Author Archives: jlionet

The insistent clanging of the seven o’clock bell eventually penetrated my sleep and by degrees I began to be aware of other morning sounds. The raucous, boastful crowing of a cockerel. The trilling of a songbird heralding, rather too gaily I thought, another warm, sunny day. Awake now, I could hear the call of aContinue reading “A perfect Sunday- La Salvetat-sur-Agout”

The new museum of Roman history in Narbonne, NARBO VIA, has been a tantalising presence on the cultural landscape of the town for more than 11 years. The idea of a major new museum in Narbonne, erstwhile capital of Gallia Narbonensis, major port and vital crossroads in ancient times, was first mooted in 2010. SinceContinue reading “A lesson in managing expectations to avoid disappointment”

The rain continued on and off throughout the night with the odd flash of lightning and distant rumble of thunder for good measure. There is something particularly wonderful about being so close to the elements during a storm and yet protected from them. Listening to the rain drumming on the roof from the cosy safetyContinue reading “Here, There and Everywhere again. Part two: Saint Martin de Canigou”

Although many restrictions still remain and we wait patiently for restaurants, cafés, cinemas and theatres to reopen, it was with a light heart and a silly grin on my face that I flicked the button on Vera Van’s keys and heard the satisfying clunk of her doors unlocking. After months of sitting unused she wasContinue reading “Here, There and Everywhere again! Part one: Port Vendres to Banyuls”

I had thought I would be spending my time this spring visiting and revisiting many of the fascinating and beautiful places not far from my home. In my last blog post I promised to share those day trips with you. Unfortunately, since then the number of COVID-19 cases in France has risen dramatically and theContinue reading “Patience!”

On my last trip, a student asked me where was my favourite place to go. It’s a question I’m frequently asked but one I always fail to answer. Usually, I don’t have time to really think about it, so I say there are so many places I love, I couldn’t possibly choose one. With timeContinue reading “Favourite places”

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It’s been raining for three days now. It looks as though someone has scribbled all over the sky with a pencil. Big heavy drips are rolling off the Roman tiled roofs. Birdsong has been replaced by the croaking of frogs. Everything feels damp and clammy. There are few pleasures at the moment. Wandering outside andContinue reading “Longings – Sant Feliu de Guixols”

I’m always telling people how lucky we are to live in a small village in the south of France and I know that we are. We are surrounded by beautiful countryside, vineyards, fruit orchards and olive groves. The Mediterranean Sea is only a short drive away and there are wonderful views of the Pyrenees. InContinue reading “Appreciating what you have”

Apologies for the long silence. I’m getting used to being in just one place for more than a few days. Normally, at this time of the year, I would be here, there and everywhere travelling pretty much constantly, sharing the art, history, culture and natural beauty of our world with students eager to expand theirContinue reading “Confined to home”

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The hall of the station heaves with humanity, pigeons, dogs on leads, cats in cages. The huge screen announces the platforms. Everyone is watching it, everyone poised. On your marks, get set……. the platform goes up – GO! The crowd moves as one towards the platform. Jostling, surging, pushing. The south is calling, the crowdContinue reading “TGV to the south”

When reality and imagination mingle myths are created. Once that myth is born it persists and grows and becomes part of one’s personal folklore. I was seven or eight years old and on a coach from London to Malaga with my younger brother and mother. We were not unused to travelling, but usually it wasContinue reading “Toulouse, la Ville Rose”

After a few days of R&R and time to get a few jobs done round the house, I’m back on the road tomorrow. During the next fortnight I’ll be back in Paris. I’ll be taking the TGV to Provence and the Côte d’Azur and then flying to Spain and visiting Madrid, Segovia, Bilbao, Barcelona andContinue reading “Up next….”

“And after, no one will really ever remember it. Like the greatest crimes, it will be as if it never happened. The suffering, the deaths, the sorrow, the abject, pathetic pointlessness of such immense suffering by so many; maybe it all exists only within these pages and the pages of a few other books. HorrorContinue reading “Bridge over the River Kwai”