Benches like this line the Juan-les-Pins boardwalk, a zone with numerous sidewalk cafes or vendors. These benches are full of people on sunny days. Early in the morning, before the sun warms the air or sea, a few bathers can be seen emerging from the water and sitting on benches to brush sand off their feet before putting on shoes. At the end of summer, the tourists leave and locals and pets return to their "place" the benches.
Other benches, like the one shown below, are usually less crowded and offer spectacular views of the sea.
This view of the Mediterranean (at Juan-les-Pins) is from a bench just above a private beach and restaurant by the boules field at the pinede. You can usually find a private place to sit from which you can see but are not seen. The view is the the Port Gallice in the distance. These benches offer a type of therapeutic value.
The pinede (or pine woods) is a small park in the center of Juan-les-Pins with winding paths, a play ground and carousel, and of course, petanque fields. It is also the site of the jazz festival. Hotel workers sit on benches on their breaks and many light up a cigarette. Friends meet friends. Parents and grandparents watch over small children. Benches serve an important social function!
This empty bench is probably a bit too noisy given the proximity to the road (the western point of Juan-les-Pins) even though it overlooks the sea.
Benches in Gainesville range from those with spectacular views of Paynes Prairie, to the meditation benches near Lake Alice or the smaller and less significant. But right now, it's far too hot and muggy to enjoy a bench here unless . . . you have purchased a pair or ill-fitting shoes.
A bench overlooking a retention pond on the rails trails, Southeast Gainesville. This bench probably sees lots of activity in the cooler late afternoons or evenings if the Florida mosquitoes are not out!
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