Mucem: Museum of European and Mediterranean Civilisations, Musée des Civilisations de l’Europe et de la Méditerranée, Marseille, France Sometimes, when you see that there is a really hyped museum, you can’t help but be carried away by the idea that it’s going to be great. Then, when you’re somewhat disappointed, you walk away feeling kinda grumpy. And, if you’re me,…
We’ve Invented Nothing!: Products, Commerce and Gastronomy in Ancient Rome, On n’a rien inventé ! Produits, Commerce et Gastronomie dans l’antiquité romaine, Museum of Marseille’s History, Marseille, France Sometimes it feels like the modern world has an obsession with food which is unlike anything European society has experienced before. Social media is playing its part in exaggerating the natural…
Granet XXe Collection Jean Planque, Aix-en-Provence, France It’s an interesting juxtaposition for the modern art of Aix-en-Provence to be housed in a pretty little chapel built in 1654. It’s been adapted to house the impressive collection of Jean Planque, which is 20th century heavy, and made up of works which he sometimes got straight from the artists, which is pretty…
Granet Museum, Musée Granet, Aix-en-Provence, France It’s not surprising that the smart, prosperous town of Aix-en-Provence has a major art gallery – especially considering the fact that two major artists were born here. Before the start of the French Revolution, the town hall housed a collection of historical and archaeological objects and in 1821, a cabinet of curiosities belonging to…
Cathedral of St Saviour, Cathédrale Saint-Sauveur d’Aix-en-Provence, France The elegant town of Aix-en-Provence has an unexpectedly low-key cathedral. There isn’t a huge square in front, there’s only one bell tower, and the outside looks a tad decrepit. Once you go inside, however, the dark interior gradually brightens up and offers a cosy space for exploration and worship. The cathedral is…
Lugdunum Museum, Lugdunum Musée, Lyon, France If you first approach the Lugdunum Museum from the base of the Roman Theatre, you may be struck by the bunker-like quality of the architecture. Depending on your aesthetic sense, your heart may drop. You may get a flashback to the days of the Cold War. You may think, ‘Why? O why?’ But don’t…
The Theatre and Odeon of Lugdunum, Lyon, France France is blessed with many fine Roman archaeological sites. So many cities in the south of the country have ancient origins and by just walking around the streets you can see evidence of the Roman period in dramatic remains like amphitheatres, or more mundane sights such as reused stones in houses. On…
Museum of Fine Arts, Musée des Beaux-Arts, Lyon, France Knowing that Lyon is one of France’s most culturally significant towns, I had high hopes for its Museum of Fine Art. The museum is housed in an important former abbey, which has its origins in the 6th century. In 1659, the abbess Anne de Chaulnes began construction of the Royal Abbey…
Yokainoshima, Spirits of Japan Exhibition, Confluence Museum, Lyon, France If there is an exhibition on about Japan – I want to see it. I have an old, old fascination with the country, and its wonderful culture, and this exhibition at the Confluence Museum promised to be fun. After all, it was advertised with this lovely photograph: Gee, ain’t they cute?…
Confluence Museum, Musée des Confluences, Lyon, France When planning a trip to Lyon, you will be struck by the hype for the Museum of the Confluence. It’s a striking new glass building, opened in 2014, perched on an island on the Rhone, and it has a glossy modernity that promises an attractive museum-going experience. In France, where so many museums…
Aigues Mortes Salt Marsh, Salin d’Aigues Mortes, Aigues Mortes, France Quite honestly, one of the coolest experiences of my travels in the south of France was the visit to the salt marshes near the quaint and perfect walled city of Aigues Mortes. First you have amazing pink waters… and then you have flamingos. Flamingos! In their real environment – not…
Aigues Mortes, France The little walled city of Aigues Mortes doesn’t get much of a write-up in English guide books – it comes across as being a somewhat dull afterthought in the Camargue region. Therefore, when I disembarked my bus, I was surprised to see how bustling it was – it was full of French tourists. So. The French are…