Tales From The Blue Coast

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 on the Côte d’Azur. Working in the luxury accommodation sector, Marilou cherishes the lively social scene and environmental consciousness of Nice. Over afternoon tea on the Promenade des Anglais, she and Patsi reflect on the city’s supportive Anglophone network, its cultural richness and vibrant music scene. As well as the ongoing ‘green’ projects that continue to make Nice one of the most appealing cities in Europe.  

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 friends ever since. He expands on his subsequent endeavours on the French Riviera, in photography and personal development. Chris also reflects on his lifelong passion for football, and the vibrant sports culture of the blue coast. As well as the daily benefits of living in Nice with its welcoming atmosphere, strong Italian influence and ecological appeal.

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 (1914-1948) and Diana (1910 – 2003)Hugh explains the sisters’ mutual obsession with the Nazi project, the controversies in its wake - and the questions that remain. He reflects too, on what it is to be a Mitford when a chapter of the family's past casts such a long shadow.

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, its diverse community and the ease of meeting new people from all over the world. She is now intent on securing French nationality and continues to savour the consistent sunshine and cultural richness of the blue coast. Sarah and Patsi discuss the joys - and occasional mishaps - of life on the Riviera. Over a cocktail, in a surprisingly 'spiritual' location ...

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 - decades before the EU project or Brexit. Hugh reveals how his famous ancestor published the bizarre débacle of Îles Minquiers, at the same time reflecting on Nancy Mitford's character, and career. Recorded on the iconic boardwalk of Promenade des Anglais in Nice, where Hugh has lived for decades.

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 well as his decision to make Nice his permanent home with his two children, brought up with the support of his ex wife. Passionate about the Riviera capital, Blake highlights the beauty of Nice and the cultural, societal and historical richness that has brought him to peace. This episode contains references to violence, substance abuse and suicide which might be upsetting to some listeners.

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 the Riviera. Here Emma chats with Patsi about her personal journey to the blue coast, and how she has made an unlikely success of an English styled food business in France.

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 - to the Anglo-Indian heritage that introduced Cliff Richard to his life. David also talks vintage guitars, and finding happiness in songwriting rather than fame seeking. Bonus episode following on from earlier podcast with David and fellow band member, drummer Scott Richman.

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. In relaxed chat with Patsi against the lively backdrop of Nice, Hugh recounts his own journey to France. While offering unique insight to the intriguing Mitford story, from the Norman Conquest to the present day.

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 to the Riviera. Full episode to follow.

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 follow.

‘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 that this podcast contains explicit language and distressing descriptions of abuse, self harm and suicide. If you are likely to be upset by such content, please do not listen.

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 to navigating the many colourful, local food markets of Nice. Gary also reflects on his battle with cancer, and the support he received from the French healthcare system. A deeply personal story, and testimony to the possibility of making dreams come true, on the blue coast ...

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.

Singer songwriter David Zincke and drummer Scott Richman from The Sons of Guns discuss their journey to musical success in Nice. Family members, the band are a long-standing fixture at iconic Old Town Nice bar, Wayne's. With fellow band members Jack Daniel, Aymeric Ardimanni and Frankie Connolly, in 2025 the band signed with Luna Rising Records. They now plan to tour the UK and US but remain grounded in Nice, where their soulful, gentle Americana sound continues to serve their devoted fan base.

Patsi Mackenzie, a writer and broadcaster from the Outer Hebrides of Scotland, spends much of the year on the French Riviera. Captivated by the city of Nice and the people who - like her – go there once and then never want to leave.In the summer of 2024, Patsi began recording snapshot conversations in English on the Côte d’Azur. Her guests cover a wide range of ages, professions and backgrounds. From musicians and historians, to chefs and teachers. All with one thing in common; a devotion to the Riviera. Their personal stories are revealed in these gently probing podcasts, recorded against the lively backdrop of Nice. The show also travels the coast, taking in contributors who work in some of its other popular towns such as Antibes and Monaco.Informative, amusing and at times deeply moving, these individual stories are both a love letter to the French Riviera … and an invite to visit it, at least once in a lifetime.Tales from the Blue Coast launches summer 2025 on all supporting apps.

Patsi Mackenzie, a writer and broadcaster from the Outer Hebrides of Scotland, spends much of the year on the French Riviera. For over twenty years she's been captivated by the coast's principal city of Nice. Most especially the people who - like her – visit once and never want to leave. In the summer of 2024, Patsi began recording snapshot conversations in English on the Côte d’Azur. Her guests cover a wide range of ages, professions and backgrounds. From musicians and historians, to chefs and teachers. All with one thing in common; a devotion to the Riviera. Their personal stories are revealed in these gently probing podcasts, recorded against the lively backdrop of Nice. The show also travels the coast, taking in contributors who work in some of its other popular towns such as Antibes and Monaco. Informative, amusing and at times deeply moving, these individual stories are both a love letter to the French Riviera … and an invite to visit it, at least once in a lifetime. Tales from the Blue Coast launches summer 2025 on all supporting apps.