In the delightful medieval town of Albi, birthplace of Toulouse-Lautrec, with its magnificent brick-built Gothic cathedral dedicated to Saint Cecilia. Begun in 1282, in the aftermath of the Albigensian Crusade, it is claimed to be the largest brick building in the world.

Saint Cecilia Cathedral, Albi

The nave of Saint Cecilia Cathedral, Albi

At the Abbaye de Fontfroide, Narbonne, for a concert of music from Istanbul by the excellent Jordi Savall and Hesperion XXI.

Jordi Savall (photo: Lionel Bonaventure)

Walking at the World Heritage Site of the Canal du Midi at Le Somail in the Languedoc.

The William Kentridge production of the Shostakovich opera ‘The Nose’ at the Aix-en-Provence Festival was absolutely fantastic – the highlight of the year so far.

A very hot trip (35° is too hot for me!) to Provence, starting in Arles, with its wonderful Amphitheatre and the Van Gogh bridge, followed by the extremely impressive Palais des Papes in Avignon.

Arles Arena

Van Gogh Bridge, Arles

Palais des Papes, Avignon

In Toulouse for a night at the opera. An excellent production of Mozart’s ‘Cosi Fan Tutte’ at the extremely impressive Theatre du Capitole.

Capitole de Toulouse

Saimir Pirgu, Marie-Adeline Henry, Alex Esposito and Roxana Constantinescu.