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2006 Programs & Events
Ambassador's Visit to Aix-En-Provence and Arles
July 7-8, 2006
On July 7, the Ambassador participated to the "Rencontres Economiques", a conference organized by the Faculté de Droit d’Aix-en-Provence. He was accompanied by the Mission's Minister Counselor for Economic Affairs. At the Musée Granet, he visited the exhibit "Cezanne en Provence" with conference participants. Then, after a cocktail with the Cercle des Economistes, he spent the evening at the Opera for a representation of “La Flûte enchantée”.
On July 8, the Ambassador visited The Bibemus Quarries and Jas de Bouffan. The site of the Bibemus Quarries provided Cézanne with the strange motifs of its geometric, ochre-colored rock faces, which he painted in the remarkable series of landscapes that herald Cubism and assure Bibémus a place of honour in world art history. Jas de Bouffanis is a two-story Provençal manor house, dating from the late 17th to early 18th centuries, and set in a park which has an avenue of chestnut trees that lend the property a certain air of nobility, a pond with fountains decorated with lions and dolphins, plus a small greenhouse hidden behind a cascade of greenery. The ancient trees of the park and the cluster of six farm buildings, on the edge of the estate today, were to be some of Cézanne’s favorite subjects.
After a lunch with economic and political officials, the Ambassador went to Arles where he visited the Musée Reattu, the old city of Arles and a photo exhibit at "Les Rencontres d'Arles Photographie". He was welcome and guided by Raymond Depardon, Guest Curator for the Arles Photo Festival. The tour was ended by a reception François Barré, President and François Hebel, Director, Arles Photo Festival.