Montpellier

19 June

I have to say that despite the picturesque nature of Montpellier and the relative heat of the day (something rare so far this ‘summer’), I spent much of my time in the Musée Fabre, which has an excellent collection of art. One of the best in Europe, they say. But they would. It has just been refurbished, together with a new wing and a new entrance hall and had a special exhibition of Impressionist paintings that had been gathered in from American art galleries. In the early days of Impressionism, when sensible people wanted nothing to do with it, visiting Americans bought up large and the country now has a fabulous collection as a whole, largely gifted by the descendants of these buyers.

I took a break for lunch in one of the many open air restaurants which manage to feed multitudes from a miniscule kitchen. It’s the green one, if you are looking for it in the photos. You can read the word SNACK. I did, however, have a proper meal. The group of 9 NZers who I met on the way out went to the one behind it, on the right of the picture. We are travellers, NZers.

Other than that I wandered the narrow but picturesque streets of the central area, went into the Tourist info place by the great big huge square where the two trams are (La Place de la Comédie – the theatre) and stopped by at a shopping mall that could be anywhere, but does have a shop called JULES. (It’s part of a chain). And resisted buying stuff that would just weigh me down.

On the way home we passed by Pic St Loup, a most extraordinary mountain peak. See photos.

Photos are at

http://picasaweb.google.com/101628277989220379025/Montpellier