From the 16th – 22nd of August, we rented a house in Arles with Mum & Pete, and were joined for the weekend by Anne & Olivier. It’s the second time I’d been to Arles, the first time was just a brief day visit in the spring. Arles is a very tiny town, it’s got loads of character and it hasn’t been all shishy’d up. There are still daggy buildings, dirty back lanes but it’s beautiful all the same. I loved it. Top it off, Les Rencontres d’Arles was still on at the time of our visit. Michelle and I bought unlimited passes and we went from one exhibition to the next over 3 full days. I saw some brilliant work, and really enjoyed the entire exhibition, the way it was organised, the way it was presented, the content and the enthusiasm of everyone involved. If we’re still here next year we’ll try and go during the opening week to see all the evening projections and walks with the artists themselves.

Christian Lacroix was the guest curator of Arles 2008

_____________

And if you ever plan to go to Arles, we came across this lovely looking hotel with a swimming pool in the centre of town, Hotel D’Arlatan – and while I’m giving plugs we came across this great store, where we bought years of supply of table runners, not to mention drawer stuffers, and a christmas present for my mum, and a handbag for Jo’s wedding next weekend… La Poule Blanche