Art & culture

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MARIANNE, SYMBOL OF THE FRENCH REPUBLIC / Marianne was not a real person. In 1792, she was dreamt up for a song, rather like Eleanor Rigby or Maggie May. Today in France, you will find her image on coins, postage stamps and government documents, and

MARIANNE, SYMBOL OF THE FRENCH REPUBLIC / Marianne was not a real person. In 1792, she was dreamt up for a song, rather like Eleanor Rigby or Maggie May. Today in France, you will find her image on coins, postage stamps and government documents, and her bust is in most official buildings.

PROUD TO BE WRITING FOR YALE UNIVERSITY PRESS / Please be indulgent and allow me to share a wonderful piece of publishing news! It's another good reason for me to love the Pyrenees.

PROUD TO BE WRITING FOR YALE UNIVERSITY PRESS / Please be indulgent and allow me to share a wonderful piece of publishing news! It's another good reason for me to love the Pyrenees.

A DRAMATIC TOMB FOR A FORGOTTEN PLAYWRIGHT / With a poet’s eye for drama, Henry Bataille knew exactly how he wanted to be buried. Although his dramatic output has passed into oblivion, his tomb is unforgettable. It may even give you nightmares.

A DRAMATIC TOMB FOR A FORGOTTEN PLAYWRIGHT / With a poet’s eye for drama, Henry Bataille knew exactly how he wanted to be buried. Although his dramatic output has passed into oblivion, his tomb is unforgettable. It may even give you nightmares.

HOW FAR TO MONTFA? / Discover the connection between this castle and the artist Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec.

HOW FAR TO MONTFA? / Discover the connection between this castle and the artist Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec.

AN ARTIST IN THE KITCHEN / Did you know Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec was an accomplished cook as well as a great artist? Try one of his recipes.

AN ARTIST IN THE KITCHEN / Did you know Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec was an accomplished cook as well as a great artist? Try one of his recipes.

IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF DOM ROBERT / Dom Robert’s tapestries were inspired by nature in general and the Montagne Noire in particular. This country hike visits 11 viewpoints associated with his work.

IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF DOM ROBERT / Dom Robert’s tapestries were inspired by nature in general and the Montagne Noire in particular. This country hike visits 11 viewpoints associated with his work.

WEARING WOAD, NAPOLEON AND A CHARITY FOR SICK CHILDREN / Discover how 19th-century blockades by the British led to Napoleon's attempt to resurrect woad, or pastel.

WEARING WOAD, NAPOLEON AND A CHARITY FOR SICK CHILDREN / Discover how 19th-century blockades by the British led to Napoleon's attempt to resurrect woad, or pastel.

THE PIG FARMER, THE ROMAN TILEMAKER AND NAPOLEON’S COMPANION IN EXILE / Most people visiting Las Cases barely glance at the château. Instead, they dive straight inside the farm shop to buy dried hams, sausages or fresh pork. But before the Malinge fa

THE PIG FARMER, THE ROMAN TILEMAKER AND NAPOLEON’S COMPANION IN EXILE / Most people visiting Las Cases barely glance at the château. Instead, they dive straight inside the farm shop to buy dried hams, sausages or fresh pork. But before the Malinge family started making charcuterie, Las Cases had enjoyed a curious succession of occupants.

LIMOUX, WHERE THE CARNIVAL GOES WITH A FIZZ / The town of Limoux lies on the river Aude 25 kilometres upstream from Carcassonne. It has two claims to international fame: its carnival and its sparkling wine.

LIMOUX, WHERE THE CARNIVAL GOES WITH A FIZZ / The town of Limoux lies on the river Aude 25 kilometres upstream from Carcassonne. It has two claims to international fame: its carnival and its sparkling wine.

RAIMON DE MIRAVAL – THE TRIALS AND TRIBULATIONS OF A 12TH CENTURY TROUBADOUR / Raimon de Miraval was a troubadour who truly lived his art. This poor knight fell hopelessly in love with the wives of the two brothers who owned the bigger château next d

RAIMON DE MIRAVAL – THE TRIALS AND TRIBULATIONS OF A 12TH CENTURY TROUBADOUR / Raimon de Miraval was a troubadour who truly lived his art. This poor knight fell hopelessly in love with the wives of the two brothers who owned the bigger château next door, and in his old age he was tempted to come out of retirement in a bid to save the world, the Cathar world, from destruction by Simon de Montfort and his crusaders.

POETRY SINCE 1324: THE OLDEST LITERARY INSTITUTION IN THE WESTERN WORLD / If you visit the parliament building of Toulouse – Le Capitole – you can enjoy many fine and extremely large paintings in the public rooms on its first floor. But on your way u

POETRY SINCE 1324: THE OLDEST LITERARY INSTITUTION IN THE WESTERN WORLD / If you visit the parliament building of Toulouse – Le Capitole – you can enjoy many fine and extremely large paintings in the public rooms on its first floor. But on your way up the main staircase, take a moment to admire the painting in front of you. It depicts the first edition of the Floral Games, held in 1324.

KEYS TO THE CHÂTEAU / Writing is rarely a route to riches, but when Colin Duncan Taylor moved to France, he found it was a key that opened the door to many a château (article first published in French Property News).

KEYS TO THE CHÂTEAU / Writing is rarely a route to riches, but when Colin Duncan Taylor moved to France, he found it was a key that opened the door to many a château (article first published in French Property News).

LOUISA PAULIN, OCCITAN POET, 1888-1944 / Her work won several prizes, including an award from the oldest literary institution in the western world – the Acadèmia dels Jòcs Florals, or the Academy of the Floral Games, founded in 1323 by seven troubado

LOUISA PAULIN, OCCITAN POET, 1888-1944 / Her work won several prizes, including an award from the oldest literary institution in the western world – the Acadèmia dels Jòcs Florals, or the Academy of the Floral Games, founded in 1323 by seven troubadour-citizens of Toulouse.