By aixcentric Marseille has won its bid to become the European Capital of Sport 2017. It was announced yesterday that it had beaten its rival Sofia to become host to an extensive programme of sporting fixtures, building on its experience of being Capital of Culture. The newly renovated Velodrome of …

By aixcentric When a message popped into the Aixcentric mail-box saying that a new boutique of frozen yoghurts had opened in town and that, on opening the door, ‘you will be instantly transported to the beaches of California’, of course I had to investigate. And frozen yoghurt not being a …

By aixcentric Continuing on my quest to see the photos in the Phot’Aix programme, I decided to stop wandering up side streets and concentrate my efforts on the Cours Mirabeau while shopping. The Hotel des Augustins has about 8 small dark photos in a dark reception area (venue 18)… could …

By aixcentric The annual Phot’Aix programme is now underway: it is showcasing the work of 41 photographers in 28 different locations around town. In principle, this is a great way to highlight new work and also to encourage people into shops, the cinema, restaurants to see it. Unfortunately my attempt …

By aixcentric The Fete du Livre this year has a globally famous writer appearing on 17, 18 and 19th October: Mario Vargas Llosa will be discussing his 2003 novel ‘Un Peu Plus Loin’ or ‘The Way to Paradise’. This is a historical double biography of Post-Impressionist painter Paul Gauguin and …

By aixcentric In parallel with the appearance of Mario Vargas Llosa, the Fete du Livre will be celebrating the work of Philippe Apeloig. ‘Who?’ did I hear you say? Well that was my reaction, but he appears to be a talented and well-known French designer and affichiste. Apeloig had Explore …

By aixcentric ‘Eclats’…translates as glitter, sparkle, brilliance, radiance, and so a good name for this unusual photographic exhibition by a Puyricard-based group. It’s unusual because they have taken the works of Cézanne and used them as a starting point for abstract photos: for instance, they have isolated the brush-strokes making …

By aixcentric Rubbing shoulders with royalty last evening…but actually to find out more about Queen Yolande, the subject of a book and talk by HRH Princess Michael of Kent. Born in 1380 to the king of Aragon, Yolande was married to the Louis II of the house of Anjou, and …

By aixcentric Virtually every time there are ‘travaux‘ in Aix, the archaeologists who precede the bulldozers unearth Roman pottery, statues, funeral urns, drainage systems and stretches of road. Over the years there have been small displays, but the next exhibition at the Granet Explore this Post Via:: Aixcentric       

By aixcentric Next weekend (11th and 12th October) sees the annual Fete de la Courge in Rians in the Var, and it is one of my favourite village festivals: mainly as it is so very un-English. It is an excellent opportunity to see a work-a-day Provencal village, totally non-touristy, celebrating …