L'Adversaire. Book.

I just finished this book. A lot of people where we grew up have read the book because that's where this awful but true story took place back in 1993. At the time, I had just left home to study in Lyon. We all remember it. You can find the english version of the book here. I read the french version, it's really well written, not sure about the english version. More on the story here.

Les Calanques. Marseille.

This Tuesday, Céline B. and I went for a 6 hour hike in Les Calanques. 15 minutes away from Marseille. What can I say but that it was just beautiful, quiet and peaceful. We even got sunburnt!

Cité Radieuse de Le Corbusier. Marseille

A couple of Thursdays ago, with Pauline, we stopped by la Cité Radieuse - the Radiant City. Sam had mentionned it for a while and I had wanted to stop by but it was not on top of my list. Probably because I'm not a huge fan and I probably don't know enough about urban architecture to truly appreciate it. But here it is,  I finally made it. 

View from the roof above and all three pictures below are taken on the roof. 

At the beginning of the twentieth century, Le Corbusier was a pioneer in studies of modern high design and was dedicated to providing better living conditions for the residents of crowded cities. His career spanned five decades, with his buildings constructed throughout central Europe, India, Russia, and one each in North and South America. He was also an urban planner, painter, sculptor, writer and mordern furniture designer.

He believed that his modern architectural forms would provide a new organisational solution that would raise the quality of life of the lower classes.

In 1922, he presented his scheme for a "Contemporary City" for three million inhabitants (Ville Contemporaine). The centrepiece of this plan was the group of sixty-storey, cruciform skyscrapers, steel-framed office buildings encased in huge curtain walls of glass.

After WWII, Le Corbusier attempted to realize his urban planning schemes on a small scale by constructing a series of "unités" (the housing block unit of the Radiant City) around France. The most famous of these was the Unité d’Habitation of Marseilles (1946-1952).

a little break from France...

I just couldn't help sharing this as I discovered it thanks to Jen's post on Facebook. I'm posting mainly for the picture that I really like. According to Sunset magazine, little Corvallis where I spent 12 years is... green. The article is here.

Il y a longtemps que je t'aime. Movie.

Here is a french movie that I liked. It's a bit intense but very touching. The engligh title is I've loved you so long and you can find details here as it is playing in the US right now, at the Darkside in Corvallis for example!

Cézanne's workshop in Aix-en-Provence.

" Cezanne's workshop offered to the University of Aix-en-Provence by the american admirers of the painter "

So I'm back in France. Took the plane last Thursday, landed in Marseille on Friday. Good trip. And I felt awake enough to spend last Saturday in Aix en Provence, half hour by bus from Marseille. Aix is Cézanne's town, french impressionist painter. We chose to stop by Cezanne's studio. A place that many americans come and visit when they stop in Aix. 

"... it is here that we feel the presence of the painter with the greatest intensity. He created his shelter there, a place of work and contemplation, from where on sunny days, he painted "le motif". On rainy days or really cold days, Cezanne stayed inside the workshop with familiar objects which became the models of his still life paintings : some pottery, bottles, vases, paper flowers or fabrics, fruits, mainly apples, as well as a some skulls. Lots of works, kept in renowned museums, such as "Grandes Baigneuses", were painted in this studio of light and silence."

Villa Valmer. Marseille.

On Sunday as we were walking in Marseille, we stopped by la Villa Valmer. Built in 1865, it has a Renaissance style and it was owned by Charles Gounelle, oil manufacturer, as a vacation house. It's surrounded by a large garden overlooking the mediterranean sea. The garden is open to the public but not the villa.

Marseille. Nice spot to draw.

About fifteen minutes from our appartment, as we went for a walk yesterday, we stopped in a lovely garden by an old villa right along the Corniche Kennedy and Sam decided to draw. He hasn't done it in a while. We sat on a picnic table. I read and he started drawing. Sam likes to use the famous Caran d'Ache's color pens from Switzerland. He prefers the kids color pens.

No. it's not a box full of chocolates!

Happy to be french and american!

I know... it's a little over the top but I got my citizenship so it's only for today, promise!

At the same time today, my thoughts are going to Donna H. who's going through a really rough time at the hospital. 

Book. L'élégance du Hérisson

I found this book delightful and would recommend it. You can find it here in english.

Here's a story with intellectual texture. It's created from the inner worlds of two thoughtful narrators: the super-smart 12 ½ year old Paloma Josse and the guarded 54-year-old Renee Michel.  They live in a luxury building in central Paris where the wealthy residents are arrogant and self-satisfied.  

Renee and Paloma are the exceptions.  Renee is the building's concierge. She describes herself as a short, ugly and plump widow who is poor, discreet and insignificant. But Renee is much more than she appears. She deliberately hides her intelligence, believing it is wrong for her to be smart.  And so the TV set drones in the front room of her lobby apartment, giving the impression to passing residents she's sprawled in front of it, as they would expect. But in reality, Renee is in a back room engaged in her love of the arts. She is a prophet of the contemporary elite, more enlightened than the residents she serves.  

Except for Paloma, who is a wise, old soul in a child's body burdened by the meaninglessness of her world. She, like Renee, lives within the padded walls of her lonely gifted mind, suppressing her talents at school and at home.  Paloma lives on the 5th floor and she disdains her high-brow parents and sister. Convinced life is a farce, Paloma decides to commit suicide on her 13th birthday. She also decides to keep a journal of profound thoughts and beautiful things in the months approaching that day to be sure suicide is the right decision.  Paloma is a rebel of social norms.  

The plot is simple, unfolding with little action or embellishment as it portrays the transformation of Renee and Paloma when a Japanese gentleman purchases an apartment in their building. His recognition of their gifted minds creates a turning point in their lives and brings together these kindred souls.