Issue No. 25

The “veritable-machinistes” who operate the
machines are also actors and story tellers
and part of the show. It’s seriously mad,
utterly magical and truly a must-see when
you visit Toulouse.
Tip: head to the onsite Minotaur café for
delish dishes or a glass of wine at the bar
and enjoy the spectacle of the fairy tale
beast wandering about outside.
Modern art and ancient…
The Halle de la Machine isn’t the only home
to a Minotaur in Toulouse. At Les Abbatoirs
Museum of modern art, Picasso’s famous
stage curtain “The Remains of the Minotaur
in a Harlequin Costume” is a star in an
outstanding collection. Created for a theatre
in 1936, because of its fragility this showstopper
is displayed for only six months of
the year. The museum has a superb
collection of modern and contemporary art
with works by many Spanish artists exiled
from Spain when General Franco seized
power during the Spanish Civil War. This is
no elitist museum, you can do yoga classes
amongst the artworks, workshops, a library
and at Christmas they hold a market where
artists sell their works. After your visit pop
to the park next door to enjoy the views
over the river Garonne.
For a complete contrast, the Bemberg
Foundation is tucked away in a pretty
courtyard near the Capitole. It’s in a former
16th century mansion where each room has
been restored to 19th century glory to
showcase the wonderful collection of
paintings, furniture and ornaments including
Degas, Monet, Matisse and Boudin. I loved
the intimate feel of this museum, as if it
were still lived in by someone with the most
exquisite taste in art.