It was just last weekend that we in Ribérac hosted 'Le Grand Souk', the towns answer to three days of peace, love and a jolly good time over the high summer period. The weather this year of 2011 remained distinctly changeable but despite this the turnout was enormous and seems to grow year by year.
Beautifully formed in aluminium, easy to imagine gliding down Route 66
Bands attend from all over the world including the United States and the UK. Most of the acts seem to be French based and from Paris, taking in most musical genres, but with a prevalence of electro and hip hop. Recent stars that have made the trip include Olivia Ruiz and Les Têtes Raides. My personal view of this is that Ribérac and the powers that be, seem to concentrate all of their musical fire over the three days of 'Le Grand Souk' whilst other genres such as Jazz. Afro or even Flamenco seem to be sidelined. Having said that, we at Repos à Riberac are always full to the rafters with musicians, journalists and the festival goers themselves at this time.
Phillipe demonstrates how the artist(e)s 'repos à Ribérac' in one of his trailers
This year we at Repos à Riberac were lucky enough to have as one of our guests, Phillipe, who runs and owns the company Atlass Loges. Atlass Loges provides American made aluminium trailers that graced the routes (including the celebrated 66) from the post war period until the early seventies. Phillipe has made these caravan/trailers his passion. Since beginning the company in 2003 he has sourced 19 of these beauties from the States. He has trawled America in search of these caravans, and having found them, imported them to France where he has then lovingly restored them with great skill and panache. Believe you me, if you love classic Americana, James Dean, Lincoln convertibles, Dean Martin etc, these wonderful cigar case shaped tubes of polished alu, in the late fifties style, really hit the spot.
Part of the delight is definitely in the detail. So American, a Land Yacht, I love it!
Phillipe has identified something unique nowadays. Something of high quality lovingly made in America which perfectly epitomises the power and wealth of the United States at this time. The caravans are a reflection of this power, big, shiny and in your face, but with such style! Phillipe's role is to provide the stars with mobile dressing rooms and a stylish rest area before and after their perfomance. I am heartened that people like Phillipe still exist. Not only a really nice man, but someone who has identified something rare and then had the vision to put his passion for it into something practical and then make a living from it.
Is that the tricolour on the right?
This caravan/trailers can be hired for concerts, weddings, roadshows and festivals. If you're looking for a little 'truc', a bit different, to turn a few heads at any event you might be thinking of hosting this summer, contact Phillipe on 06 76 47 68 39.
One very proud owner, Phillipe the owner and founder of Atlass Loges
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