Aix markets and museums

Aix food market

After last night's rain, today produced perfect temperatures and sun. First on the agenda were several Saturday markets--food, flowers, and clothing.  All provided photo ops but no purchases.  We walked past many of the ornate buildings, squares, and fountains which make Aix an appealing city.


At noon we took in the first of two intended museums, the Granet, housed in a classic villa.  This museum is actually split between two separated buildings, the original with sculpture, some archaeological finds, and paintings from the Renaissance to early 20th century--a relatively interesting but not exceptional collection.  The renovated Chapelle des Penitents blancs which opened in 2007 houses the Collection Jean Planque.  Planque was a Swiss painter, collector, and agent for the Breyeler Museum in Basel.  He befriended and supported many artists, buying their works and keeping most of them.  Paintings by Picasso, Braque, Cezanne and other well known artists are supplemented by lesser names such as Hans Berger and Kosta Alex whose work he admired.

We stopped for a quick lunch at 2, and then the deluge broke--heavier than last night.  We sat out most of it and made a break when the rain lightened, only to be caught as it increased again.  We made it back to the hotel, dried off, and headed out with our umbrellas this time.

Caumont Centre d'Art

 

The newly renovated Caumont Centre d'Art, housed in a lovely villa (1715+), had a special exhibition on Canaletto and we were quite impressed by both the building and the paintings and drawings of this artist. Fortunately the museum was open until 7, so our rain delay did not impinge on our visit. Before departing we watched a film about Cezanne whose home and inspiration were here.

The final activity of the day/evening was a visit to the local laundromat, resulting in another week of clean clothes.   More rain expected tomorrow but we will move on.