Barcelona to Beynac

Sites and smells from Catalunya to Dordogne

By Jamie Martin

July 31^st, 2015

ParC Güell

One man’s failed housing development is another man’s treasure.

Originally planned as a 60-lot luxury home community by Count Eusebi Güell, only two homes were ever built. Catalan architect, Antoni Gaudí, bought one and lived there with his family from 1906 until his death in 1926. Parc Güell has become the symbol of his organic style and innovative architecture. It became a public park in 1926. Today it is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Let this be a lesson to urban planners and developers of the importance of pre-sales marketing.

"I always feel like somebody's watching me."

“MY CLIENT IS NOT IN A HURRY.”

Gaudí began construction of Sagrada Família in 1883, combining Gothic and curvilinear Art Nouveau forms. At the time of Gaudí’s death at age 73 in 1926, less than a quarter of the project was complete. In 2015, the expected completion date was 2026.

Before Computer-Aided Design (CAD) software, Gaudí planned structures using string and tiny weights, which were reversed un a mirror.

Shorts or skirts above the knee would bar your entrance to the Basilica. But flip flops? No problem.

AH, PUTxET. Putxet real good.

North of the tourist city center and west of Gracia,

Putxet (poo-shtet) provided stunning views, fresh air, and nice walks.

View of Sant Gervasi, Barcelona from Mirablau Restaurant

Gintonic

Catalunya (and I’m guessing all of Spain) has gone gin-crazy.

Count 'em: six different tonics to choose from.

A street artist did these in under 90 seconds using only scissors, paper and what I presume was dark magic.

Casa Milà (La Pedrera)

“Also innovative is the underground garage.” - Wikipedia

Gaudí found inspiration for his architecture in nature.

Eats & streets

Exploring from Gracia to the Gothic Quarter

"Here's looking at you, kids." Goat heads at La Boqueria Market in Barcelona.

AIGUABLAVA

Dies celestials en La Costa Brava

It really looks like this: sun-drenched yellows, aquamarine blues, verdant greens. Not pictured: nudists.

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Teatro-Museo Dalí (y mausoleum)

A labyrinthine voyage into the mind of Salvador Dalí. Figueres, Spain.

Portrait of the Artist as a Dead Man: Dalí is buried just below the concrete slab.

POrt Lligat

Dalí’s home, studio and sanctuary began as a modest hut in a fishing village.

His primary residence from 1930 to 1982, he painted most of his best-known works here.

“Our little house was to consist of a room of about four square metres that was to serve as a dining room, bedroom, studio and an entrance hall. You go up some steps and as you land, three doors open out, taking you to a shower, a toilet and a kitchen of very tight dimensions that you can hardly squeeze in. I wanted it all good and small ̶̶

the smaller the more womblike.”

When his wife and muse, Gala, died in 1982, Dalí retired to the Castle of Púbol.

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BEYNAC EN PERIGORD

During the Hundred Years War, the French fought the English from Le Chateau Beynac, a fortified, mountain-top castle overlooking the Dordogne River. Today, Beynac is one of many Medieval villages in Perigord, the French region responsible for producing most of the world’s fois gras and black truffles.