See Granet’s lovely view of Montagne Sainte-Victoire again!
Aix life is slowly getting back to normal. The Musee Granet has reopened its doors and it’s free entry until June 30th.
Open Tues-Sunday, 10-18hrs.
Archive for the ‘Miscellaneous’ Category
Musée Granet Re-Opens
Posted in Miscellaneous on June 4, 2020| Leave a Comment »
Aix Market – Observations on the First Day after Lockdown
Posted in Food, Miscellaneous, News, Patrimoine on May 20, 2020| 1 Comment »
Anxiety and Observation …both states were experienced by Susan Gish who describes Tuesday 19th May, the first day of the market in Aix after lockdown ended.
She writes: My anxiety apartment had been narrowed down to an anxiety closet the past few years since we’ve lived in Provence. It took many years from a stressful career, but I finally started to just ‘be’ and enjoy the moments. Unfortunately, with the lockdown and what has been happening in the world, my anxiety closet changed once again. This time into a full blown chateau. Although we live close enough to walk, I stayed away from the center of Aix the past two months. I took my walks away from town into the hills where I didn’t see any people, and got our food delivered. The very few times I walked into town I almost had a panic attack.
So yesterday morning going to the market I was a bit apprehensive. I put on my mask and carried hand sanitizer. It wasn’t nearly as bad as I thought it would be. Hooray! I was really happy to see some of the market vendors that I totally missed. (more…)
Aix: Two Free Fabric Masks for All Aixois
Posted in Miscellaneous on May 1, 2020| Leave a Comment »
Distribution of free washable masks to Aix residents will begin on 6th May at 22 centres around town – I believe that they will use polling stations – open 9 – 18:00hrs.
This is the link which spells out the detail eg downloadable form to complete, documentation you will need, how those without internet access can get masks, etc http://www.aixenprovence.fr/Des-masques-tissu-pour-tous-les-Aixois
Good for the mayor and team of 200 organising all this, and masks from local sources too!
National Theatre Streams Treasure Island
Posted in Miscellaneous on April 15, 2020| 2 Comments »
Robert Louis Stevenson’s magnificent story, Treasure Island, complete with scary pirates will be streamed from tomorrow night for one week.
“It’s a dark, stormy night. The stars are out. Jim, the inn-keeper’s granddaughter, opens the door to a terrifying stranger. At the old sailor’s feet sits a huge sea-chest, full of secrets. Jim invites him in – and her dangerous voyage begins.”
In fact RLS spent over a year in the south of France, for health reasons, and corrected proofs of Treasure Island while living in Hyeres in 1883. He wrote to a friend in 1891, “I was only happy once: that was at Hyeres”.
Here is the link for the show: https://www.nationaltheatre.org.uk/shows/nt-at-home-treasure-island
Recommended for aged 10+.
Marseille – Velotour for all the family…
Posted in Miscellaneous on April 1, 2020| Leave a Comment »
Have you ever ridden your bike round Marseille’s velodrome or over an ice rink? Through the shopping centres Les Terrasses du Port or Centre Bourse? Or across the stage of a theatre? No? Then the Marseille Velotour is the event for you! (more…)
Aix Lockdown – Some Notes
Posted in Miscellaneous, News on March 25, 2020| Leave a Comment »
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!
Tasty is the word at Entre Midi et Deux
Posted in Food, Miscellaneous on February 23, 2020| 1 Comment »
Sometimes it’s a treat to go to lunch where there’s a nice ironed white tablecloth and silver plated napkin rings writes Susan Gish.
The two small, bright dining rooms are not stuffy or fancy at all. It’s bustling, with all of the servers saying, ‘J’arrive, j’arrive!’, but in the end you aren’t rushed. (more…)
Art in the South of France; the inside story
The South of France. Enchanted by the deep blue of the Mediterranean, the olive trees, poppies, irises and that dazzling light, artists found their creativity flourished under the hot sun. My new book takes you on a journey visiting museums and galleries as well as artists’ studios and their favourite painting spots. From Van Gogh in Arles, to Signac in Saint-Tropez; from Cézanne in Aix, over to Nice for Renoir and Matisse, the story unfolds of artists who knew each other and painted together in the warm south. Prepare too to meet colourful local artists who captured their beloved Provence for us to enjoy.
Buy: in Book-in-Bar, Aix, or online. Please click here: /art-in-the-south-of-france-the-inside-story/paperback/product-23586102.html
Aix-en-Provence The Inside Story
My first book tells the story of this fascinating town and introduces .some of the characters who have lived here. With a focus on people rather than buildings, history is unravelled through anecdotes with lots of suggestions of what to see when you visit. Available from lulu.com - /aix-en-provence-the-inside-story
-
Recent Posts
Copyright
Aixcentric
