I could tell it was going to be a nice day,
not a cloud in sight in France's big blue sky!
not a cloud in sight in France's big blue sky!
We were headed to Albi, France, to visit the Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec Museum (link). I have a picture (print, copy) Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec (link) painted for my office and this would be an opportunity to see more of his original art.
I am glad we did because of the small things, being there with his associations, and seeing so many of his paintings in one sitting helped me appreciate this man still more.
My opinion of him? At first he painted fairly run-of-the-mill pictures of people. There may have been a slight impressionist leaning in some. Towards the end of his life he was so intrigued with dancers at the Moulin Rouge (Paris) and prostitutes that that was about all he painted. Well, he was still painting entertainment posters. I would like to have one of those or a copy.
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These are pictures we took at a pull-out along the way. We were staying in Caunes-Minervois (link) which is a short drive from Carcassonne, France. At first there were a lot of grape fields which soon gave way to pastures with cows and sheep.
Then we hit the mountains. From the pictures you might guess were in West Virgina, U.S.A, complete with mills along the river down in the valley. We would next go down into this little town, Mazamet (link), to the market. Thursday (April 23, 2009) was market day for Mazamet. Sorry, pictures, we were to busy eating our food and shopping.
Then we hit the mountains. From the pictures you might guess were in West Virgina, U.S.A, complete with mills along the river down in the valley. We would next go down into this little town, Mazamet (link), to the market. Thursday (April 23, 2009) was market day for Mazamet. Sorry, pictures, we were to busy eating our food and shopping.
I never did figure out what the fields of yellow were. The plants were about height of yellow clover but they were courser and bushier. Anyway they matched the colors of the old John Deere tractor.
The tractor was decoration for the middle inside the turn-about. I went around twice to get the better picture. Of course the road was one way. How could a person miss with nice blue signs like this?
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Lovely views you have captured. The details let you know you are not in the USA. I have to think that the mountainous landscape is a bit different than south-central Texas...
ReplyDeleteWhat an exciting trip that must have been for you. The scenery is beautiful. Thanks for sharing your adventures.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful sight in Paris, how i wish i could visit there someday. happy weekend.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful pictures. Seeing Toulouse-Lautrec's work must have been awesome.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing!
i like his work too! great to see where he lived!
ReplyDeleteI feel like I have traveled along with you! each photo is lovely
ReplyDeleteincredible skies
love the yellow fields
and I like the sudden contrast of the city scene
Nice photos, Jim! God bless you on Skywatch Friday.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoy little snippets from people's travels, especially places I doubt I'll ever see...
ReplyDeleteToulouse Lautrec has always intrigued me. Art then portrayed people doing ordinary things - or in his case, extraordinary things!
Thanks for the info.
~~~Blessings~~~
Great views of the travel, Jim! Looks like you had a wonderful day. :)
ReplyDeleteHappy sky watching!
Sounds like a marvelous trip. Thanks for sharing your experience and photos with us here.
ReplyDeleteHugs and blessings,
What a great looking bunch of countryside. I so love to travel. You two are lucky that you are able to do so.
ReplyDeleteHave a terrific day. :)