Ceret - Picasso passion

This is "store" just re-opened. We refer to it as the Chocolate Store as it has a lovely
selection of hand made chocolates (Mum got some for her birthday when we where
here 3 years ago). It also sells bread, croissants, cakes, sweets etc and has a nice
little area to eat (inside or out).

I've been taking pictures of all the boulangeries and this is the first time that someone
has looked disgruntled about it. We tried their croissant today. Nice, but they don't make
it on to the short list.

I think we have now tried all the places to get croissant that are within close walking distance. Our original boulangerie (the one we went to from the place we stayed before) was our favorite and is on the short list. As is the boulangerie/patisserie on the side street next to the Grande Café (where we get 4 croissant for the price of 3)and the one that just reopened at the top of the old town. I had thought we were ready to declare a favourite and then discussion among the judges resulted in some disagreement and a need to revisit the small boulangerie across from the wine store, through the arches. We did however get a bit closer on determining the criteria to be considered: flaky and crispy on the outside, airy on the inside with just a slight doughy texture, a  buttery flavour and (according to Mum) buttery residue to be licked off the fingers when the croissant is gone. For Dad it also needs to be easy to cut open and doughy enough to spread margarine and marmalade on but personally I think he should be eliminated as a judge. Not enough commitment to the purity of the endeavor.
I walked in the new part of Ceret today and just got back before rain and wind hit. It was warm today though, 14 degrees. So not much in the way of pictures.
Picasso visited and painted in Ceret, along with a number of other places in Southern France and Spain. He was instrumental in founding the Museum of Modern Art here and donated sketches, paintings and ceramics (see earlier post). Ceret takes pride in its historic and current artists and specifically Picasso.

The bar at the Hotel Arcades is called Bar Pablo

even though Picasso and his artist friends and entourage hung out at Le Grande Café around
the corner. There are vintage photographs to validate this.

It may be because it overlooks Place Picasso with the two arches through the
old fortification wall.

Since we were last here a Picasso themed fountain has been added just
through the arches.

In the centre is Picassos "sketch" of Catalans dancing the sardanes with the
dove of peace flying above.

Water bubbles in the centre and flows around the edge.

Tile work around the base is reminiscent of Picasso's style.