In the archbishop's garden

Over the summer Narbonne's town hall is running a series of free concerts twice weekly in the archbishop's garden behind the cathedral. You have to reserve though, thanks to Covid. And you have to be quick. Reservations open a week beforehand, and you need to be at your computer at 9 a.m. on day 1 for a chance at a ticket. I managed this last Thursday for the first time, so this afternoon we went to see Laurent Cavalié and Guilhem Verger for some Occitan songs.

It's the first concert we've been to since the passe sanitaire came into force yesterday. So it was "Papers please" at the gate, either a vaccination certificate or a negative test. Which felt odd. As we're both double-jabbed it wasn't a big issue for us in practical terms. 

At the start of the concert both Laurent and Guilhem gave short speeches voicing their disagreement with the system and expressing anger and sorrow that their group of friends were having to listen from the street. They had refused to produce papers themselves, which means that in a few weeks when the system is tightened up, in theory they won't be able to perform any more. At this point four people got up and walked out. For my part while I might not necessarily agree with all of their sentiments, they have a perfect right to express them. In this particular case, about 50 physically distanced people in the open air ... requiring a pass seemed ridiculous.

Meanwhile I'm desperately hoping that these draconian measures will a) reduce circulation of the virus and b) push more people to get vaccinated. Thus avoiding another lockdown, which is an unbearable prospect. Since Macron's announcement last week, over 7 million vaccine appointments have been made, which is promising. On the other hand, two vaccine centres have been vandalised. And 100,000 anti-vaxxers have demonstrated in the streets, but hey, this is France.

Anyway. We really enjoyed their music (accordion/voice/big marching drum). Every time I go to a Cavalié concert, I feel the urge to learn at least a minimum of Occitan. He's a very good singer and yet again we got to listen to a good accordionist. I have seen so many types of accordion over the last few weeks that I got curious, so here are 17 different types.

To test whether anyone's still reading: afterwards we walked down to the Barques for a) an ice cream and b) a glass of rosé. Extra 2 is the Mairie's dreadful idea for decorating the trees on the Barques. Extra 1 is the loveliness that is Narbonne alongside the canal; it's such a pretty town when done right.