a Curious Canadian in Provence : photography, art & renovation!
As a treat for Robin’s birthday, and the ongoing thanks he deserves for our renovation, we stayed for 2 nights at a charming boutique B&B, Mas d’Augustine, near to Uzès in Languedoc-Roussillon. Mas d’Augustine is a former silk farm. It was built in the late 18th century. Before owners, Jane and Gary bought the property in 2010, a lady named Augustine lived in this farmhouse for 98 years.; it seemed only right to name the property after her.
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Well, it’s missing some art on the walls, and a few finishing touches. This is the result of the upstairs room from our renovation in Provence.
I just love the stairs.
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Our tiny house is an awkward triangular shape. This is most evident in the upstairs room and the kitchen. Basically, anywhere you would need to put a large rectangular object– like a bed! Everything has been a compromise to make the space appear bigger as well as functional. Here is some of the bedroom and bathroom transformation from the last 8 months of our renovation in Provence.
The original back wall complete with tiny bathroom and closet. We haven’t decided yet if we’re going to use the best electric shower we can get or go for a different option, but what we did know is that we wanted to install the bathroom where the closet was in order to make use of the small window, or ‘fenestron,’ there that looks out onto Les Alpilles.
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This past weekend, in our small town, there were constant animations of live music, parades, and lots and lots of bull running to celebrate Bastille Day. While visiting Provence, you must see one of these abrivado-bandido events.
Before the weekend tall steel barriers were installed all along the main road to protect against charging bulls. Announcements in just about every language are made to let people know that you just might find an enormous black bull on the road!
The abrivado-bandidos in Maussane occur in the late morning rather than in the evening. This is ideal as, although the young kids who’s job it is to try and stop the bull are younger, it doesn’t attract the heavy drinking pastis atmosphere of the older youths; leading to some pretty dangerous behavior! Last year, we lived in Noves and oh my the whole village smelled like aniseed. Not that I’m anyone to judge with my copious rosé drinking…
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The past few weeks have been wild as we’ve been rushing to get the house done for a certain television show that filmed our house today. More on that later…
The villagers are so curious that I’m thinking we should just have an open house to quench their curiosity. Thank goodness we now have curtains! Yesterday, a couple let themselves into our courtyard and pressed themselves up against the window as we stared back at them in disbelief. Robin was only wearing underwear in the kitchen. The woman saw us looking at her and she just kept pointing to the roof and garden most likely in an effort to hide her embaressment. Unbelievable.
There’s still a lot to do but things are starting to look, I must say, absolutely fabulous. During the next few weeks, I’ll be posting more (I promise) about the immense progress we’ve made. For now, here’s a sneak peak…
See more about Our Renovation in Provence.
I’m originally a fine art photographer. Black and white film is my weapon of choice.
Café de la Place in Saint Remy de Provence will be holding a vernissage with some of my prints on Thursday, July 7th. If you’re in the area, don’t hesitate to stop by for a glass of wine, a chat and prepared to be inspired by, of all things, Spaghetti…
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**The next Transhumance in Saint Remy de Provence is Monday, May 21st
This morning Robin and I drove over the Alpilles to see the Transhumance pass through the town of Saint Remy de Provence. The Transhumance is when, in the Spring, the sheep from the southern plains are led back up to the cooler mountains to graze on the fresh grass there. There are 2000 sheep that pass through the small town of Saint Remy; it’s quite the site to see!
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Yesterday, despite my dwindling bank account, I visited the European festival of nude photography in Arles.
Arles is a town full of history, roman architecture, light blue shutters and has an enormous market. It also fancies itself as the international capital of photography. Every year, it holds two photography festivals. The smaller of the two is the nude festival, which is in honour of arles- native Lucien Clergue. Born in 1934, Clergue is known throughout this region and the art world for his nudes.
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Velleron night market is one of the best producer’s markets in Southern France. It has been continually included within the 100 “marchés d’exception” in France by the Conseil National des Arts Culinaires.
This is not a tourist market.
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These trees can be bought at the “Marché de Sapin” on Rue Carnot that is impressively open 7 days a week until Christmas!
Today and tomorrow Avignon is particularly in the mood for some Christmas spirit. Carols are playing all throughout the town and the fairy lights have been left on!
The main Christmas market (outside the town hall) is open as well as the classy Christmas festivities happening at La Hotel Mirande.
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