“The world as we have created it is a process of our thinking. It cannot be changed without changing our thinking.” – Albert Einstein
La belle France. Yet even the most beautiful of gardens have both thorns and weeds. The group Eurocultures invited me to visit Camp Rivesaltes otherwise known as Camp Joffre where we would visit a memorial to some of its darker past. A very short distance from the beautiful waters of the Mediterranean and just the other side of the tracks lies the remnants of a concentration camp.
For nearly eight years I have tried to share with you some of the beauty in my chosen home. However, this scar must not be glossed over nor forgotten.
Dedication of museum by Manuel Valls 2015Inside the new museum
Reisepass
La Fuente Family
A starving child 1941Tools
Belongings confiscated along with hopes and dreams…
Testimony to man’s inhumanity to man.
Though the walls are crumbling and little remains of the buildings, many artifacts are carefully preserved in the new climate protected museum.
Rivesaltes Internment Camp – Camp Joffre opened in 1938 and was not to close its doors until 1970. This beautiful Country has had much pain, cruelty, and suffering inflicted on it and its people. Many of those coming through this camp did not originate in France but may have spent their final days here. With the rise of fascism rampant in numerous parts of the world, I felt it imperative to reblog this post.
La belle France. Yet even the most beautiful of gardens has both thorns and weeds. The group Eurocultures invited me to visit Camp Rivesaltes otherwise known as Camp Joffre where we would visit a memorial to some of its darker past. A very short distance from the beautiful waters of the Mediterranean, and just the other side of the tracks, lies the remnants of a concentration camp.
For over five years I have tried to share with you some of the beauty in my chosen home. However, this scar must not be glossed over nor forgotten.
Dedication of museum by Manuel Valls 2015Inside the new museum
Reisepass
La Fuente Family
A starving child 1941Tools?
Belongs confiscated along with hopes and dreams…
Testimony to man’s inhumanity to man.
Though the walls are crumbling and little remains of the buildings, many artifacts are carefully preserved in the new climate protected museum.
Rivesaltes Internment Camp – Camp Joffre opened in 1938 and was not to close its doors until 1970. For nearly five years, I have shared with you the beauty, serenity and the joy of La belle France. Yet this beautiful Country has had much pain, cruelty and suffering inflicted on it and its people. Many of those coming through this camp did not originate in France but may have spent their final days here.
As I mentioned in the last post, I have returned to share more from the annual L’Art Caché from the charming little village of Albas.
Sylvaine Martel can be found at: http://funambule.e-monsite.com This is not her first year at L’Art Caché and I must admit to staying in this courtyard longer than any of the others. If you would care to see some of her work from last year, here is the link: https://foundinfrance.wordpress.com/2014/07/13/lart-cache-2/ By taking a look at last years exhibit as well as this one you will get an idea of the versatility at her disposal.
#6 is the little girl dressed up, she thinks, like mom. I do love these little figures but no doubt you have noticed.
Sylvaine Martel #7Sylvaine Martel #8
While there were a few more photos, I seem to be unable to post them as my browser keeps quitting on me when I attempt to add certain photos. Have no fear, there are other works to share.
Michel Jacucha stands over a blazing fire melting the metals with which he creates. Here is Michel’s information:
The above house was not officially part of the art show. However, I was unable to resist taking a photo (or three…) and sharing it. When you venture off the beaten track in France, you never know what treasures you will discover. Is it any wonder that art thrives here and that every corner is an inspiration?
Before closing, I would like to apologise to both the artists and readers. Due to computer issues, there were many photos I was unable to post. I do hope you will forgive me.
Carcassonne will always have a special place in my heart. When I first visited France it was with a backpack, rail-pass with eyes and heart wide open! I was privileged to stay within the fortified cité for a week. That six weeks traveling France went by in a flash. The lovely bridge leads you into the heart of the town and all that lies beyond. Between the ancient fortress and the river Aude are a playground, picnic areas and vast parkland. To the rear are vineyards.
La Cité
This ancient Roman town was established around the VIII Century BC, the Carsac oppidum was just two kilometers south of the present city. The town extends over more than twenty hectares on the apex of a plateau protected by both a ditch and the angled entrances. Due to demographic growth it was reorganized around the late VIIth Century. Another ditch was reinforced by levees and palisades of wood and made to protect the new extension. While we don’t know why, the Carsac oppidum was abandoned in the early Vith Century BC then moved to its current resting place on the mound which dominates the Aude plain. Vestiges acquired from archaeological excavations show us that it was occupied from the beginning of the Iron Age up until the Roman conquest. Among the artifacts are drystone walls, grain silos, bronze foundry ovens and pottery. The discovery of the vast number of goods, especially earthenware (amphoras, vases, goblets…) attests to the activities that took place in this colony which was accessible to trading in the region of the Aude and also the Mediterranean basin.
Drawbridge or main entrance
Drawbridge from the insideCité walls left of entranceUn caféWalking along the central path inside the fortified citySweets for the sweet!One of the courtyards inside the walled citéSouvenirs aboundOff the beaten trackOne of the many paths you can takeTo the right of the entrance you can see the moat is often dry these daysBelow the walled fortress the river Aude forks
This little bridge takes you across the river Aude into the heart of the town. If you look closely you can see some delicate metal arches to walk under.At the bottom you can partially see the local boules club
The citadel takes its reputation from its 3 kilometres (1.9 mi) long double surrounding walls which are interspersed by 52 towers. The town has approximately 2,500 years of history which has seen it inhabited or invaded by Romans, Visigoths, Saracens and of course, the Crusaders. It originated as a Gaulish settlement then in the 3rd century A.D., the Romans began to fortify the town. It was annexed to the kingdom of France in 1247 A.D., and provided a strong French frontier between France and the Crown of Aragon.
After the Treaty of the Pyrenees in 1659, the province of Roussillon was included as part of France and the town no longer had military significance. The town became one of the economic centers of France focusing on the woolen textile industry and the fortifications were abandoned.
The French government decided to demolish the city fortifications in 1849. The local people were strongly opposed. The campaign to preserve the fortress as an historical monument was staunchly aided by the efforts of Jean-Pierre Cros-Mayrevieille and Prosper Mérimée, a renowned archaeologist and historian. The government reversed its decision and the restoration work commenced in 1853. The architect, Eugène Viollet-le-Duc was charged with renovating the fortress. Viollet-le-Duc’s work received criticism in his lifetime. Claims were made that the restoration was inappropriate for the traditions and climate of the region. Upon his death in 1879, the work continued under the direction of his former pupil, Paul Boeswillwald and later by the architect Nodet.
If you are interested in the area, may I recommend the book Labyrinth by Kate Mosse. Her descriptions of Carcassonne are excellent and her story weaves in and out of the 12th century and modern day. It was her book that I was reading when I first arrived in Carcassonne.
There are accommodations from four star hotels to the youth hostel within the fortified cité and it can provide an excellent place to stay during a visit. The train station is a short walk away from the centre of town and the airport is nearby. It is not to late to plan a holiday here in the south west of France the summer will be here soon but there are activities here all year around.
From April until well into Autumn, our beaches stay filled. However, for some of us, it is still too beautiful not to go for a walk along the magnificent shore and perhaps enjoy a café, glass of wine or even a meal and stare out to sea. There are bits of obliging wood for writing messages in the sand and the sand is damp which is perfect for castles.
A quiet day at the beachA willing young artist leaves his mark in damp sandWith obliging bits of wood we draw and leave messages on the shore…King of the hill, or at least the sand pileEnjoying the view…to the lighthouse…A few hardy souls!…The sea air does increase the appetite and what could be better?
There is still some time before the tourists begin to arrive to enjoy filling the lungs with salt air, writing volumes in the sand,
While these photos were taken at Port-la-Nouvelle, there are numerous beaches along the Mediterranean which are happy to oblige.
Recently, I attended a wedding in my village. The couple are the owners of our local café and have become friends in the short time they have lived here.
The grand salon at the maire (Mayor’s office) is where all marriages take place in this village. The only official marriage recognised in France is the civil ceremony. If a couple chooses they can arrange to have a celebration in a religious venue but it has no legal bearing. Each village has a maire and would have a room or office where the ceremony would take place.
Le salon du maireHenri, Audrey, Loic, Christian
Here is the happy couple, Audrey and Loic with their two witnesses Christiane and her husband Henri.
monsierur deputy Mayor and a member of the counsel
Weddings are usually held on Saturdays or Wednesdays and begin a 4:00pm. For the most part, they are very casual and brief. The room is not conducive to a large crowd. The couple must have two witnesses and on this occasion, we were a group of about fifteen including the Bride and Groom.
Loic and Audrey sign the register
The deputy mayor is the first to congratulate the happy couple
A small group of well wishers!
In the center of the group you might notice the three boys. The youngest, Mateo, in the middle are the children of Audrey and Loic.
The balcony outside the salon for the ROYAL wave!Loic et AudreyEnsemble
Now we are off to their café to toast Audrey and Loic and their happiness!
Félicitations!
…
Mateo
A few regular’s came by the celebration and joined in.
Presse-citron, the oldest son getting a few tips from dad
L’amour!To the future!Hmm, Mateo…
In this post, I have decided to let the pictures do the talking. I hope you have enjoyed the wedding!
Saturday night and Spring is here. Do you stay at home for a quiet meal with the family? Do you venture into town to dine at a restaurant? Or would you prefer to enjoy the evening with about 350 of your family, friends and neighbours? In my humble opinion, it didn’t take long to decide especially with Paella on the menu. As all meals, this begins with an apéritif and a social hour or two… The evening began at 19h30 (7:30pm) and dinner begins to be served about two hours later..The room will fill quickly but this first photo gives you an idea of how the tables are laid out. The tables are filled with bottles of water and a variety of wines. Fresh baugettes are passed around and added as needed. There are always a few courses and this will be no different. After the paella there is a cheese course then glasses filled with a creamy panna cotta with a raspberry sauce and fresh raspberries. Despite the effort to leave space for dancing later, it would not be possible initially. Never fear, this is France and room is always created for Dance once the food has been eaten. However, the paella pans are so large, each one will need a table in the aisles to support it as plates are loaded.
Muscat, rosé…, que voulez-vous boire?
As you enter the foyer, you commence greeting those around you and continue until you have made your way across the room a time or two. There are quite a number of very young children running about and not a collision not a single tear. The stage end of the foyer is quickly commandeered by the little ones. They have found a large flat section of box and it quickly becomes part of a dance/gymnastic routine that is very creative at times. There is music on the side for background at the beginning and the dancing later.
Socializing is what it is all about! Alain, Christiane and Pierrette
Dance, dance, dance…Creative expression!My dear friend Daniella is saving my seat for me. You can see my camera case on the end.Paella… bon appétit!Mangez, mangez…
As the initial hunger pangs are quieted, conversation resumes.Josiane with family and friendsAmis!
Le maire, just re-elected!
a last dance with maman…
A memorable time was had by all and a wonderful way to celebrate community! Bisous, Léa
