aixcentric

… Lots to report from an action-packed Provence.

Down at Sanary, the Photomed festival starts this week.  This is a terrific opportunity to wander round different venues seeing the work of often unknown photographers.  This year, the festival is spilling over to venues in Toulon and Marseille.  Read about it here: http://festivalphotomed.com/ and also here are the press kits for both venues: dp_PHOTOMED_VAR_EN dp_PHOTOMED_Marseille_EN  The main event in Sanary is 18th May – 11th June.  Other venues have different dates.

While on the subject of photography, there is a show which will surely appeal to all Aixois, at the Maison de Sainte-Victoire.  Georges Flayols has spent the last 15 years photographing the Sainte-Victoire from all angles, even from his parapente!  Beat that….

This eco-centre is in a delightful position at the foot of the mountain and it is normally delightful to have a snack  on their sunny terrace while contemplating the view.  However according to the website, the café is closed, so maybe take a picnic?  According to the Aix Office du Tourisme, it’s open daily, but the MSV website doesn’t have details.  Their phone number is 04 13 31 94 70, and it is at Saint Antonin sur Bayon, well sign-posted.  Lots of parking. Free. http://www.grandsitesaintevictoire.com/Decouvrir/Tourisme/La-maison-Sainte-victoire

There’s a new exhibition at the Musée Ziem ‘Martigues, Terre d’Ailleurs De Felix Ziem a Charles Camoin’ which promises to be good – review will follow.

And finally, if you aren’t going to Cannes for the beginning of the 70th film festival, you can sit back in the comfort of Aix’s Renoir cinema and watch the opening ceremony direct, followed by the opening film, ‘Les Fantomes d’Ismael’ starring Mathieu Amalric, Marion Cotillard and Charlotte Gainsbourg.  Wednesday 17th May 19:00hrs.