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Article: Russia's New Rich Invade the Riviera; Vodka, Champagne Flow Again on Coast Where Czars Once Played
- Article from:
- The Washington Post
- Article date:
- May 18, 1995
- Author:
CopyrightThis material is published under license from the Washington Post. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Washington Post. (Hide copyright information)
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The thrice-weekly air shuttle starting next month between Nice and
Moscow is just one sign of the changing times here on the French
Riviera. Real estate agents are studying the language of Pushkin,
beach bars are stocked with Stolichnaya, and hotels are hooking up
Slavic cable channels.
Once again, the Russians are coming!
The fabled Mediterranean coastline has fascinated Russians since
the czars conducted annual pilgrimages here to cavort with other
European royals. After Empress Alexandra Feodorovna first came in
1856 and built a superb Russian Orthodox church, Moscow's pre-
revolutionary elite embraced Nice as their primary refuge from the
harsh winters and brewing class troubles at home.