We have enjoyed a couple of days in and around Collioure, shopping, sightseeing, and getting to know some local artists. Marie Opper is a local artist whose work in quite varied, from watercolor and acrylic paintings to collage and glass beads. She is also very friendly and loves to talk about art. Marie’s small shop has a secret garden in it’s depths, thanks to a small alcove open to the sky above. She has filled it with plants and a chair for her own meditation. Jean tried out the chair.
We have walked around the village with JP and Koko. This helps us discover places we hadn’t found before in our own walks.
The commandos are ever present in the harbor. Sometimes they are paddling kayaks, other times it’s zodiaks, or they can be seen swimming in full combat gear with life jackets. Today they were jogging through the streets with full packs, life jackets, and fake machine guns while dripping wet from a swim in the sea. It’s quite entertaining. The officers wait on the pier.
Today for the first time Jean and I visited the Chateau Royale. It is an immense castle in which one can easily become lost. The views of the city and the surrounding mountains are even more beautiful from these ramparts.
In addition to castle there were two art exhibitions within the walls as well. Artist Anita Garcia’s paintings are bright, colorful, and reflective of Catalan life. Of course I was particularly drawn to her depictions of musicians. What fun!
And so ends another day in Collioure.
Paul
Travels With Picasso 
commandos “entertaining”?
Must say the red beret is most becoming Jean! Love, ace & marco