Natives of Nice are punctual people. Especially when it comes to taking their meals. Indeed, for the past 125 years, at noon precisely, a detonation calls them to lunch. Who is behind this tradition? Sir Thomas Coventry. The poor (rich) man could not stand waiting for his shops-mad wife to return from the city centre. He therefore decided to have a canon fired, every day, at noon to let her know it was high time she came home. Today, the tradition remains, but a rocket is fired into the sky instead. The man responsible for setting it off is a pyrotechnist and he can show you how he does it. If you ask with a smile. And if you are on time.
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