Tales From The Blue Coast

Latest from Nice based Anglo-French band The Sons of Guns, whose popularity has soared in recent years. Their repertoire of 70s' rock and pop, folk, blues and pure form Americana draws regular crowds in the city's Old Town venue, Wayne's. That following has propelled them to touring much further afield. Long time fan and friend of the band, Patsi meets up with the boys to find out how it's been go...

The second season of these lively and revealing podcasts opens with Patsi meeting up with Vanessa, a Canadian of Filipino heritage who has lived and worked on The Riviera for several years. Vanessa shares her journey to becoming a French citizen in Nice, having moved there from Paris. Despite initial citizenship rejection, Vanessa persevered. She talks about her work as a teacher and tour guide, a...

Patsi savours sunshine and socca, with Catherine Schantz. Affectionately known as ‘Cat’, Patsi's guest for the final show in season one of Tales From The Blue Coast, shares her journey from Strasbourg to Nice where she has long been settled. Cat’s employment entails a daily commute to Antibes, based with a recruitment agency servicing luxury yachts. With warmth and humour she describes the vibrant...

In this episode Patsi meets up with her friend Marilou, a Dutch entrepreneur who moved to Nice after a challenging journey that included bereavement, and the breakdown of her marriage. In relaxed candour, Marilou shares the poignant and inspiring story of her emotional bond with France. From first moving to Paris over twenty years ago, through time spent living in Grenoble, before finally settling...

Patsi chats with Chris Tixerant, who she befriended over twenty years ago in Villefranche-sur-Mer, a beautiful mediaeval fishing town twenty minutes east of Nice. Chris shares his story from his upbringing in England to Villefranche where he ran a popular bar for over a decade, introducing live musical acts and fostering a close-knit community of locals and expats - many of whom have remained frie...

Season 1 of Patsi’s podcast features a wide range of guests, each with their own story of life on the Riviera. In this extended trailer, their voices sum up the enduring appeal of the beautiful blue coast.

In this bonus episode, Patsi visits Hugh Mitford Raymond in his apartment on Nice’s iconic Promenade des Anglais. There, Hugh has researched and written for over three decades, producing several books - most notably The Mitfords, Nearly A Thousand Years Of History. Together, Hugh and Patsi revisit a darker aspect of the Mitford story through two of the notorious 20th century ‘girls’ – Unity (1914-...

Patsi introduces Sarah Hopkinson, who moved to France as a teenager. Sarah's journey to the French Riviera began as an au pair, leading her to settle in Nice despite the initial challenges of finding suitable accommodation and steady employment. She eventually started her own business as a translator and copywriter, a venture that has burgeoned in recent years. Sarah loves Nice's vibrant nightlife...

This bonus episode finds Patsi back in conversation with Hugh Raymond Mitford, descendant squire of the celebrated Mitford dynasty of Northumberland. With personal insight and humour, Hugh casts light on the life of the eldest Mitford sister, Nancy. Famed novelist of works such as 'Love In A Cold Climate', Nancy also exposed one of the strangest Franco-British incidents of the 20th century - decad...

Patsi in conversation with Blake, who lived a complex life before settling in Nice. Born in Vancouver, Blake shares his unusual heritage and early years marked by frequent moves between France and Canada. He recounts his troubled youth including stints in juvenile and adult prison, and his eventual transformation through sports and meditation. He discusses his success in real estate ventures, as w...

Patsi meets up with Emma Orr, entrepreneur from northern England who runs a flourishing boucherie in the vibrant, welcoming town of Antibes. Emma's traditional farm upbringing and her imaginative recipes have resulted in high demand for her hand crafted sausages, pies and other butchery produce. Her clients range from regular shoppers to neighbourhood bars and restaurants, and the superyachts of t...

On another sunny musical afternoon in Nice, Patsi catches up with David Zincke, frontman of much loved band The Sons of Guns. The boys are a fixture of iconic Old Town bar, Wayne's. Here David reflects on the recent experience of performing in a larger ticketed venue, and the challenges of producing original music versus covers. He discusses his influences - from his all-time heroes The Beatles -&...

As Britbox drama Outrageous drops in summer 2025, telling the story of the colourful Mitford sisters, Patsi presents another blue coast conversation. This episode features author and public speaker Hugh Mitford Raymond. Raised in South Africa, Hugh is great-great grandson, nephew and cousin to the last seven squires of the Mitford dynasty. He has lived on the French Riviera for over thirty years....

As Patsi continues to gather conversations on the coast, she meets up with Willie Campbell, singer songwriter from her own native Isle of Lewis, Scotland. An evening of live music on Nice's popular Cours Saleya as Willie and fellow band member Stephen Drummond celebrate their forthcoming single.

As the Britbox drama Outrageous drops on screen in June 2025, Patsi presents another blue coast conversation, trailed here. The forthcoming episode will feature writer and historian Hugh Mitford Raymond. Great-great grandson, nephew and cousin to the last seven squires of the colourful Mitford dynasty. The story of the 'outrageous' Mitford sisters but so much more, as Hugh recounts his own journey...

Hugh Mitford Raymond, last remaining member of the Mitford mainline dynasty and long time resident of the French Riviera, joins Patsi in relaxed conversation. Together they explore the legacies of the renowned Mitford 'sisters' but also the lesser known story of the 'mainline' Mitford family. Here Hugh offers a perfect, potted description of the city of Nice. Full episode and bonus features to fol...

‘Rachael’ moved to the South of France after her marriage ended. A mother of five, in this podcast she opens up about her difficult past including sexual abuse and struggles with alcohol, depression and domestic violence, eventually resulting in her arrest. After several years’ experience of the British criminal justice system, Rachael found solace and a sense of community in Nice. Please be aware...

Some of the unique voices who have shared their Riviera tale with Patsi Mackenzie. Mid season trail.

Patsi enjoys lunch in Nice with chef Gary Trevisani, who relocated to France after a hugely successful career in Philadelphia, USA. Gary discusses his transition from running a restaurant to working as a private chef, founded on his love of Nice's extraordinary food culture, heavily influenced by neighbouring Italy. He shares his experience of adapting to life in France, from learning the language...

Trailer for Patsi's podcast conversation with Gary Trevisani, who relocated to the Côte d' Azur after a highly successful career as a chef in the USA. Complete podcast launches 23 May 2025.