Monday, July 10, 2006
St Paul de Vence, France, 29 May 2006: Fondation Maeght
Modern Art In The Forest
 One kilometre, or a 15-minute hike, from the medieval walled city of St Paul de Vence, Fondation Maeght houses an important modern art collection. The museum's clean lines and distinctive parabolic roofs blend gracefully into the tranquil forest surroundings.   |
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The museum's garden is a treasure trove of sculpture. Animal-like totems stand solemnly in the shadows as soft sunlight filters through the dense foliage. A small chapel sits at the garden's end. Brague's stained glass window lets in coloured light. Trickling water bubbles through the innards of Bury's fountain, bringing the articulate steel limbs to animated life. |
Labels: architecture, art, Cote d'Azur, fountain, France, museum, sculpture
Saturday, July 08, 2006
Antibes, France, 25 May - 2 June 2006: Marina And Vieuxville
Pursuits, Gentle And Genteel
  Antibes is three train stops east of Cannes. From the train station, bear right and walk about 15 minutes through the city centre. Soon the boulevard opens to the Mediterranean Sea, where swaying palms and intense indigo waters warmly invite. Head to the water edge. On the left, spy a small public beach with sunbathers basking contentedly, and tall yacht-mansions berthed dowager-like in the marina beyond.  |
  Antibes boasts an exceptional deep sea harbour and several premier marina. Luxury crafts - small, large and gigantic - of the rich and famous find ersatz homes in the ports of Antibes. |
   The old town, Vieuxville, sits on a peninsula. A small winding road, edged by antediluvian stone ramparts that ward off the Mediterranean's rampaging waves, leads to it. |
 Solid old stone townhouses line the meandering cobbled streets of Vieuxville. Dense bright, almost palpable, sunlight casts sharp opaque shadows in the hidden recesses and corners of the buildings, throwing features and details into high relief.    |
 The townsquare of Antibes Vieuxville hosts a visiting German School Band. Shaded by an ancient tree, the band performs ABBA medleys and marching songs. The drummer is off-sync in 'Dancing Queen' but now redeems himself impressively with an explosive drum solo. |
  Retrace the way back to Antibes' modern city centre. In the square before the Grand Hotel, water fountains leap to life. Transfixed, sunbathers pay obeisance to the sun. |
 Back at Gare SNCF, Antibes. Rest and ruminate over the intricate patterns of train signal cables stretched taut. Others, more passionate, partake of delicious afternoon delights.  |
Labels: Cote d'Azur, fountain, France, history, music, sea, transport
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These are the 30 countries that I have ever set foot on. Airport stopovers don't count!
