Wednesday, December 7, 2011

Musee Cocteau - Menton













This is the newest Museum on the block, located in Menton on the French Riviera, east of Monaco. This gallery only opened its doors on November 6th a month ago, and houses the full range of works by artist Jean Cocteau who is perhaps best known for his writings - La Machine Infernale and Les Enfants Terrible........













The tour starts at the Fort by the sea which still houses paintings, ceramics, and mosaics, and then moves to this stunning new gallery further along the promenade. The contrasting contemporary architecture of the new museum is quite striking in close up.....

















In addition to writing dramas and novels, Cocteau was prolific in the visual arts of painting, film making, poster design, illustration, ceramics, murals, and mosaics. Rumour has it that he completely decorated a friend's house on the Riviera with large interior murals in her absence - when she returned she was not impressed, but his work still seems to me striking in its range, variety, and visual impact.....


















Outside the old fort you can find these charming mosaic murals.....


















....And outside the new Museum is this gigantic lizard mural - complete with a young unicyclist enjoying tracing the lines of the lizard....













Menton is easily reached by the number 100 bus from Nice or by train, and the town itself has many additional attractions to explore. Enjoy!

7 comments:

Malyss said...

Menton is the city of my ancestors! I don't like the new Cocteau museum: it is too "fat"and heavy , like a bunker. It does not match with the city behind, and it even does not match with Cocteau's spirit, who was so poetic and light in drawings, painting and writing.
Today, I posted pictures of the Old cemetery of Menton, that you should visit one day. It's over the city,with a wonderful view, and very interesting italian style in monuments. There are also interesting russian and english graves .

French Girl in Seattle said...

Bonjour Catherine. Thank you for stopping by today. So, how is life treating you on la belle Cote d'Azur? I enjoyed this visit of the new Cocteau museum. I saw the small chapel he worked on in Villefranche when I was there last August. He was a talented man! A bientot. Veronique (French Girl in Seattle)

elena nuez said...

thanks for that amazing trip!!!

Lynne with an e said...

Another fabulous attraction you've found! The interplay of line, form, light, shade and colour (that blue blue sky!) in your pictures of the building itself is stunning!

PeterParis said...

A new attraction in Menton, which already has many (including Jilly, - Menton Daily Photo)! I still have to see it - for real! How do you think it fits with the surrounding architecture?

I sometimes go to the oldest remaining cinema in Paris (from 1928), where Cocteau designed part of the interior.

... and next time in Paris, please don't forget to contact me! :-)

A Cuban In London said...

I just love that first photo! For some reason the combination of the outlandish architectural design (curves anyone?) and the angle at which you took the photo made it ever so beautiful.

So, Jean Cocteau is the author of Les Enfants Terribles! I remember reading the book in Spanish but had forgot the author's name. Many thanks for this tour. You and your camera keep finding gems wherever you go.

Greetings from London.

Catherine said...

Thanks for all the lovely comments - much appreciated