French Paradise

I can see why so many famous artists found the inspiration for their art in the region of Southern France. Cezanne, Picasso, Monet, Brauque,... the list is long, and well known.

My host and hostess over this past weekend were Alain and Myrna Magnan, as well as their son, Michelle, and dalmation, Nemo. Their home is in Bouc-bel-air, which is a small town situated inbetween Aix-en-provence, and Marseille. The property owned by the Magnan family has a natural beauty about it that is classically french while at the same time very unique within it's community and region. It is the most relaxing place that I've ever been to, after Georgain bay; and anyone who knows me would know that that is the ultimate in compliments.

Alain is just about to retire from his career as an astrophysitist with CNS (the european equivalent to the American's NASA) after the launch of the satellite he has been developing for the past 10 years. While his career has been focused around cutting edge science and technology from which todays science fiction is based, Alain's artistic side can be seen in the beautiful oasis of a property that he has created. Over the last 30 years he has transformed his ~1.5 acres into a lush green garden which strikingly contrasts to the much dryer, arid french landscape. His art is not in the form of manicured lawns or sculpted bushes; instead it is perfect in the most natural way possible. He has brought plants back from many of the places he's travelled to; and his ponds, full of goldfish and carp, also contain wild irises from Georgain Bay, and even pink waterlillies from Canadian Tire :)

His main garden contains a mixture of flowers and vegetables such as peppers, cucumber, eggplant, melons, tomatoes, lemons, olives, even tangerines. And around the property you can find trees bursting with apples, pears, peaches, cherrys, plums, appricots, figs, almonds, walnuts,... and I'm sure there were more that I've forgotten. Needless to say I feasted on all of the fruit in prime season. Vines, some with grapes, encase the 2 houses on the property. After entering the front gate the first house is now the guest house, and then as you continue up the winding driveway, past the beehives where they make their own honey, you come to the garden, the main house, and then finally the swimming pool! This gorgeous pool is the only way to cool down in the afternoon's +35 degree heat.

Although I missed out on seeing the renowned Cezanne exhibit currently on in Aix, I did manage to see another gallery showcasing some work by Georges Brauque. Myrna, who is an English professor at a university in Marsielle, was able to give me some insight into the fauvism and cubism styles, and the many influences of different periods and painters that we saw.

Saturday night Micheal, the middle child, was my official tourguide as we walked around the city of Aix-en-provence. We stopped at a cafe for some drinks, and did lots of people watching. There is a good reason why the town is called the 'City of Fountains'.

Early Sunday morning Myrna and Alain took me for a hike up one of the huge hills close to their house. From there, in the early morning, the views were spectacular. On one side you could see Aix, and on the other side Marseille and the ocean, as well as Cezannes famous mountain which he's painted about a million different times from every angle possible.

That afternoon Michelle left for Paris, and we were off to a french garden party with some of the "socialites" of Aix. Quite fun, excellent food, and although I couldn't understand all of the conversation, I knew enough to tell that the majority of it was around that evening's football game. Unfortuantely France lost the worldcup final to Italy in a shootout, 3-5. :(

Monday I slept in a bit, and then the three of us headed east along the coast to the other side of Marseille to have lunch at a very nice, extremely secluded, restaurant that even many locals don't know about, let alone any tourists. You have to walk to get there, or access the area by boat; no cars. I love fresh seafood! The water was an amazing bright blue and turquoise, and the shore is all grey limestone with many sharp cliffs that drop off into the mediterranean.

That afternoon I had one last swim in their pool, and a gazpacho dinner with some of their friends; and then at 11pm I was back on the bus on my way home to Barcelona.

I could very easily get used to such a glamorous lifestyle!!! It was such a treat to be so thoroughly spoiled. I could not have wished for a more perfect first impression of a country. Wonderful food, scenery, art, gardens, and of course company; I cannot wait to return. The plan is to visit their chalet in August. I am so lucky! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chamonix

~ Saludos a todos