Day Six - French Bistro

French Bistro  
Oil on Panel   6 x 6"

Continuing with my 30 paintings of all things French. I snapped a photo as we walked through the City of Beaune, in the Burgundy Region. I hope to have an opportunity to return to this wonderful little City. It had a small village feel and not a lot of tourists. I loved that we were able to take a few days and immerse ourselves into the French culture. The little Bistros stayed open late, inviting us to dine in the open air. We stayed in a very old Abbey, on the third floor. It was a job getting our luggage up some 72 steps, a winding staircase. But it was worth the stepping because the view above the streets gave us the wonderful sights of the rooftops and the bell tower was just outside our window......

Day Four - Saturday Market, Beaune, France

Saturday Market in Burgandy
Oil on Linen Panel   8 x 6"

This is a little 8 x 6 of Saturday at the Market in Beaune, France. Some of us stayed in this little wine village just North of our destination at the Chatueau, for three days prior to the workshop. It was a good decision. We enjoyed our time there while catching up on some needed sleep after our trip. I would love to visit this village again someday.

Day One - French Cows

"French Cows" Oil on Linen Panel
8 x 10"

Finished up my first piece for the 30 paintings in 30 days challenge. My theme is "All Things French". Last summer I attended a workshop with Ovanes Berberian in France. We stayed at a chateau north of Cluny in the Burgandy area. 

Each time we went to Cluny to eat dinner we drove along a beautiful highway with a view of the valley below. It was so beautiful and changed every day with the weather and time of day. One evening I decided to turn off the highway and we drove through this countryside. 

The cows seemed to know we were American Tourists, because they just stared at us!

The Bell Tower in Beaune, France

This past month I have been in France. I went with a couple of friends and to begin our trip, we staying in a little village in the heart of Burgandy called Beaune. In French it is pronounced "bone". Or something like that. We went to take a 2 week plein air painting workshop with painter Ovanes Berberian. I have studied with him over the years, but this was his first workshop in France and I just couldn't pass it up.
We started our trip with a 3 day stay in Beaune. I am hoping this little video of the Bell Tower outside our bedroom window where we stayed, in an old Abbey built in 1500, will give you an idea of the beauty of the area.
I will follow with pictures from our trip and share some of what we learned and experienced. It was truly life changing. I just returned home last night so I will post as I settle in and get organized. Can't wait to share more!