Once I look again on my journeys, so a lot of them have coincided with native festivals and occasions. It’s been an effective way to immerse myself in French tradition. Whether or not it was scheduling a visit to start with a wine pageant or the annual herding of sheep in the direction of the mountains for his or her annual grazing, my journeys to France had been made rather more memorable due to these occasions.
Journey Planning Revolves Round Native Festivals And Occasions In France
In the present day, a variety of my planning revolves round making an attempt to coordinate my time with the native festivals and occasions in France. Here’s a listing of fêtes that I’ve attended. They could offer you some inspiration and make your planning a bit simpler.
1. June-September: Summer time Sound And Mild Reveals
Many cities have spectacular church buildings and monuments which can be used because the centrepiece for his or her night sound and light-weight exhibits. Probably the most well-known is in Rouen.
I noticed the Rouen Cathedral lit up and accompanied by commentary and music once I was there for the Rouen Armada within the month of June. (The Armada solely takes place each 5 years). It takes place every night (between late Might to late September) at 11:00 p.m. with the crowds gathering within the sq. in entrance of Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Rouen. The efficiency lasts about half-hour.
Examine it right here: Sound And Mild Present In Rouen
2. June 6: D-Day Celebrations
June 6, 2024, was the eightieth anniversary of D-Day when the Allies landed on the northern shores of France and started their Normandy invasion in opposition to the Nazis.
(a) Juno Seashore
Yearly, the Canadians commemorate this present day on the Juno Seashore Centre in Courseulles-sur-Mer. The ceremony normally begins round 10:30 am.
The centre is Canada’s Second World Conflict Museum and cultural centre and I made certain to attend in 2023. The opposite allies have their respective commemorations as nicely. The ceremonies acknowledged the courageous troopers who took half within the June 6 Operation Overlord and Battle of Normandy, and the 45,000+ who misplaced their lives through the conflict. There was a reception underneath a tent with complimentary cider and hors d’oeuvres.
Examine it right here: D-Day Anniversary Celebration
(b) Canada Home
Additionally on June 6 at 9:00 pm at Canada Home in Bernières-sur-Mer there may be the annual Lantern Ceremony which options bagpipers from the Pegasus Pipes and Drums, the Queen’s Personal Rifles of Canada, and a delegation from the Regiment de la Chaudière. A procession strikes a lantern to the ocean and this symbolizes our freedom and honours our fallen heroes.
Examine it right here: Canada Home
3. June 21: Fête de la Musique
I attended a Fête de la Musique in Sarlat and on virtually each road nook there have been musicians taking part in, You simply walked across the city soaking within the musical vibes. This celebration of music takes place throughout France so there’s an enormous probability the city you go to will have fun this World Music Day.
Examine it right here: Fête de la Musique
4. Early July: La Course Camarguaise
“La Course Camarguaise” is Provencal bullfighting however it’s in contrast to the standard bullfighting the place the animal is killed. Any such occasion includes razeteurs, younger males wearing white, who attempt to seize a ribbon off the bull’s horn. These competitions run all through the summer season in varied cities in Provence, nevertheless, the “large” camarguaise occasion is in Arles and is named the Cocarde d’Or.
What I favored had been the opening ceremonies. Locals wearing conventional outfits would parade within the amphitheatre and there can be dancing and pageantry with horses. It was an exquisite presentation that was adopted by the camarguaise. Do attempt to see one in every of these competitions. The razeteur’s agility is mind-boggling!
Examine it right here: Provencal Bullfighting-La Course Camarguaise
First Weekend In July: Carnival de Paris
It has not but been confirmed whether or not the Carnaval Tropical de Paris will happen in Paris the primary weekend in July. Prior to now, there’s a grand parade full of dancing, music, and floats on the Champs-Élysées.
Examine it right here: Tropical Carnaval In Paris
5. July And August: Medieval Festivals
Once I’ve visited varied castles within the Loire Valley (ie. Château de Saumur) and even ruins in Provence (Le Château des Baux de Provence) in the summertime, there have been medieval festivals, full with jousting, sword preventing, with shows of siege weapons, actors in medieval costumes, and celebrations and meals achieved the “medieval manner”. It’s an particularly great expertise for the household.
Learn concerning the châteaux and actions right here: Distinctive Châteaux In The Loire Valley
6. July 13 or July 14: Bastille Day Fireworks
Whereas La Fête Nationale (Nationwide Day in France and the anniversary of the storming of the Bastille) is an enormous celebratory day in France, it’s additionally my birthday, and fortunate for me, many particular occasions happen.
It’s all concerning the fireworks and on July 13 in Etretat, probably the most spectacular show stuffed the sky in entrance of the alabaster cliffs. One other yr, I celebrated on the 14th on a dinner cruise which ended on the Eiffel Tower with an exquisite show of fireworks proper in entrance of us.
MANY cities could have Bastille Day fireworks shows. Some might be on the thirteenth and a few will happen on the 14th. I usually discuss with a Fb web page for updates however Hervé additionally has a hyperlink to a web page that says upcoming dates for varied pyrotechnic exhibits or fireworks shows:
L’agenda des feux d’artifices et spectacles pyrotechniques
Listed here are my experiences on the fireworks within the two cities I discussed:
–Fireworks on July 13 in Etretat
–Fireworks on July 14 in Paris
7. August: La Fête de la Véraison In Châteauneuf-du-Pape
In the course of the first weekend in August, Châteauneuf-du-Pape within the Luberon has a most luxurious wine pageant. Though it’s been years since I final attended, I’ve very fond reminiscences of with the ability to utilizing my tasting cup (tastevin) to pattern limitless quantities of my favorite wine….crimson and white!
There’s a parade, a medieval market, troopers in fits of armor, strolling musicians, and lots of, many stalls serving meals and wine.
Listed here are some photos of my go to: La Fête de la Véraison
8. Early October: Fête des Vendanges In Paris
Love French meals and wine blended with leisure and free excursions? Take into account visiting Montmartre in Paris the second weekend in October for the annual Fête des Vendanges. The meals and wine stalls encompass Basilique du Sacré-Cœur de Montmartre and the crowds are large however the ambiance is fabulous. One large celebration. There are free excursions (like those I took) of the Montmartre vineyards and even the Moulin Rouge…simply make sure to join as quickly as reservations open.
Examine it right here: Fête des Vendanges In Paris
9. December: Pageant Of Lights In Paris
I particularly went to France in December to see the Christmas markets and what shocked me was that the particular gentle exhibits that had been happening in varied parks in and round Paris (Pageant of Lights) had been the hit. They had been much more pleasurable than visiting the markets as a result of every one was totally different. To make clear, I’m not speaking about Christmas lights that adorn the facade of shops. These are festivals that cowl all the space of parks with illuminated sculptures and inflatable shows.
The Pageant of Lights takes place in Jardin d’Acclimatation, Parc Floral, and Jardin des Plantes and run from late November into January. There are just a few different gentle festivals that I didn’t make it to and they’re situated in La Villette (north of Canal Saint Martin) and in areas a bit additional exterior of Paris.
You possibly can see lots of the shows and lemon pastries right here: Pageant Of Lights In Paris
10. Late February/Early March: Fête du Citron
The Lemon Pageant has taken place in Menton since 1934 and whereas there have been just a few years when it didn’t run, it is likely one of the premier festivals on the Côte d’Azur. It was cancelled the day earlier than I arrived; nevertheless, all was not misplaced. The entire shows (made with lemons and oranges) had been nonetheless up and the climate was nice. Sadly, the entire parades had been cancelled too. Good has an identical pageant that takes place across the identical time.
Examine it right here: Fête du Citron In Menton
11. Finish of Might/Early June: Transhumance
The Fête de la Transhumance takes place in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence the primary Monday of Pentecost (Whit Monday). Annually, farmers take the sheep across the city two occasions after which herd them in the direction of the hills in Provence the place the pastures are greener.
Examine it right here: Transhumance In Saint-Rémy
I hope you possibly can align your journey plans with one in every of these distinctive occasions. They’re notably particular and can make your journey that rather more memorable.
Have you ever attended any native festivals and occasions in France that you just’ve beloved? Please share.
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