. . . and more !

Picture Burgundy
Winter Painting and Photography in Burgundy and "Les Lavandes".

This is a time to reflect on the lovely long and just-gone Summer days.

Autumn in Burgundy can be a short-lived affair. You often wonder if it ever happened
at all.

One day, balmy. The next, menacing black swirling clouds blow storms in from the
South West.

Impending snow is usually preceded by a North wind called the 'Bise'. And if we've had snow, it's guaranteed
the nearest ski station at Les Rousses will be covered too.

However, if not keen on skiing, there are as many delights close to hand.

As with the photos on the "Painting and photography holidays" page,
you will find very different exciting and challenging Autumn and Winter conditions prevail at this time of year.

You'll get the whole mix of bright and sunny blue-skied snow-covered days or hanging, often freezing, mists
coating the skeletal trees and hedges in weighty ice.

When the days thaw and re-freeze, any breezes create masterpieces of natural art,
whether coating the bullrushes, teazles or simply creating a geometric wall of fine snow as chain-link
fences are built on and overtaken by Mother Nature.

But feed its 3 wood burners and "Les Lavandes" can be a very special place to 'chill out', losing the
stresses of modern day life leaving yourself free to contemplate the beauty of Winter in a non-urban environment.
Short, medium or long walks can be taken from the house, keeping the circulation going.

8-11th December sees the Festival of Light in Lyon ( http://www.fetedeslumieres.lyon.fr ), a city of stunning
architecture in its own right, just and hour and a quarter South
along the autoroute.

Nearby Louhans and Lons le Saunier become suitably
seasonally dressed. The main square in Lons,
la Place de Liberte, known for its pavement level fountains
in Summer, is often used for entertainment purposes and
has been known to sport a skating rink installation.
The main street of mediaeval Louhans is decorated with
Christmas lights from 8th December, featuring a large
illuminated Bresse cockerel, the region being renowned for
its white Bresse poultry, the only AOC controlled poultry in
France.
http://www.bresse-bourguignonne.com/discovery.../towns-and-villages/louhans-chateaurenaud-2-21.htm#arcades
and
http://www.ville-lons-le-saunier.fr/phototheque/phototeque-fr.shtml .

e-mail: colinwinn1@hotmail.co.uk

FOR SALE: "Les Lavandes" is currently on the market at 299,000 Euros
For further details please e-mail colinwinn1@hotmail.co.uk