Christmas lights
Many tourists (and photographers) in town, all of them admiring the Christmas decorations on Plaza Catalunya
Andorra: a room with a view
During our recent trip to Andorra, we stayed in this nice 4 stars hotel in El Serrat, and we had a room with a view…. to take our city-dweller’s breath away.
Hot!
It is extremely hot here now, and it will get worse this weekend, 40 degrees announced, 105 farenheit or higher.
So, this is the place to look for, shady, with some drinks, like this one in Perpinya, Perpignan, the other capital of Catalunya.
Walking on water
It was a very hot day, when we went to Perpinya (French: Perpignan), the other capital of Catalunya. Was watching that little girl stepping on the water, doing her best not to get wet. Or was she doing her best to actually get wet?
Perpinya, the former continental capital of the Kingdom of Mallorca, medium-sized, busy, not really much to see, but excellent for shopping those french delicacies you don’t get in Spain. I just needed my quince jelly, my paté and my creme de cassis! Oh yes, and some wine bien sur!
Collioure, Catalunya, France
Well, this is Collioure, one of the prettiest towns in France. The village (2750 inhabitants) had quite a strong impact on 20th century European paintings. People like Derain, Braque, Matisse, Picasso, Charles Rennie Mackintosh, to quote only the most famous, lived and painted here. Just google around, you’ll find their Collioure paintings quite easily.
The church in the foreground is called Sainte Marie des Anges, Saint Mary of the Angels, and the square building just behind is the Royal Castle, with quite a long story. More about the castle here.
Collioure is basically an extremely pretty holiday spot, laid back, with many many restaurants, bars, 1 disco at least, many hotels, several beaches (gravel, no sand), a short distance from Spain and from Perpignan (Perpinya, the other capital of Catalunya). I didn’t know the place, and I loved it!
Amis d’outre-Pyrenées, une fois de plus, toutes mes excuses pour avoir empieté sur votre territoire!
The Med in Collioure
Well, back from too short holidays north of the border, in what is not Spain anymore, but still in Catalunya. Collioure, a very lovely small port between mountains and sea, absolutely packed full with northern European and French tourists.
It was not really going abroad… Here in Barcelona, the 2 official languages are Spanish and Catalan. And in the northern part of Catalunya, they speak French and Catalan. Catalan will never be an official language in France, as the French government would never allow any language other than French. History of other languages and dialects, or even cultures in France is a long and very sad story. The big bad word is : assimilation.
But still, same culture, same food, same dances than in the Spanish part of Catalunya. I will tell you more about it during the next few days.
Amis d’outre-Pyrenées, désolé d’avoir empieté sur votre territoire!
Barcelona Daily Photo 