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Scotsman
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Scotsman
I visited this beautiful French city known for its pink gloss for a mind-bending trip
This article contains affiliate links. We may earn a small commission on items purchased through this article, but that does not affect our editorial judgement. Superstar DJs playing amid lumbering mechanical beasts, an abundance of gastronomical delights and a profound history of violent upheaval and technical innovation - Toulouse found a way of leaving a unique impression on me. Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... The South Western French city, known as La Ville Rose (The Pink City) for the terracotta tinge that defines its buildings, offers visitors new insights in all varieties, be they cultural, culinary, historical or future-looking. I was lucky enough to be invited to visit this great city and couldn't recommend it more as a year-round getaway for those wanting an eye-opening, stomach filling and brain stimulating experience. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Visiting Toulouse, the quirky and captivating French city. | FINN A distinctly French city but with a more modern and inviting complexion, Toulouse was crowned a UNESCO 'City of Music' destination in 2023 for the emphasis it places on supporting musicians and live music; while the continued association with the aeronautical world also adds to its essence as a place where life reaches upward. After catching an evening flight from Stansted Airport, I stayed the night in the comfort of the Mercure Hotel, which is situated in the heart of Toulouse's beguiling, winding streets, before beginning the next day with the most effective introduction to a city I've ever had. After breakfast me and my companions ventured to meet Chef Alejandro Javaloyas with his black cart in tow, from which he would decant every ingredient and instrument needed for the wonderful, informative and delicious Toulouse Gourmet Tour. The voyage took in seven spots, each of which provided the backdrop for a captivating tale on the backstory of the city, before we had a relevant dish made using a vast array of equipment from Alejandro's never-ending, Mary Poppins-like cart, to vividly bring the experience to life. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Alejandro Javaloyas takes us on the Toulouse Gourmet Tour | National World At our meeting spot, the Hôtel d'Assezat, we learned how blue de pastel exports in the 1500s brought unprecedented wealth to the city and the establishment of such opulent Renaissance-style buildings for the most successful merchants. The colouring dye was used for 200 years before indigo was brought over from the Americas, and during this blue boom over 200 of these mansions were built around the city, many of which are still in use today. We then parked up by the glorious Garonne River, where, after a devastating fire in 1463, clay was acquired from the banks to rebuild the city with a new, defining pink sheen that glistens spectacularly in the sunset. Nowadays the waterway acts as a perfect residing spot for the local residents and large student population, many of whom are engaged at the airport where the city's pioneering aeronautical industry is based. Toulouse is the birthplace of Airbus, which recently marked its 50th anniversary, and was also the home for Aeropostale, which was a pioneering aviation company that oversaw huge advances in air travel during mail-delivering trips to Morocco, Senegal and Brazil from the 1930s onwards. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad We learnt about this aspect of Toulouse at the Place du Capitole, a glorious space that also hosts a huge Christmas market, before turning our attention to the city's profound yet violent religious past at the astounding, French gothic influenced Couvent des Jacobins and in the quaint, communal surroundings of Place Saint-Georges. La Machine is a French performance art company known for its large-scale, mechanical creatures, including a giant spider called "La Princesse" | National World Javaloyas's background as a surrealist artist and experience in Michelin-starred restaurants, as well as his close, familial ties to the city, endowed his ability to captivate us tour-goers, and made his preparation of the food that bit more assured. Whether it was a pain au chocolat - or 'chocolatine' as the locals insist - crystallised violet sweets, Toulouse sausage or toasted baguette with goose spread, we felt in safe hands. After a quick break, my companions and I ventured outside the fairy-tale confines of the city to the Montaudran district, which is being heavily modernised after its long-standing association with Aéropostale since the 1930s. One of its central features is La Halle de la Machine, where you can discover a collection of street theatre contraptions designed and made by La Machine Company. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Members of the production collective took us around the warehouse of mysterious, interactive devices made from seemingly discarded items of wood and metal for a seemingly oblique purpose. Whether they were tentatively manipulating sound or haphazardly painting pictures, the machines were curious if not practical, and the experience added further to the city's quirky, intriguing side. Toulouse is known as 'La Ville Rose' - The Pink City - for the bright colouring of its buildings. | FINN The comparably down-to-earth mind behind the collective, François Delaroziere, then took us onto the former aircraft runway of the museum to tell us about the company's Pièces de résistance. While the scattering of instruments in the main hall was strikingly incomplete, the same could not be said for the giant, roaming minotaur and spider outside. The two pieces – along with a human-scorpion creature named Lilith – have previously been taken on escapades to various cities for street theatre performances where they have been pedalled around by members of the collective; soaring over the inhabitants of Toulouse, Lyon and elsewhere to François's delight. On the night we visited, they were utilised for the Mecanik Paradize music festival, during which they stalked each other around the energetic crowd (shown in the video at the top of the article) as though preparing for battle while French hip hop heavyweights Chinese Man delivered a lively set. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The electric atmosphere was set in the sultry October night as UK dance music extraordinaire Fatboy Slim then hit the stage for a pulsating headline show that saw him rattle through hits including 'Right Here, Right Now' and 'Eat, Sleep, Rave, Repeat'. Toulouse is in no short supply of great places to get food. | FINN After such a relentless first day, our second in Toulouse operated as a chance to let our senses come back to earth and be gradually re-enveloped in the city's many charms. With plenty of restaurants to choose from, it's more a question of where among Toulouse's stunning options you want to enjoy your meals, with options available in the array of city squares or by the river and indoor options aplenty in the tastefully decorated confines of traditional brasseries and cafes. We returned to Plaice Saint Georges for lunch at Monsieur Georges before heading for a sensational three-course gourmet dinner in the stylish setting of La Gourmandine Côté Cathédrale, which was just a stone's throw from the city's unique cathedral that has a Frankenstein-esque mismatch of styles that is oddly charming. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Cité de l'Espace is well worth a visit and a great representation of Toulouse's close association with aerospace. | Rémi Deligeon In both cases, the food was definitely rich and indulgent, with the mushroom risotto at Monsieur Georges going above and beyond in terms of flavour and portion size, and the evening meal showcasing locally sourced, sustainable ingredients with superb effect. There was also more touring and exploring to be done with the help of the enthusiastic, knowledgeable staff from the Tourist Office situated at Square Charles de Gaulle, who gave us further insight around the city's endlessly walkable streets before taking us to La Cité de l'espace. Situated on the outskirts, this interactive discovery centre features flight simulators, a telescope and planetarium to give you as close an experience as you can to touching the stars. There's also a beautiful garden area with a lunar rover and an old space station that is great to walk around. With everything you can ask for from a city break and every opportunity to accustom yourself to it at your own pace, why not let Toulouse offer a little sheen into your life?
Scotsman
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Scotsman
I visited this beautiful French city known for its pink gloss for a mind-bending trip
This article contains affiliate links. We may earn a small commission on items purchased through this article, but that does not affect our editorial judgement. Superstar DJs playing amid lumbering mechanical beasts, an abundance of gastronomical delights and a profound history of violent upheaval and technical innovation - Toulouse found a way of leaving a unique impression on me. Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... The South Western French city, known as La Ville Rose (The Pink City) for the terracotta tinge that defines its buildings, offers visitors new insights in all varieties, be they cultural, culinary, historical or future-looking. I was lucky enough to be invited to visit this great city and couldn't recommend it more as a year-round getaway for those wanting an eye-opening, stomach filling and brain stimulating experience. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Visiting Toulouse, the quirky and captivating French city. | FINN A distinctly French city but with a more modern and inviting complexion, Toulouse was crowned a UNESCO 'City of Music' destination in 2023 for the emphasis it places on supporting musicians and live music; while the continued association with the aeronautical world also adds to its essence as a place where life reaches upward. After catching an evening flight from Stansted Airport, I stayed the night in the comfort of the Mercure Hotel, which is situated in the heart of Toulouse's beguiling, winding streets, before beginning the next day with the most effective introduction to a city I've ever had. After breakfast me and my companions ventured to meet Chef Alejandro Javaloyas with his black cart in tow, from which he would decant every ingredient and instrument needed for the wonderful, informative and delicious Toulouse Gourmet Tour. The voyage took in seven spots, each of which provided the backdrop for a captivating tale on the backstory of the city, before we had a relevant dish made using a vast array of equipment from Alejandro's never-ending, Mary Poppins-like cart, to vividly bring the experience to life. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Alejandro Javaloyas takes us on the Toulouse Gourmet Tour | National World At our meeting spot, the Hôtel d'Assezat, we learned how blue de pastel exports in the 1500s brought unprecedented wealth to the city and the establishment of such opulent Renaissance-style buildings for the most successful merchants. The colouring dye was used for 200 years before indigo was brought over from the Americas, and during this blue boom over 200 of these mansions were built around the city, many of which are still in use today. We then parked up by the glorious Garonne River, where, after a devastating fire in 1463, clay was acquired from the banks to rebuild the city with a new, defining pink sheen that glistens spectacularly in the sunset. Nowadays the waterway acts as a perfect residing spot for the local residents and large student population, many of whom are engaged at the airport where the city's pioneering aeronautical industry is based. Toulouse is the birthplace of Airbus, which recently marked its 50th anniversary, and was also the home for Aeropostale, which was a pioneering aviation company that oversaw huge advances in air travel during mail-delivering trips to Morocco, Senegal and Brazil from the 1930s onwards. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad We learnt about this aspect of Toulouse at the Place du Capitole, a glorious space that also hosts a huge Christmas market, before turning our attention to the city's profound yet violent religious past at the astounding, French gothic influenced Couvent des Jacobins and in the quaint, communal surroundings of Place Saint-Georges. La Machine is a French performance art company known for its large-scale, mechanical creatures, including a giant spider called "La Princesse" | National World Javaloyas's background as a surrealist artist and experience in Michelin-starred restaurants, as well as his close, familial ties to the city, endowed his ability to captivate us tour-goers, and made his preparation of the food that bit more assured. Whether it was a pain au chocolat - or 'chocolatine' as the locals insist - crystallised violet sweets, Toulouse sausage or toasted baguette with goose spread, we felt in safe hands. After a quick break, my companions and I ventured outside the fairy-tale confines of the city to the Montaudran district, which is being heavily modernised after its long-standing association with Aéropostale since the 1930s. One of its central features is La Halle de la Machine, where you can discover a collection of street theatre contraptions designed and made by La Machine Company. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Members of the production collective took us around the warehouse of mysterious, interactive devices made from seemingly discarded items of wood and metal for a seemingly oblique purpose. Whether they were tentatively manipulating sound or haphazardly painting pictures, the machines were curious if not practical, and the experience added further to the city's quirky, intriguing side. Toulouse is known as 'La Ville Rose' - The Pink City - for the bright colouring of its buildings. | FINN The comparably down-to-earth mind behind the collective, François Delaroziere, then took us onto the former aircraft runway of the museum to tell us about the company's Pièces de résistance. While the scattering of instruments in the main hall was strikingly incomplete, the same could not be said for the giant, roaming minotaur and spider outside. The two pieces – along with a human-scorpion creature named Lilith – have previously been taken on escapades to various cities for street theatre performances where they have been pedalled around by members of the collective; soaring over the inhabitants of Toulouse, Lyon and elsewhere to François's delight. On the night we visited, they were utilised for the Mecanik Paradize music festival, during which they stalked each other around the energetic crowd (shown in the video at the top of the article) as though preparing for battle while French hip hop heavyweights Chinese Man delivered a lively set. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The electric atmosphere was set in the sultry October night as UK dance music extraordinaire Fatboy Slim then hit the stage for a pulsating headline show that saw him rattle through hits including 'Right Here, Right Now' and 'Eat, Sleep, Rave, Repeat'. Toulouse is in no short supply of great places to get food. | FINN After such a relentless first day, our second in Toulouse operated as a chance to let our senses come back to earth and be gradually re-enveloped in the city's many charms. With plenty of restaurants to choose from, it's more a question of where among Toulouse's stunning options you want to enjoy your meals, with options available in the array of city squares or by the river and indoor options aplenty in the tastefully decorated confines of traditional brasseries and cafes. We returned to Plaice Saint Georges for lunch at Monsieur Georges before heading for a sensational three-course gourmet dinner in the stylish setting of La Gourmandine Côté Cathédrale, which was just a stone's throw from the city's unique cathedral that has a Frankenstein-esque mismatch of styles that is oddly charming. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Cité de l'Espace is well worth a visit and a great representation of Toulouse's close association with aerospace. | Rémi Deligeon In both cases, the food was definitely rich and indulgent, with the mushroom risotto at Monsieur Georges going above and beyond in terms of flavour and portion size, and the evening meal showcasing locally sourced, sustainable ingredients with superb effect. There was also more touring and exploring to be done with the help of the enthusiastic, knowledgeable staff from the Tourist Office situated at Square Charles de Gaulle, who gave us further insight around the city's endlessly walkable streets before taking us to La Cité de l'espace. Situated on the outskirts, this interactive discovery centre features flight simulators, a telescope and planetarium to give you as close an experience as you can to touching the stars. There's also a beautiful garden area with a lunar rover and an old space station that is great to walk around.
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Scotsman
6 days ago
- Business
- Scotsman
Historic house that instills the 'Golden Age of Leith' comes onto market for £3.75m
A restored 17th Century merchant's house which is said to instill the Golden Age of Leith has come onto the market for £3.75m. Stunning Lamb's House in Waters Close is being sold by architects Kristin Hannesdottir and Nick Groves-Raines, who restored the property to reveal a place anchored deep in the maritime history of Leith while creating a comfortable and contemporary home. Built for Merchant Andrew Lamb in 1610, Lamb's House is Category A-listed and lies just 40 metres from the original Leith Harbour that boomed in trade with the Hanseatic countries in the early 17th Century. It is also said that Lamb's ancestor welcomed Mary Queen of Scots to his Leith house - where she stayed for an hour - when she returned to Scotland in 1561. Ten bedrooms, six bathrooms and eight public rooms are spread across the main four-storey house and attic, new extension and a separate Pavillion, which are all brought together into a courtyard surrounded by a Renaissance-style walled garden. It is being sold for offers over £3.75m Ben Fox, Residential Director at Savills Edinburgh, commented: 'Lamb's House is not merely a remarkable home—it is an enduring symbol of Scotland's architectural brilliance and cultural continuity. "Every stone, beam and bloom speaks to the spirit of Leith. To offer this property to the market is to invite someone to become the next steward of a truly exceptional chapter in Scotland' history.' The house was originally designed to accommodate both trade and residence, with six shops of the ground floor and apartments above, which were most likely rented to wealthy merchants who had rights to trade in the port. Savills said Lamb's House had been 'meticulously restored to the highest conservation standards". Original features include crow-stepped gables, a stone turnpike staircase, leaded windows, massive Baltic pine beams and ample fireplaces stretching up to 2.7 metres wide. According to accounts, more than £1m was spent on the restoration of the property by Kristin Hannesdottir and Nick Groves-Raines, whose Edinburgh practice was set up in the 1970s. Ms Hannesdottir also serves as the Honorary Consul of Iceland, with Lamb's House used as her consulate office. Other projects undertaken by the couple include the restoration Edinample Castle, Peffermill House and Liberton House, with several commissions undertaken for Wildland Ltd, the hospitality and conservation company owned by Anders Holch Povlsen, Scotland's richest man and largest landowner. Savills said Lamb's House had been 'meticulously restored to the highest conservation standards' The couple bought Lamb's House from National Trust for Scotland in 2010, with the property then in 'poor condition, heavily vandalised and very institutional,' according to the architects. NTS was gifted the property by the 4th Marquess of Bute, a conservationist who undertook his own restoration of a property that had suffered many additions and alterations. In the 1960s, the property was used as a care home and, earlier, it had been split into eight separate houses. The couple restored the house over a five-year period with 'modern additions removed, original elements revealed and sensitive interventions introduced,' a statement from Savills said. Waters Close was re-opened to re-connect the property with the harbour with a concrete public yard lifted to make way for a private, enclosed walled garden inspired by formal parterres of early Renaissance gardens. A little gap in the wall affords passers-by a 'glimpse into the oasis within - a gentle connections between private space and public curiosity'. 1 . Restoration gold The propery was bought from National Trust for Scotland by Edinburgh architects Kristin Hannesdottir and Nick Groves-Raines, who have revealed the building's historical essence while creating a comfortable home. | Savills Photo Sales 2 . A house of many parts Lamb's House has 10 bedrooms with the property coming in three parts - the main original four-storey house with attic, a Pavillion and modern extension. | Savills Photo Sales 3 . Everything has a place The interior style mixes original features - such as these huge ceiling beams - with carefully-sourced modern pieces. | Savills Photo Sales 4 . Simple lines A stone turnpike staircase harks back to the origins of Lamb's House, which was built in 1610 for Leith merchant Andrew Lamb. It was one of the features brought back into use during its most recent restoration. | Savills Photo Sales Related topics: Scotland
Scottish Sun
30-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Four-bedroom Victorian home has wowed house-hunters as it hits market – but wait until you see horrors that lurk inside
The home's fireplace is particularly eerie DARK DECOR Four-bedroom Victorian home has wowed house-hunters as it hits market – but wait until you see horrors that lurk inside Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) THIS glamorous Victorian home is known as the "Lavender House' because of its soft, painted exterior. However, the four-bed house - which is on sale for nearly £900,000 - hides a shocking secret. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 6 The home in Hastings has a annexe to use as an Airbnb Credit: rightmove 6 However, the inside of the main home has a sinister feeling Credit: rightmove 6 Mythological fauns are carved into the fireplace Credit: rightmove Located in Hastings, East Sussex, the glamorous Victorian home looks like the ideal house. With high windows looking out to the street, it is one of the biggest houses on the quiet road. It is built in a classical style, which exudes glamour and high class - something topped off by its coat of lavender paint. The front door has an ornate metal pattern and a frosted window, which looks onto a flight of of stairs taking visitors up into the house. However, that whimsical impression quickly begins to fall apart when entering the house. Pictures on Rightmove reveal that a pair of Renaissance-style saloon doors lead to a cupboard under the stairs, but things get really creepy when you head further in. The fireplace is decorated with a ghoulish design, depicting medieval style fauns lifting cherubic children into trees. The fauns have horns growing from their heads and their goat-like legs, complete with cloven hooves. Also, the house comes with a 'very traditional' toilet, with a wooden seat and 'thunderbox' fittings. Most of the walls are painted in a ghostly lime green and all of the floss are made of wood, which Rightmove says gives the impression that the house is 'breathing'. Iconic Grand Designs 'perfect' house which couple spent 20 years 'painstakingly' renovating hits market for £1.5million The huge rooms - set across three floors - are sparsely furnished, save for Victorian-style furniture. Much of the furnishings are covered in white shrouds, matching the lacey curtains cloaking the windows. The house is currently owned by an artist, who converted a separate annexe to the rear into an AirBnB letting. The seller is asking for £899,950 for the home which is a 15 minute walk to Hasting's station. It sits in the famous All Saints Street, which has several pubs and houses built in classical styles. Hastings made headlines just months ago, after another glamorous home went on sale in the area. St Ann's Cottage on Castle Hill Road has five-bedrooms as well as a centuries-old cave. The 18th-century home was on sale for £600,000 after being listed at £350,000 just a year earlier. 6 The toilet is built in a very old-fashioned style Credit: rightmove 6 The walls are painted in an eerie lime green Credit: rightmove
The Star
16-07-2025
- The Star
Spain's Olive Oil Route is a slick way to visit the region
Olive trees dominate the Andalusian landscape, stretching out as far as the eye can see on either side of our path. And when Antonio Bermudez tells us how many there are, all jaws drop. The region is home to 66 million gnarled and twisted trees, some of which are 600 years old. 'They were here before Columbus set sail for America,' he says. The area in the southern Spanish province of Jaen is also known as the sea of olives, and is one of the largest olive growing regions in the world. Bermudez's job is to navigate his guests through this sea, by bike along the Via Verde del Aceite. Known as the 'Olive Oil Route', it's a 128km hiking and cycling trail that leads from Jaen to the town of Puente Genil, about 70km south of Cordoba. On the Via Verde del Aceite you can discover Spain's quieter side, away from the big cities and busy coastal resorts. Bermudez gets on his bike. Many of his guests, who come from all over the world, go on day trips that they combine with hiking or sightseeing. In Jaen, which is the start and end point of the route, there is a grand Renaissance-style cathedral and Arab baths that are among the best preserved across the entire Iberian Peninsula. Waterfalls and rugged rocks are typical in the Sierras Subbeticas National Park. The original Andalusia Others decide to cycle along longer stretches of the route, booking a luggage shuttle service. Bermudez says the section from Martos, a small mountainside town with medieval fortifications, is 'particularly beautiful'. It's around 60km from there to Cabra and 75km to Lucena, two small towns on the edge of the Sierras Subbeticas mountain range. 'You can look at the route as a sports challenge and do the whole thing quickly,' says Bermudez. But he suggests taking your time to get to know the original Andalusia. 'After all,' he says with a grin, '... it has much more to offer than just olive trees.' There is the town of Alcaudete, for example. Accessible via a 6km side road, it's home to one of the best-restored fortresses in Spain, a commanding castle of the Calatrava Order. Or the mountain village of Zuheros, whose whitewashed houses are perched on a rocky cliff above the cycle path. The village regularly makes it onto a list of the most beautiful villages in Spain. Right next door is the Sierras Subbeticas Natural Park, which is famous for its rugged peaks, waterfalls and the Cueva de los Murcielagos, a prehistoric cave that's home to different types of bat. It's open to visitors, making it ideal for a change from a morning sitting in the saddle. Disused railway lines Along the Olive Oil Route, ponies turn to look at the tourists as they cycle by and the scent of rosemary and wild flowers fills the air. You pass flocks of sheep, while cuckoos call down from the treetops. 'Nature is one of our greatest treasures,' says Bermudez. It's something you realise over and over again while cycling along the route. The Olive Oil Route is one of Spain's Via Verdes or Green Routes. The name doesn't betray the fact that these are former railway lines. Around 30 years ago, disused lines across the country began to be turned into hiking and cycling trails that are closed to motor vehicles. Trains couldn't handle major climbs, which means today's cycle paths are fairly flat, making them ideal for all age groups, from families with children to senior citizens. There are now more than 3,400km of former railways throughout Spain that you can explore by bike or on foot, divided into around 135 sections or connecting routes. Under the patronage of the Spanish Railway Foundation, care has been taken to preserve the traces of railway history. Around 125 former train stations now house bars or guest houses, tourist information centres, museums and bike hire shops. A view of Alcaudete from the castle of the Calatrava order. Viaducts with a view Converted stations can also be found along the Olive Oil Route. In Dona Mencia, part of the province of Cordoba, the station building is now a restaurant. Next door is Antonio Camacho bike rental business, located in a former oil warehouse. From the end of the 19th century, the route was mainly used to transport olive oil from the production areas of Jaen and Curdoba to the ports on the Mediterranean. 'The last railway line was taken out of service in 1985,' says Camacho. Since the turn of the millennium, different sections have gradually been transformed into cycle paths. 'The great thing is that cyclists can discover traces of the past all along the route,' he says. At Cabra station, for example, historic trains are a reminder of the line's history. In other sections, cyclists can expect tunnels, railway bridges and viaducts from the 19th century – they are among the most beautiful sections. 'If you find yourself cycling high up on one of the steel bridges, pause for a moment and take in the landscape,' Camacho says. The view consists of rivers, rugged mountains and whitewashed villages – and above all the sea of olive trees that give the route its name and its powerful appeal. – ALEXANDRA FRANK/dpa
