Exploring the outdoor gallery

Armed with our map, we set off to follow the painted walls trail.  This time we climbed up through the park, a more scenic route following the ramparts and passing a cross and small chapel located in a cave.  

We found a different route through the old city, winding through the laneways, at one stage accompanied by the sounds of someone learning the bagpipes, and spotting random sculptures, such as the movie camera located near the beautiful church of St Andrew.

We stopped at the market to pick up some quiches for lunch together with some local strawberries that were super sweet and delicious before continuing the trail. 

Some of the paintings were quite small, such as “Natacha and the P’tit bout D’Chique”, an air hostess who travelled the world and, with her friend Walter, escaped many dangerous situations. One of my favourites was the “Girl of the Ramparts” where the ramparts of the painting seemed to extend into those of the town.  Another was “A Journey through Images” which showed an intergalactic battle reminiscent of Star Wars.

We admired a play area with equipment that made music and continued the trail, passing “Lucky Luke, the Daltons and Jolly Jumper”, a comic series created in 1946.

Next was “Saturday in Malakoff”, which depicted a time when life was good in the suburbs and featured Lucien, a character that actually ages. 

The impressive “New York on Charente” recognised that in 1524 Giovanni da Verrazano discovered the harbour which is the present site of New York and named it Nouvelle-Angouleme in honour of King Francis1, who was also the count of Angouleme.  

“The Extraordinary Garden” had lots of funny little creatures with big noses within a bamboo garden and was near “Chase the Natural” with its wild animals.  

We made our way back to the old town along the ramparts to find our final fresco, “Behind the Scenes at the Theatre” which reflected the backstage atmosphere of a theatre production. 

Nearby, the Carnot statue rose above the ramparts, and we passed more street art as we made our way back through small squares and down the park to the apartment for afternoon tea. 

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