Ronchamp, Arguel, Pugey

Ronchamp, Pugey, Arguel

On Friday CLA organised a trip to Ronchamp, a place had learned about in class and, fascinated by the Corbusier architecture, had made a promise to self not to leave France before paying a visit.  I am cramming as much as I can into each weekend now especially all on offer as part of my study. This was as a "Sortie Pedagogique"  for all students in the language and culture stream. It was an amazing trip almost up to the border with Lorraine through beautiful countryside (which we got to know  extremely well when the bus broke down in the middle of nowhere but not far from anywhere-our Jack Nicholson look-alike driver reported a massive oil leak and refused to drive any further!!) with some remarkable historical sites to view every few kilometres. There were 9 Nationalities on this outing, all learning and speaking in a common second language, needless to say our lecturer has the patience of a saint.

 It seems that not one measurement has been replicated in this church. It was one of the few buildings where Corbusier had complete freedom over design. Its site, that of a church destroed in WW11, looks out over spectacular coutryside.

 All of these odd windows provide the only sourceof interior lighting.

 The church bells on the exterior, 2 of which are from the original church, call pilgrims to mass in the summer months.

Odd, wierd but definitely breathtaking.

Pugey and Arguel- visit 3/04/11

These are the names of 2 tiny villages(Arguel pop. 260, Pugey pop. 150) located up in the hills, a few very windy kms south of  Besancon. This was another CLA cultural outing where we were welcomed by the respective mayors, shown around the villages, school, historcal sites,  farms and welcomed into family homes for a major Sunday feast, french style. I met some amazing people, too many of which have my email  address now and listened to desciptions and stories of how laid back rural life can be. Many of these people commute to Besancon for work, and some of the really old buildings have been renovated by those wanting to live the "country life."  In the afternoon we tramped (assisted digestion) to the site of a Chateau, which had been destroyed by the order of Louis XIV and its stones used to fortify Besancon.--

 Ancient farm buildings renovated to accomodate those wanting to experience the country life and quiet surroundings.

I made friends with these lovely animals, providers of raw materials for goats cheese(which I love). The bells round their necks make more noise than their bleating.

The countryside from the chateau site

 

Our group and the residents who hosted us - our hosts included the 2 mayors, councillors, teachers, farmers, very small business operaters and a host of others who work in Besancon. 

The local primary school where we were treated to a complete and  very informative lecture on the french education system.

   Spring/Easter break starts on Friday, a bit late as spring seems to have turned into summer very early this year, and I am certainly learning about how the weather impacts on the french way of life. While they hibernate in winter, when summer comes every cafe, park and street is full and life is suddenly filled with the  noise of fountains, family outings and street talk.