The Lorraine Special

The Lorraine region in France has it all going on this month. Below is a brief run down on what’s on in three different areas of the region.

1. Zone Sensibles  @ FRAC (Fond Regional d’Art Contemporain), Metz

    Until 23^rd October 2016 (Exhibition), FREE

FRAC is a contemporary art gallery in the city of Metz. (Which, happily for us is free, no matter what your age.) This exhibition concerned itself with the exploration of maps and our depictions of them. I can’t say that I was crazed about this exhibition, but the last thing we saw made the trip worthwhile.  An ephemeral installation by Nipan Oranniwesna (from Bangkok born in 1962) addresses the final use of paper maps. (See above.) He uses talcum powder to create an imaginary ghost-city. He makes it something tangible, but barely. This piece really takes your breath away and is a great way to close the exhibition.

2.  Festival du Film Arabe @ various locations, Fameck

     Until 16^th October 2016 (Film), from 5 – 15 €

This year sees the 27^th edition of the festival take place. Each day, different feature length film is offered for viewing. For the price of 15 €, you can enjoy a film and a meal. (The meal is either couscous or tagine. With a choice of tea and cakes at a further charge.) This offers you the chance to see films that aren’t part of mainstream cinema (not in the West at least) so really is a great opportunity to see something new.

3. Nancy Jazz Pulsations @ various locations, Nancy

    Until 15^th October 2016 (Music), various prices including some FREE events

This is a fantastic festival. I’m just going straight out there and saying it. They have a very diverse program this year, with musicians that infuse all different types of genres with jazz. Most concerts you have to pay for – but your ticket comprises of 3 acts normally. Other concerts are completely free. Something of note for this festival: on the Sunday when the festival takes place there is a concert in the park. Completely free. Parc de la Pépinière is transformed in a music festival, with different tents in the park some for music, some stands for food etc. On the Sunday that I went, I had the good fortune of finding out about this band: Gallowstreet. They are VERY good. Google them and you’ll see. If you enjoy music, I think that Nancy Jazz Pulsations is definitely one worth going to, or at least keeping an eye on in your calendar.

Monet's Garden

Visiting Monet? 
I have one major piece of advice, and one major piece of advice only. Pick your season well.

This visit was taken in mid-September, and luckily for us, the sun was still shining down on the little village of Giverny, where Monet used to live.

How do I get there?
From Paris’ train station Gare Saint-Lazare, you take a train to Vernon. (It takes roughly 45 minutes to get there. And costs just under 30 euros return.) Once you’re at Vernon, you can catch a bus that takes approx. 20 minutes to get you to Giverny for 8 euros return fare.

Once you arrive in Giverny, it is a simple walk from the car park to the village centre where you can visit where the main man used to live and his garden. I hadn’t really given much thought to his house beforehand (but it was beautiful and worth the time weaving up and down his spiral stairs.) Decorated so beautifully, and in a way (that when you think about it) makes sense to the man you’d imagine Monet to be. But his garden. His garden is the true brilliance here.

Monet’s Money Making Garden?
As I’m getting older (such wisdom follows me) I’m finding myself appreciating gardens and landscaping much more than before. His garden was a mixture of colour, vibrancy and such amazing smells. If I could have bottled it, and taken it home I would have. There were so many butterflies. There were so many bees. (There were quite a few people as well, but not too many.)

There are different parts to the garden, and perhaps the most famous, is his water garden, where his bridge and famous water lilies live.

The cost to see his house and gardens is not too much, 5.50 euros if you’re a student, and under 10 if you’re full adult price.

What else is there?
Once you’re in Giverny, you can also visit Monet’s grave or go to the Impressionist Museum that they have.

Final thoughts?
Overall, it was a lovely day, a little pricey once all travel and tickets were added together, but a place that was definitely worth visiting – and a nice break from the hustle and bustle of the city.

(On last thing: if you plan on going, and don’t want to spend an arm and a leg on food, definitely take a picnic. Or at least some snacks.)