There was once a villa in Villefranche-sur-Mer I saw for only moments, and the view never left me. It triggered decades of sublime summers. Long walks. Long swims. Delicious meals. A bit of rosé. Curiosity and discovery and that water that felt like my soul was home.

Terracotta tiles tumbling down toward the bay, Cap Ferrat floating in the blue distance, a hedge of deep viridian catching the morning light. The kind of morning that makes you understand why people gave their whole lives to the South of France.

I shared it with strangers, both distant and close by. I shared it with myself. I shared it with no one. And that is why you truly never walk into the bay of Villefranche the same way twice.

And if you want to preserve the stories and memories that matter most in your own life, that’s Reflekta.

FAQ

Where is Villefranche-sur-Mer?

Villefranche-sur-Mer is a small harbor town on the French Riviera, between Nice and Monaco. It sits above one of the deepest natural bays in the Mediterranean, with views across to the Cap Ferrat peninsula.

What watercolor technique does Miles Spencer use?

Miles paints in a loose, impressionistic style — wet-on-wet washes for skies and water, confident brushstrokes for architectural details. The goal is to capture the feeling of a place rather than a photographic reproduction.

What is the Weekend Watercolor series?

Weekend Watercolor is a weekly series where Miles shares one original watercolor painting alongside the story behind it. Each piece is drawn from his travels, particularly the South of France.

Where can I see more of Miles Spencer’s watercolors?

Follow Miles on Instagram at @miles.spencer.artist 

What is Reflekta?

Reflekta is an AI-powered platform for capturing and preserving personal and family stories. Co-founded by Miles Spencer, it exists so that the moments that matter most are never lost.

About the Author

Miles Spencer is a watercolor artist, author, and the co-founder of Reflekta.ai. He paints in the South of France whenever he can get away with it, and writes about adventure, legacy, and what it means to live a story worth telling. He is the author of A Line in the Sand and Havana Famiglia.

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Hashtags: #MilesSpencerArtist, #WatercolorArtist, #WeekendWatercolor, #SouthOfFrance, #Villefranche, #FrenchRiviera, #PleinAir, #MilesToGo, #Reflekta