End of the Year Excursion to Catalunya

The Dali Theater-Museum

To conclude our academic excursions for the year Dickinson in France spent a weeekend in Catalunya, which has a particular historical and regional identity within France. Our excursion started in Figueras, Spain at the Dalí Theater-Museum, which is in fact very theatrical due to its excentric and surrealist conception. An emblematic Catalan personnality,we admired works from all of Dalí’s stylistic periods. Our students were impressed by the complexity and originality of his works.

However, most of our excursion was dedicated to French Catalunya, which is comprised of almost all of the Pyrénées Orientales department. Located on the Côte Vermeille, we chose to stay in Collioure for its location between the sea and the mountain. This Mediterranean terrain produces wines with a distinct flavor, which we tasted upon arriving in Collioure, accompanied by sardines, a Catalan speciality.

Notre dégustation des vins de Collioure et Banyuls-sur-mer; Photo de Laura Raynaud

Our Collioure and Banyuls-sur-mer wine tasting; Photo by Laura Raynaud

Photo by Laura Raynaud

Initiated to Collioure’s gastronomy, the students had the evening to discover the city’s other specialties as well as admire the views of the port.

Collioure at night

Learning about Fauvism

In addition to its history and gastronomy, Collioure is also well known for being the birthplace of Fauvism, an artistic movement from the beginning of the XX century. Using strong, bright colors to convey a feeling or emotion, Fauvists were inspired by Collioure’s landscapes and painted many views of the port and the small streets lined by colorful houses. Sunday morning we took a guided tour of the city to learn more about the history of Collioure and its influence on the Fauvist artists.

Les maisons colorées de Collioure; Photo de Laura Raynaud

Colorful Collioure houses; Photo by Laura Raynaud

A typical street in Collioure

It wouldn’t be a Dickinson excursion without a little bit of sport! The afternoon was dedicated to a hike on the hills surrounding Collioure, where we had magnificent views of the port and Mediterranean basin. And our guide was a real Catalan !