Travel to the Dordogne, via Toulouse
Mar 14th, 2019, 12:31 PM
#21
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Thank you all for your guidance. Travel plans made! I've added 2 days before the workshop to wander Toulouse and go to Albi. Another day after the workshop, to do who knows what
@rocket79, @Stududley, @Christina, @PalenQ, and others: I really appreciate your suggestions re: side trips/sights in Albi (so excited about the Toulouse Lautrec museum!), transportation tips, boat options, etc. Thank you again.
@Tomboy: FWIW, I loved to draw as a kid, and I've taken up oil painting as a newly retired person. While I've done lots of painting in the studio, my goal with this workshop is learn painting 'en plein air' . This seems like a great place to learn to do exactly that.
@Stcirq, I hear you ... if you want to paint, just paint! I imagine you have a blast doing that in Morocco and elsewhere. But here's the thing: you can make pasta in your own kitchen, but I have some pretty great memories from a cooking class I took in Sicily! For that matter, every kid who studies abroad could learn the exact same things in their local college ... or online, for that matter ... but getting to know (and work alongside) a community of like-minded people, in another culture is enriching, and, can lead to lifelong friendships. There's something about the totality of the experience that is more than the sum of the parts. And, the right teacher can provide incredible value ( Dean is a gifted teacher -- I know from personal experience).
In any case, thanks for your perspective. I don't really disagree with you, both ways of developing your art are valid (on your own, and with others). My ultimate goal is to gain a foundation during this workshop, that I will continue to build on, wherever I travel. Some day, we should meet up at Chez Fred to continue this discussion (and sketch on location)!
@rocket79, @Stududley, @Christina, @PalenQ, and others: I really appreciate your suggestions re: side trips/sights in Albi (so excited about the Toulouse Lautrec museum!), transportation tips, boat options, etc. Thank you again.
@Tomboy: FWIW, I loved to draw as a kid, and I've taken up oil painting as a newly retired person. While I've done lots of painting in the studio, my goal with this workshop is learn painting 'en plein air' . This seems like a great place to learn to do exactly that.
@Stcirq, I hear you ... if you want to paint, just paint! I imagine you have a blast doing that in Morocco and elsewhere. But here's the thing: you can make pasta in your own kitchen, but I have some pretty great memories from a cooking class I took in Sicily! For that matter, every kid who studies abroad could learn the exact same things in their local college ... or online, for that matter ... but getting to know (and work alongside) a community of like-minded people, in another culture is enriching, and, can lead to lifelong friendships. There's something about the totality of the experience that is more than the sum of the parts. And, the right teacher can provide incredible value ( Dean is a gifted teacher -- I know from personal experience).
In any case, thanks for your perspective. I don't really disagree with you, both ways of developing your art are valid (on your own, and with others). My ultimate goal is to gain a foundation during this workshop, that I will continue to build on, wherever I travel. Some day, we should meet up at Chez Fred to continue this discussion (and sketch on location)!
Last edited by ronniehu; Mar 14th, 2019 at 01:19 PM.
Mar 14th, 2019, 01:52 PM
#23
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This is from my Languedoc Itinerary that I send to people who request it on Fodors.
Albi***
Thursday
Head out early to visit the beautiful city of Albi***. This is one of our favorite small cities in France. Get out the Red Guide to find your way into central Albi. You will enter at #6 and follow the road south across the bridge. From this bridge, there is a fabulous view of Albi. Just after crossing the bridge, you are in the old section of town. Look for the underground parking lot (it’s huge), and park there. Emerge from the lot, and retrace your route to take some pictures of Albi from the bridge. Albi closes up tightat lunchtime - except (June through Sept) for the fabulous Cathedral Ste Cecile***. My Green Guide says that the Toulouse Lautrec Museum** is closed for lunch (except July & Aug), but I’m not sure that’s the case. Perhaps call ahead (number is in the GG) to confirm opening times. Toulouse Lautrec is one of the few artists that I like (particularly the "poster art" for which he is probably best known), and I really enjoyed this museum. It’s located in the Palais de la Berbie*+. Don’t miss the formal gardens outside the palais. Albi is an interesting town to just wander in. There are informational plaques (also in English) affixed to the outsides of buildings. They describe the architecture & related historically significant events. Many of the old buildings had fallen into disrepair and had been slated for demolition in the 1970s. Instead, the City had refurbished them & they now provide “social” (low- income?) housing. In addition to viewing Albi from the Pont du 22 Aout 1944 (the bridge by which you drove into Albi), view it from the old Pont Vieux. To get the absolute best view of Albi from a distance (and from where the picture in the Green Guide was probably taken), go all the way across the Pont Vieux bridge, and then start taking all the streets to the left that you possibly can. You won't be walking on any major roads - just streets that access houses. Keep walking farther than you think you should, until you hit a large wall at a dead-end. You'll see this view when you get there.
We've visited Albi three times - in '03, '04, and in '15.
Hotel
We stayed at the Hostellerie St Antoine in 2015 (prior trips were day-trips from the Gorges de l'Aveyron area). This is a very comfortable hotel, and perfectly located. They have a garage - but we're glad we parked in the large underground city lot nearby in Albi instead. Cost was the same for the lot and St Antione parking.
Restaurant
It seems to me that there are no "fine dining/white tablecloth" restaurants in the old section of Albi. About 6 weeks before we arrived in Albi, I made reservations at a Michelin one star restaurant next to the Palais. When we arrived at our hotel, signs at the reception desk and in the elevator informed us that the restaurant had closed and the chef "had moved on". We ran around to several other "recommended" restaurants, but found nothing at all that appealed to us. We brooded for awhile, and then went to the Brasserie Le Pointie, which was in the large Place du Vigan at the main entrance to old town & just steps from our hotel. We had an enjoyable evening outside with casual dining, and "people watching".
Stu Dudley
Albi***
Thursday
Head out early to visit the beautiful city of Albi***. This is one of our favorite small cities in France. Get out the Red Guide to find your way into central Albi. You will enter at #6 and follow the road south across the bridge. From this bridge, there is a fabulous view of Albi. Just after crossing the bridge, you are in the old section of town. Look for the underground parking lot (it’s huge), and park there. Emerge from the lot, and retrace your route to take some pictures of Albi from the bridge. Albi closes up tightat lunchtime - except (June through Sept) for the fabulous Cathedral Ste Cecile***. My Green Guide says that the Toulouse Lautrec Museum** is closed for lunch (except July & Aug), but I’m not sure that’s the case. Perhaps call ahead (number is in the GG) to confirm opening times. Toulouse Lautrec is one of the few artists that I like (particularly the "poster art" for which he is probably best known), and I really enjoyed this museum. It’s located in the Palais de la Berbie*+. Don’t miss the formal gardens outside the palais. Albi is an interesting town to just wander in. There are informational plaques (also in English) affixed to the outsides of buildings. They describe the architecture & related historically significant events. Many of the old buildings had fallen into disrepair and had been slated for demolition in the 1970s. Instead, the City had refurbished them & they now provide “social” (low- income?) housing. In addition to viewing Albi from the Pont du 22 Aout 1944 (the bridge by which you drove into Albi), view it from the old Pont Vieux. To get the absolute best view of Albi from a distance (and from where the picture in the Green Guide was probably taken), go all the way across the Pont Vieux bridge, and then start taking all the streets to the left that you possibly can. You won't be walking on any major roads - just streets that access houses. Keep walking farther than you think you should, until you hit a large wall at a dead-end. You'll see this view when you get there.
We've visited Albi three times - in '03, '04, and in '15.
Hotel
We stayed at the Hostellerie St Antoine in 2015 (prior trips were day-trips from the Gorges de l'Aveyron area). This is a very comfortable hotel, and perfectly located. They have a garage - but we're glad we parked in the large underground city lot nearby in Albi instead. Cost was the same for the lot and St Antione parking.
Restaurant
It seems to me that there are no "fine dining/white tablecloth" restaurants in the old section of Albi. About 6 weeks before we arrived in Albi, I made reservations at a Michelin one star restaurant next to the Palais. When we arrived at our hotel, signs at the reception desk and in the elevator informed us that the restaurant had closed and the chef "had moved on". We ran around to several other "recommended" restaurants, but found nothing at all that appealed to us. We brooded for awhile, and then went to the Brasserie Le Pointie, which was in the large Place du Vigan at the main entrance to old town & just steps from our hotel. We had an enjoyable evening outside with casual dining, and "people watching".
Stu Dudley
Mar 14th, 2019, 06:21 PM
#26
FWIW, Ronniehu, the Albi cathedral is the model from which Sacre Couer in Paris was designed. Also FWIW, I took up watercolor painting upon retirement; I wanted something 180 degrees different from finance.
Ah, the things I would paint in the Dordogne: rivers....bridges....goose flocks......walnut groves......1000 year old buildings......folks playing boules...... les marche' s .....landscapes with series of distant hills.....vineyards......outdoor cafes.....etc etc.
Ah, the things I would paint in the Dordogne: rivers....bridges....goose flocks......walnut groves......1000 year old buildings......folks playing boules...... les marche' s .....landscapes with series of distant hills.....vineyards......outdoor cafes.....etc etc.
Mar 15th, 2019, 03:27 AM
#27
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Ronniehu, I get it for sure. I am doing an art class too, this fall! I started watercolor about a year ago and I enjoy learning from different instructors, seeking different teaching styles and studios.
I will start out in Quarrente and after we are taking to spend a few nights the Lot and the Dorgdone. It is a hard choice but Stu’s guide, France Magaine, this board, “FInd us in France Podcast” ( they do a lot of above mentioned towns - lots of great info) and the omnipresent internet have all guided me in deciding where we wanted to go after the course. Hope you have a wonderful class and travels!
Rosie
I will start out in Quarrente and after we are taking to spend a few nights the Lot and the Dorgdone. It is a hard choice but Stu’s guide, France Magaine, this board, “FInd us in France Podcast” ( they do a lot of above mentioned towns - lots of great info) and the omnipresent internet have all guided me in deciding where we wanted to go after the course. Hope you have a wonderful class and travels!
Rosie
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