authenticity included
• Worldwide shipping available upon request

• Original artwork
• Acrylic on canvas & collage
• 50 × 70 cm
• Gallery-wrapped canvas
• 2026
• Signed on the front
• Certificate of Authenticity included
• Worldwide shipping available upon request

Creative Process

Cours Saleya is part of my daily rhythm in Nice. I often run through the market in the early morning, and find myself there a few times a month shopping for flowers and plants for my little urban garden. I’m endlessly drawn to the vivid colours of fresh local produce, fruit, flowers and market stalls, especially when they contrast with the sunlit façades of Vieux Nice.

This painting was composed from photographs, sketches and memories gathered over many visits. I first drew the reimagined composition directly onto canvas with charcoal, reconstructing the market scene from the details that stayed with me most: striped awnings, colourful displays, passing figures, flowers, fruit and the warmth of a Mediterranean morning.

The final painting was built in layers using acrylic, oil pastel and marker, adding colour, highlights, contrast and graphic detail until the scene captured the energy and charm of Cours Saleya. This layered process creates depth, movement and a handcrafted finish while reinforcing the bold visual language that defines my work.

Cours Saleya is part of my daily rhythm in Nice. I often run through the market in the early morning, and find myself there a few times a month shopping for flowers and plants for my little urban garden. I’m endlessly drawn to the vivid colours of fresh local produce, fruit, flowers and market stalls, especially when they contrast with the sunlit façades of Vieux Nice.

This painting was composed from photographs, sketches and memories gathered over many visits. I first drew the reimagined composition directly onto canvas with charcoal, reconstructing the market scene from the details that stayed with me most: striped awnings, colourful displays, passing figures, flowers, fruit and the warmth of a Mediterranean morning.

The final painting was built in layers using acrylic, oil pastel and marker, adding colour, highlights, contrast and graphic detail until the scene captured the energy and charm of Cours Saleya. This layered process creates depth, movement and a handcrafted finish while reinforcing the bold visual language that defines my work.

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