Year of Picasso

In the south of France there is always something going on with the impressionist painters and their influence, so it seems! In Aix en Provence, they continue to emphasize Cezanne, the name is now synonymous with Aix en Provence. Exhibitions of Cezanne this year are combined with Picasso works since it is a celebratory year for Picasso. The Musee Granet has an exhibit running to September 27: www.museegranet-aixenprovence.fr Nearby at the Chateau de Vauvenargues, where Pablo Picasso and his wife lived briefly, and where they were both laid to rest after their deaths. The chateau is privately owned, but the owners are making it available to the public for some limited visits. For more info, see the Aix office of tourism.

Nearby at Les Baux de Provence and the Cathedral d'Images, a Picasso exhibit will last all year. This stop is easily made on many of our Provence cycling and multisport tours. More information see: http://www.cathedrale-images.com/index.htm

Also, in Antibes, one of Picasso's favorite places and site of the Picasso museum, there is more:


Picasso, 1945-1949 : l’ère du renouveau (Age of Renewal)

Exhibition 28th March to 14th June 2009 at the Picasso Museum, Antibes

Since summer 2008, the Picasso Museum has reopened its doors. After two years of renovation work mainly focussed on safety, accessibility and climate control, the public has discovered a new museum offering more comfort for visitors and better preservation conditions for the works of art exhibited. This reopening means the return of the museum collection to its visitors and the planning of temporary exhibitions for the years to come.

The first of these, “l’Ere du renouveau” (the Age of Renewal) from 28th March to 14th June 2009, will be the occasion to see in a new light what is often described as Picasso’s Antibes period. From the vanitas of winter 1945 darkly influenced by the war years, to the creations filled with light at the end of the 1940s, the exhibition will be composed of approximately 200 works of art (paintings, sketches, ceramics) from important public and private collections, including certain works created during his stay at the Grimaldi castle but kept by the artist, which will now come back to the studio where they were conceived. Thus the artist’s production will be put into context over a wider period of history, situating the “Picassos of Antibes” in a creative and particularly rich chronology during those happy years, of which the painting La Joie de Vivre constitutes a sort of emblem.

NB The museum will be closed for exhibition preparation 10th – 27th March and for several days from 15th June (contact the Museum for exact closure dates, and dates of guided visits).

Practical information : Open all year, closed on Mondays and French bank holidays (1st Jan, 1st May, 1st Nov & 25th Dec). 16th Sept to 14th June : 10am – 12am and 2pm to 6pm

Provence Cycling - Customer Experience

Pure Adventure: Provence France Trip

After literally traveling on planes, trains, and automobiles for 24 hours, we arrived at our hotel outside of the walled-city of Avignon in the Provence region of Southern France. We could barely keep our eyes open through dinner that first night.

The next morning we awoke, eager to try out our rental bikes. I couldn’t wait to go sightseeing by bicycle…without a big group of American tourists, without a guide, without a SAG wagon, and on nobody else’s schedule but our own. The self-guided bike tour with “Discover France” was the perfect arrangement for us. We felt like we were totally on our own, but we could them call for help if it was really needed.

The bikes were the hybrid style, with a wide padded seat, upright handle bars, shock-absorbers on the seat post, and big baskets in front, presumably to carry wine, cheese, and baguettes. These bikes were built for comfort. We put on our helmets, loaded up the water bottles and snacks, checked our maps, and we were off!

Our itinerary called for us to cover about 25 miles a day at a leisurely pace including time for lunch and visiting many sites of interest unique to the area. Let me share a few of those places with you.

The first day, after going through many small towns, we arrived at one of the main attractions for the day, the majestic Pont du Gard. The roman aqueduct, built in the year 19 BC, is a giant stone bridge that spans across the wide river with huge arches. Once we were on the bridge, we peered over the edge of the stone wall hundreds of feet above the water. There was no fence or safety net to prevent tourists from plunging into the river and then suing the government. I guess that’s mostly in America where we worry about things like that. Typically our hotels were always located at the top of a hill, which meant a steep climb at the end of the day. However, there was always the fabulous Southern France dinner as a reward (remarkably similar to California Cuisine, so we felt right at home), as well as inexpensive local wines, wonderful desserts, and to top it off, my personal favorite, the cheese plate, at the end of the night.

On another day we rode through medieval villages, then onto rural farm roads past vineyards, colorful fields of flowers, olive trees and fruit orchards, finally arriving at Chateau Tarascon, a 14th century castle situated on the Rhone River. The huge castle was quite a fortress with beautifully woven intricate tapestries on the walls dating back over 700 years, but was otherwise empty. The most interesting rooms looked like small stone closets. In the center of these rooms, which were actually the ancient bathrooms, there was large hole in the floor. When I looked through that hole, I was surprised to see straight down to the flowing river three stories below! People always complain about the bathrooms in certain European countries. Needless to say the French have come a long way from those days, although the concept of a shower curtain still escapes them for some reason.

Towards the end of the trip we visited the old Roman city of Arles near the Mediterranean Sea. When we arrived here for the evening, we were greeted by mosquitoes that obviously thrive in the Mediterranean climate. The suggested packing list provided by Discover France had included insect repellant, but unfortunately I did not paid any attention to it. As result, we were swatting at bugs the last couple of miles to the hotel. Luckily this one hotel was not at the top of a hill.

Van Gogh lived in Arles for two years of his life and did many paintings here before being sent to the insane asylum. We visited the museum with many of his paintings plus many old ruins like the amphitheater and the public baths that had been built by the Romans when they invaded Southern France over a thousand years ago. There was also a coliseum that still held events like bull fights to this day. Later in the day we saw an amazing event. In the evening as we were walking on the crowded main street though town, we heard a loud noise approaching like thunder. Suddenly the crowd parted as a group of large white horses galloping at full speed herded a pair of huge bulls right past us. At the end of the long street they were escorted up a ramp and onto a truck waiting to take them home after the day’s bullfight with the matadors. The bulls had only been six feet away from us, again with no protective fences or barrier, and the crowd was buzzing with excitement afterwards.

All in all it was a great trip and eye-opening experience, and we both really loved the bike trip. We are already planning a similar adventure in Spain next year!

Linda K. - California

Press Release: Food & Wine Cycling

Discover France Offers Food and Wine Cycling Tours of France For Less

Scottsdale, AZ—Discover France, the leading specialist in travel services throughout France from Paris to the countryside, features creative food and wine itineraries that offer the best of each region at the greatest possible value to the traveler. Their website features more than 30 different self guided tour itineraries, several in region of which are food and wine focused and well priced far below the guided tour options—an incredible value for travelers who yearn to visit France but are afraid to spend the money during challenging economic times.

These trips offer visitors the opportunity to get more than just a snapshot of French culture and lifestyle--they offer an experience in true cultural immersion at an amazing value. The price of these trips includes accommodation in top quality hotels, expertly chosen routes, and ample support, proving that it is possible to combine both luxury and value. Self-guided travel is a growing trend due to the flexibility it presents and the extraordinary price that accompanies it. Offering support and independence, guests don't have to put forth much effort in order to generate a relaxing and memorable vacation. Here is just a sampling of Discover France’s Food and Wine Itineraries:

Savor the Tastes of Provence: Vineyards and Lavender Tour

On this 8 day bicycling tour, travelers will discover the wines of Provence, from the Rhone Valley to the Haut-Vaucluse area to the Drome and back to Ventoux area. Cyclers will have the opportunity to taste the grand wine of Chateauneuf du Pape, Gigondas, chocolates, and lavender flavored honey. Gourmet stages combine with astonishing visits along the Castle and Abbey route like Rochegude and Grignan; Roman art in Vaison la Romaine; the Dentelles de Montmirail, the fields of lavender at the foot of the Mont Ventoux, and more. Guests will enjoy being hosted in charming hotels such as a luxurious Relais & Château castle in Rochegude, a unique manor house in Grignan, a 16th century mansion in Vaison la Romaine and a typical Provençal hotel in Bedoin at the foot of Mont Ventoux. Dates: April 1 -Nov 1. Cost: 1425 Euros per person, double occupancy; Single supplement: 499 Euros; triples at 1310 Euros/person.

Cycling for Foodies: Explore Burgundy Gastronomy and Wine

Burgundy is hallowed ground for foodies because of its most important treasured assets: wine and cuisine. This trip takes cyclists through the stunning Burgundy region to explore the mouth-watering food and unforgettable wines that make this area so famous. Starting in Dijon, a beautiful city with sites, history, and gateway to vine country, travelers will make their way across the vineyards of the most famous vignobles. As great wine requires great cooking, adventurers will have many gastronomical experiences in the restaurants that are included, but participants can also venture out to explore the many excellent choices available in both Dijon and Beaune on their own. Dates: April-October. Cost: 1544 Euros per person, double-occupancy.

For more information or to see a complete listing of itineraries, please visit the website or contact Loren Siekman at (480) 905-1235.

Cycling in the Loire-Customer Entry

The following was sent to us by Barbara Browne about her trip last fall:

Sept 23, 2008

Wow….in a trip full of gems discovered as we pedal along country roads and bike paths through the Loire Valley, today we came upon the motherlode. The day was absolutely picture perfect for biking. Fair skies, mist burning off over the distant forests, sun kissing off the Autumn chill. Now that we’re in to the rhythm of our biking adventure (and now that we know we can actually cycle that far in a day), we greeted the morning with a thrill of anticipation. It also helped that our Chateau is at the top of a hill so to start our day we coasted for a while before we began to work.

The first part of the morning took us along deserted rural roads and pathways, and through some tiny villages one of which we stopped at for a sip of café au lait and chocolat chaud. We sat on the small sunny patio and were entertained by the resident German Shepherd who we dubbed “Rocky” due to his obsessive love of retrieving and carrying rocks. We quickly became his friends as we indulged his obsession.

The road out of town lead us through wooded countryside and past glimpses of pastures and stone farm buildings We have taken picture after picture of cows, goats and one day, a lama. It’s not that we haven’t seen such animals before (Canada does have farms). It’s just different when you are cruising past them at arm’s length on your bicycle and can actually make eye contact.

It was as we rounded a curve and emerged from the forest that we were greeted by one of the most memorable and beautiful vistas of our trip thus far. In front of us stretched a field of pink, yellow, blue and purple wild flowers. In the distance, seemingly rising from the wild flower field and crowned by a sun-filled sky, a castle’s slate blue turrets gleamed. It was like entering a fairytale scene you’ve only ever imagined before, only ever so much more vivid than your imaginings. We immersed ourselves in the scene for many minutes, drinking it in with our eyes, standing in the field of flowers and snapping picture after picture from every imaginable viewpoint, hoping to take from it some small snippet that will bring us back here, if only in memory. Reluctantly, we left the field of wildflowers behind and approached the castle itself. It was deserted, closed for mid day. But it didn’t matter; though the day was only half over and more delights were to come, we were content.