Another Art Exhibition

Throughout the summer villages in our region (and all over France ) stage amateur and professional art exhibitions. John scours the local media and we make as many pilgrimages as we can. It is our experience that the number one prerequsite for hosting  a show is that the venue must be in the remotest location possible. Today was no exception. We toured the countryside following little lanes and tracks and of course making guesses when we came to junctions where the signs had run out.   But was it worth it! We eventually found ourselves driving for about half a kilometre between recently constructed stone walls up to the most magnificent gated entrance to The Manoir du Rouergou. However the gates were firmly closed, even though it was within the advertised opening hours. Not to be detered I pressed the intercom and the electric gates opened and we were admitted. We were overawed by the magnificence of the buildings and gardens as we walked up the drive to be greeted by madam La Proprietere. She was charming and didn't seem to mind that we were interupting her gardening. We were the only visitors that day so she had to open up the barn. It was "la piece de resistance"; enormous (125 metres long) with incredible beams.

 
 It made us so want to renovate our loft (bedroom 5). However we have developed our strategy; we will buy a weekly lottery ticket!!

Now for the art work. The artist Fred Bourgignon , now deceased, did not seek fame and publicity but to us his work was wonderful. Lots of abstract paintings in oils with multiple layers of paint worked together with a palate knife. Loads of inspiration for John who already hasn't got enough hours in the day.

If you are interested I recommend that you have a look at their website www.rouergou.com.