Known as “the white city”, Tangier stands at the Strait of Gibraltar, just 31 kms from the port of Tarifa over on the coast of Spain, and where the Mediterranean and Atlantic waters converge. The city has a long history as a cosmopolitan trading centre, and given its strategic location, was the subject of struggles between numerous empires, from the Romans and Byzantines, to the Imperial Portuguese and fascist Spain.
In the two previous posts we have explored the Riviera and Southwestern regions of France, looking at art museums dedicated to specific artists. This time, we’ll look at those art museums scattered throughout the rest of the country that are well worth visiting if you’re passing through these towns and villages. Many of these museums, or even some the artists they feature, are little-known not only outside France, but often within the country, even by those who know it well.
In the last post, I talked about some of the wonderful museums dedicated to particular artists in and around the Riviera, that we know well and which are an essential part of our travels to that part of the country. Some are enormous, and need many hours to fully enjoy, while others are smaller in scale but are representative of an artist’s life and artistic output. Heading in a westerly direction from the Riviera into Southwestern France, there are so many great art museums, some of which were the former home of a specific artist, they came from that town or spent a considerable period of their lives there. All are well worthwhile visiting, may be holding a special exhibition, and will surely enhance an exploration of that region.
We have often been asked by fellow travellers if we know of any museums dedicated to specific artists or writers in particular regions in France. It’s always such a delight to come across a town or village with such attractions that enhances a visit, or becomes the reason to visit. There are indeed so many of these museums throughout the country that I have compiled a list, region by region. I would like to encourage any readers who have come across an unexpected treat that isn’t listed, to let me know so I can add it to the list for others to discover and enjoy.
In the last two stories, we’ve followed two of the Medieval pilgrimage routes through France down to the border town of Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port, where they all converge and head into Spain and across to Santiago de Compostela. All the routes offer an opportunity to explore some of the loveliest countryside and historic towns and villages in France, and this next route is no exception.
