Message from the Mayor
Here is a message, recorded yesterday 24th March, by the mayor of Aix, Marysse Joissans: http://www.aixenprovence.fr/Covid-19-Le-maire-fait-le-point-sur-la-situation. In it, she outlines what is happening and the challenges ahead. She explains the situation with the markets, the homeless, schooling, and launches an appeal for masks for frontline staff. It’s got French subtitles.
The authorities have provided an interactive map to help us locate businesses (food, pharmacies …) that are currently open: https://tools.ccimp.com/covid-carte-commerces/?gv_search=13100&filter_10=&filter_7=&mode=all
There is also a great poster to put in foyers of residences where you can put your name if you NEED help, or to OFFER help. Download here: http://www.aixenprovence.fr/Voisins-solidaires-un-panneau-a-afficher-dans-les-residences
Tonight, church bells all across town (throughout France too) will be ringing for 10 minutes at 19:30, in solidarity.
The Aix tourist office closed on 15th March, but they say they will respond to emails. They have put an Aix-specific Q&A online, in
Aix t-shirt from cdiscount.com
English, which may be helpful as it has info on local parking, buses, parks etc. (I hadn’t realised that the Torse is a no-go area.) But recent government proclamations have superseded some of their info (eg on markets) which perhaps is being updated. https://www.aixenprovencetourism.com/en/blog/information-covid-19/
The usual spring cartoon festival – Les Rencontres du 9eme Art – is now a ‘festival a la maison’. Devotees can go online to dip into various activities. I particularly like the provision for house-bound children of two line drawings of Aix to colour in. Felt-tips ready! One features Cezanne and a funky version of La Rotonde. Download here: https://www.bd-aix.com/2020/03/18/le-festival-a-la-maison-episode-1/
News now from Cannes where the Palais des Festivals should be preparing to welcome the hottest names in cinema onto its red carpet. Instead the Cannes Film Festival venue is opening its doors to the town’s homeless who have nowhere to go during the coronavirus lockdown. The annual festival had been due to take place from May 12-23 but last week organisers postponed the event until late June. The festival hall opened its doors to the destitute on Friday.
“We have between 50 and 70 people here every night,” said Dominique Aude-Lasset, an official at Cannes Town Hall. At the entrance, a worker in a face mask takes the temperature of each homeless person each time they enter the site. Inside, there is an eating area, shower block and communal space with television and games. In a cavernous, low-ceiling room, camp-beds are set up in three long lines. Importantly, there are also four kennels to house man’s best friend.
Great initiative in Cannes.
Recipe Alert: Susan’s lovely tarte au citron, posted yesterday, has been updated with slightly amended ingredients, shown in red. Bon Ap!
aixcentric 
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