It is the home of a wonderful sparkling wine ,
“Blanquette”, first made by the Saint Hilaire Abbey monks in 1531, claiming to
be France’s first sparkling wine.
It is also the home of a very long drawn out weird
and wonderful winter Carnaval which I posted about earlier in the year, and
every time we have visited, some strange and startling events have been
taking place.
A visit in June ended with us joining these 2 fabulous
women in a dance on the corner of the main square.
While we danced, these characters posed, danced and
threatened to whip customers in one of the cafes around the square.
Our last visit, just a few days ago, included a visit
to the puppet museum, the Musée des Automates.
I was spellbound.
There is little information at the museum about the
puppets. The man selling tickets showed us a 2 page extract from an old book
that described how Martine and Jean Jacques had started making these fantastic
creations about 30 years ago. Some are modelled on recognisable
characters...one was supposed to be Leonardo da Vinci, others are from fairy
stories, but all are mystical and decidedly surreal. They looked like characters from a Venetian carnival, with a dash of Tim Burton and possibly some Stanley Kubrick.
I like the wine...but the museum would give me the heebie jeebies.
ReplyDeleteSomething about those carnival masks, I think.
It was very odd, and my niece who was with us felt like you about it. She wandered around the displays with her face half covered, almost afraid of what she might see next. The photos dont capture the movement....they were all swaying or moving slightly to some fairly haunting music.
DeleteI'm with Fly re the museum. Masks really do give me the creeps. Brilliant photos Janice x
ReplyDeleteI understand people feeling the creeps, I was on the edge of it myself, but also found them mysteriously beautiful.I have just come to the conclusion that Limoux is full of strange things, and I may never really understand what is going on when I visit.
DeleteWhat a really interesting little town Limoux is, seemingly made so by the inhabitants. I love the exuberance of the two ladies, totally uninhibited and having fun.
ReplyDeleteThe masks do not worry me, and as you say have overtures of the ones from Venice - your photos are wonderful.
My maternal grandmother's name was Jacques from our Huguenot ancestry. Sadly the name is no more as she had no brothers to carry it on.
Those two women were really fabulous. They embraced Mark and I and insisted we danced with them. I wish I could find them again, I would love to give them a copy of the photo. Thanks for your kind comments about the photos. J.
DeleteI think it's all wonderful - no problems with the masks and such a shame we can't see them swaying! It does all seem rather surreal though - as does life here sometimes. I wonder whether someone from France or perhaps Spain, taking up life in a rural part of Britain, might find cheese-rolling, bed races or gurning competitions rather bizarre too.
ReplyDeleteGreat stuff.
Axxx
Yes, its the ancient ritual of rush bearing in Sowerby Bridge this weekend......introduced way back....in 1982 I think. Nettle eating takes place in Mytholmroyd. It's cold back here in Hebden Bridge, and there's been more flooding...the arrangement of sand bags along the main street is a little surreal too. I really enjoyed the automoton museum, although I would have loved to see a really old French automoton working. Did you see the film Hugo ?
DeleteI rest my case! Lol.
DeleteWhat a shame there's been more flooding - such a contrast between your two places at the moment. I was always a bit aware of the surreality of life but blogging has really emphasised it.
I don't think I've seen the film you mention but will check it out.
Keep warm - hope the cake making goes well. Axxx
Hi Annie - I teach English to French children, and they frequently have 'crazy but true' articles in their 'I Love English' magazines about things like cheese rolling!
DeleteDid you say sparkling wine! I'm on my way ....
ReplyDelete......and of course you would be very welcome. I presume your stay in France is either over, or nearing the end, as you go back to school. I hope you've had a great summer.....how long is it until half term ?
DeleteI think I'd have bad dreams after a trip around that museum. I'd be up for the sparkling wine though.
ReplyDeleteYou'd be ever so welcome.... those monks back in 1531 had the right idea. Blanquette is delicious. J.
DeleteExcellent photos, Janice. I love the two women dancing: just the sort of things my mother would do!
ReplyDeleteBy the way, I have replied to your comment on my Dad's blog: there are still some connections!
Thanks Trish. I thought the 2 women were amazing. They were so uninhibited, just really happy. I'll go and read your comment on your dad's page now ! best wishes, J.
ReplyDeleteSplendid photos, Janice. You give such a vivid glimpse of life in Limoux, including the somewhat eery puppets. Until now all I knew about Limoux was the wine and your post about the carnival. :-)
ReplyDeleteIt does seem to be a very interesting place.It's not all wonderful, I saw some evidence of drug problems in the town when I was there last. However, it is somewhere I know I will enjoy discovering further. There are a couple of beautiful churches, and an interesting medieval sector. Thanks for the comment about the photos, I am very happy with my new camera. J.
DeleteI never knew Limoux was so interesting! The tiles on our patio roof have 'Limoux' printed on the underneath, so I often see the name, but I've only actually been there once - and popped into the carnival shop. Now I see why the shop is there!
ReplyDeleteIf you can ever get to the carneval ( lasts from January until March) you should try. It is a very strange happening. I was there one very snowy cold day last February, and the images are still with me....very odd. J.
DeleteGreat photo's...with those masks I would probably have to have some wine before I went there...eerie masks...but then I love anything Venetian themed....with those rich jeweled colours.
ReplyDeleteThe colours and the fabrics of the clothes the puppets were wearing were so sumptious. Thanks for the comment about the photos. I think I have finished the experimenting with my new camera phase, and I am very happy with it. J.
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