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Pont-Aven – What to See and Do

Pont-Aven - What to See and Do

Pont-Aven is one of those super pretty little towns in France that you see on postcards, calendars and books for sale on Brittany. It's easy to see why when you stroll through the centre of town, meander along secret paths, cross the flower-covered town bridge or venture out to the port. It really is one of the prettiest towns I've visited. Following in the footsteps of painter Paul Gauguin and the Pont-Aven School painters was also a dream come true for me.

After strolling through the town, harbour and woods, dining on a galette and crêpe, wandering the pop-up antique market, visiting the museum and doing a spot of souvenir shopping, I eventually left Pont-Aven vowing to bring my family back with me for another visit. Here's what I'll be sharing with them when we visit together, and what I think are the best things to see and do in Pont-Aven.

In the footsteps of Gauguin and the Pont-Aven School painters

In the footsteps of Gauguin and the Pont-Aven School painters in Pont-Aven

Pont-Aven is known the world over thanks to the Pont-Aven School and the genius painter Eugène Henri Paul Gauguin. It's long been a dream of mine to visit the town and walk in the footsteps of the painters and discover more about their art and where they created it.

The rustic charm of the river Aven running through the town, secret bridges, ancient watermills, stone houses along the estuary and boats bobbing on their moorings, is what I'd conjured up in my mind from paintings and photos. But, I was not prepared for just how delightful Pont-Aven would be. It is simply darling! The town is also included in the prestigious group of 'Petites Cités de Caractère' or Small Towns of Character in Brittany.

Following in the footsteps of Gauguin, the Pont-Aven School painters and the Nabis artists was an amazing experience and I want to share it with you too. Here's how to walk in the footsteps of Gauguin and the Pont-Aven School painters in the darling town of Pont-Aven in Brittany.

The Thinker by Auguste Rodin – Rodin Museum

The Thinker by Auguste Rodin - Rodin Museum, Paris

The Thinker is a famous sculpture by French sculptor François Auguste René that is part of the collection of Rodin sculptures at the Rodin Museum ( Musée Rodin) in Paris.

The Rodin Museum is located in a classic 18th-century mansion called Hôtel Biron, which is nestled just behind Les Invalides in the 7th arrondissement. The elegant, two-story hôtel particulier overlooks seven acres of manicured lawns, rose gardens, and sculptures by Rodin dotted amongst rows of perfectly-pruned trees.

Édouard Manet – The French Modernist Painter

The Rue Mosnier with Flags - Édouard Manet 1878

Édouard Manet - One of France's Great Painters

The French Modernist Painter - It's been said that if you’re after some of the world’s best art, there’s really no better place to be than France. And while I don't want to say France is the only country with amazing art museums, it is true that the country is home to a wide variety of world-class museums. The Louvre, the Musée D’Orsay, and the Centre Pompidou are grand and well known but there are also many lesser-known museums and galleries to choose to visit.

Paris is an art lover's heaven and I feel you can never visit the city and its famous museums too many times, there are always new exhibitions and installations to surprise you. Visiting the ArtCurial art auction house regularly is a great way of seeing special artworks.

The Beekeeper’s Promise: Book Review

The Beekeeper’s Promise by Fiona Valpy

Fiona Valpy expertly takes the reader into two worlds divided by seventy years in her best seller, The Beekeeper's Promise. Through clever narration she is able to set the differences in time and culture from the period of 1938 to present day. At the same time by highlighting the differences Valpy also reveals that over time and space much of what makes up an individual’s humanity remains essentially unaltered.

This book explores many themes; love and loss, loyalty and betrayal even domestic violence. On the face of it, one could be forgiven for thinking Valpy has tried to do too much, to tackle too many issues. However, her writing is skilled and she sensitively explores events by simply telling the story. She resists the temptation to moralise allowing her characters to live out their circumstances with sincerity.

Louvre Museum Glass Pyramid Turns 30 Years Old

The Louvre Glass Pyramid Celebrates its 30th Birthday

The glass pyramid entrance at the Louvre Museum in Paris has recently turned 30 years old and while it is loved the world over now, that was not always the case. In fact it was a very controversial issue for many years. Most of us however, cannot image the Louvre now without its unique and much photographed glass pyramid entrance.

Daumier the Artist: In My Home

Daumier the artist

“Art is not what you see, but what you make others see.” – Edgar Degas

“You only reproduce what struck you, that is to say the necessary.” – Edgar Degas

Daumier the Artist: In My Home

Do you know much about Daumier? Here is some essential information about this Parisian artist that has been given the honour of ‘providing a critical pathway to the next generation of artists’ which include Degas and Lautrec. More details on the life and works of Degas can be found at Artsy

Annette Charlton

Annette lives with her family between their homes in France and Australia. She’s been featured in International magazines including French Property News, on numerous blogs and travel websites and appeared on ABC National Radio. You can connect on Instagram or Facebook.

www.afrenchcollection.com

A Family In Paris: Book Review

A Family in Paris tells the story of Jane Paech, an Australian mum who moves to Paris with her husband and two daughters. Her family relocates as her husband accepts a two year post at the Paris office of the wine importing company he works for.

Her story is told frankly and intimately of her new home set up, working through the French education system with her daughters and making a new life for herself in the famous City of Lights.

Annette Charlton