All times noted are Eastern Time. Today’s session will begin at 2:00 p.m. and end at 4:30 p.m. The day before each session, the instructors will send a handout by email that will accompany the lecture. They will also recommend any extra reading or background research that could complement the day’s themes.
2:00 p.m. We will gather with our Study Leaders — Caroline Buizza and Martin Penicaud — for an Orientation session (one-half hour) to address technical matters and group introductions. Caroline & Martin are both from Lyon, capital city of the Roman Gauls and French cuisine. Caroline is a certified lecturer who studied art history at the Louvre School and who loves history and architecture. Martin has been going to Provence for more than 30 years and has explored its many wonders. 2:30 p.m. Lecture (one-half hour). Caroline and Martin will present Provence as a treat for all the senses, focusing on Provençal culture and art de vivre — the art of living. 3:00 p.m. On our first virtual field trip (one hour), we will journey from Aix to the back country. We will gain an appreciation for some of the many charms of Provence such as wines and cuisine, local markets, lavender, typical crafts, architecture, the Camargue, and distinctive sites including Lacoste, Bonnieux, Lourmarin, Gordes, Roussillon, and Apt. We will conclude the afternoon with a Q&A and discussion session (one-half hour) focusing on Provençal literature. A handout for tomorrow will be sent via email after the session. Today’s program will end at 4:30 p.m.