A few of the paintings done in France

 Wisteria, Alete des Bains,Fr  wc

 Chateau des Andre, Limoux, Fr wc  Can you find the photo of me doing this small painting?

 

 Le Concept, Limoux square, Fr  pen

 

 Peyriac des Mer, Fr  pastel

a few questions answered

Yes, we used the spiral stairs, all 28 of them several times per day.
Yes, I used that toilet!!
We had over 200 paintings pinned to the studio walls by the last day..Kathy had the most.

We painted a lot even though it looks like all we did was eat!!

Le Monastere was very nice with good beds and great showers with really hot water.  It is decorated with many antiques, flowers and is pretty as well.  The studio was a little crowded when all us were there but nice to have available.  Chris is renovating a new space for a larger studio next door.

a few more photos...yes we painted!!!

Fred & Meg painting in Limoux
Karen,Ann & Fred painting in Alet des bain.

The end of a wonderful experience

All but Meg and Fred are back home again with the exception of the Italian group who are staying a bit longer. The trip home was a very long and, we say, grueling day.
It was a wonderful adventure getting to see so many beautiful villages and areas. Many we were able to paint and some only photograph for future reference. We are planning for the special show in November, sure to be beautiful.

Thank you to Neil for putting the trip together, to our spouses who managed without us, and to the artists who all got along well. Chris, Isobel, and Fabiyan were great hosts, drivers, cooks,and travel guides....thank you all as well. We have had several discussions about where to go "next time". As we are ready to pack our gear....well, maybe in a few months at least!!

Photos...Chris our host and Isobel with her son Clement who went with us when there was room and biked with Chris while we painted, often 10 miles or so.

Our last day in France

We visited the market this morning and found a few more treasures to pack in the suitcases. I found some lovely silk scarves in a small store that previously had been closed each time we walked by it.
A cup of capuchino in our favorite cafe refreshed us for a bit more shopping and picking up some lunch.

Chris had some places for us to paint in the afternoon but weather is too chilly so we continued to sightseeing and take photos for reference.

Now to pack up the gear, enjoy our last dinner at LeMonastere. We leave very earl in the morning tomorrow.

FW: Dinner in Bugarach

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Cucugnan views

to Cucugnan and Bugarach

Today we went south into the mountains again and over to Cucugnan high up. The small village was topped with a windmill that is still in use grinding flour for the bakery to use. Macarrons were the favorite I think and I can say they were very good!! We painted for hours then met at the winery for a tasting of their special bottles. We purchased some for tomorrow night's hour....our last here.

Next we piled back in the vans for the downward trip with a stop at a pottery. The family of potters had several styles but our favorite was that of the bowls used each morning at Le Monastere. Our suitcases will be heavier with the weight of our purchases.

The day ended with the village of Bugarach where we followed the trail to open artists studios then ate a huntsman's dinner at Les Saveurs de Terroin. Our host roasted leg of lamb in the fireplace. We were served duck, pate of boar, deer salami, and delicious vegetable dishes. The desserts were a wonderful selection of every favorite. I had nougat glacee.

One more day of painting then it is off to the USA again for most of us.

FW: Wine tasting

Maybe Marie didn't like the wine? In Cucugan.Fr.



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FW: A Day in Limoux

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We all spent the day here in Limoux. Painting in the square, the park, the courtyard, on a hill covered with vineyards topped with a chateau in the warm sunshine was wonderful for everyone. Sue, Joan,Kathy & I ate pizza at a cafe in the square then saved it for a picnic supper. I sat in the square and sketched listening to music while enjoying the day. Later it began to rain so the picnic was scratched so we ate cold pizza and drank cheap wine then watched a video on the Cathars. Everyone else went to creperie for supper.

Today was a holiday to commemorate the end of WWII with a parade and ceremony in the square. Some French Legionaires stood at attention while the parade of veterans marched to attention. I wept remembering my father's participation in that war as did many who watched.

Rain is forecast for tomorow.....hopefully Chris has a good plan!
.

Paintings by Bruno & Karen

Paintings by Meg & Marie

monday to Rennes-le-Chateau

A day in Collioure

This is the photo that should have gone previously!!

Paintings by Fred and Ann

Paintings by Floyd and Joan

A day in Collioure

We left early this morning to drive south east to a town on the shore of the Mediterranean. It was filled with tourists but a beautiful , colorful collage of buildings as it climbed up and down th e sloped terrain. We sketched, painted and walked.

On the way home we stopped for photo ops of Carcasonne, the walled village to the north. Because of a national holiday celebrating the end of WWII little is open tomorrow. After much discussion no one is going there after all. We will be painting in and around Limoux instead.

We ate at Le Cibrollet again tonight, the fish restaurant and she came back here to see our art. SheVe was very complementary to all.

FW: group shots from Renne des Chateau

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painting by Neil & Kathy

Paintings by Sue & Michele

more studio walls

The studio on Sunday

a sunday in Alete des Bain

we left early to return to a village we visited when it was cool and wet. What a difference sun makes!

Bruno stayed back and took on the task of shopping which he does so well. The rest of us found places to paint and worked away until one. Meg,Fred,And Neil returned then everyone else ate in the hotel. Omelettes were again the favorite selection. Then once again to making art. Chris biked in to drive the van back to Let Monastere.

Paintings were pinned to the walls to total about 125 now.

Dinner will be at La Tantina agine but for now we are enjoying the veranda,music from the festival and soon a bit of wine.

FW: Dinner on Friday...dining room of Le Monastere

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I think this was Friday

A painting from Lagrasse

We have over 100 paintings one the walls now. Some only studies and some quite finished.

This is my pastel of the Abby from across the gorge.

FW: Saturday dinner in Le Monastere courtyard

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A beautiful day in Lagrasse

On this Saturday we set off about 9 for the town of Lagrasse..a little south of here. The first stop was an art store with almost everything we could wish for to use. I purchase a few pastels and a small sketch book and others bought materials they had missed or some they wanted to try. Then back in the vehicles for the trip to Lagrasse. Once we arrived Chris led us through the town to see what we should be painting and then back to the cafes for lunch. We ordered panninis and sandwiches which took way longer than Panera!!

I took off after lunch to wind my way toward the view to the abbey which we had found earlier. Eventually several of us placed ourselves to paint the view over the river to the abbey. I used pastels today but could only do an impressionistic version as the wind kept me from straight lines and details. It is amazing how strong the wind is
. I left the site a bit early to pack up my pastels and get to the meeting place on time. These streets are narrow and confusing but wonderful for artists. Surprisingly I find others at a cafe near our meeting site so stop for a bit of vin rouge.

Once we gather to put our gear in the van we walk to the abby for a tour. Fred is still painting away by the bridge and promises to meet us after the tour. It is an interesting tour of this Romanesque abbey then a walk back to the van. Inette meets us with the other car and we all pile in for the return to Limoux.

Our dinner is prepared by Isobel and is served in the courtyard. Petals of the wisteria must be swept up before installing the tables but they keep dropping throughout dinner. We are served salad, salmon, quiona couscous, cheeses and green beans in a glorious display. There is a music festival in the background and the courtyard is lovely. Now for the blog and a few photos from the day.

More Limoux photos

Our room, olives we love

Photos from Limoux

We stayed in Limoux today and painted, visited the market or rested, depending on our own direction. At the end of the day the walls were covered with 52 paintings. Some even pinned double as we need more pins! It was a nice way to spend the day and I think everyone enjoyed the lack of a van ride. The market was fun to walk through and reminded us of the flea markets in Ft. Myers. We bought food for lunch and of course Bruno and Meg keep our t social hour supplied. Tomorrow will be another adventure for us which Chris is keeping until after breakfast.