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[ February 7, 2012 to November 20, 2011. ] The small south-west appellation of Madiran (64, Aquitaine) is home to the Tannat grape, producing rich, sometimes tannic red wines. This is a rural area – no large towns. rolling countryside heavy with vines. The village of Madiran is not busy metropolis – just quiet and peaceful. Here you will find the Prieuré Hotel Restaurant with comfortable rooms [...] [...]
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With the 2007 Rugby World Cup kicking off in early September, it is worth knowing when and where the matches are to be held – if only so that you can avoid the additional heavy traffic for several hours around the match time. Particularly susceptible to congestion will be the Paris Peripherique and the A1 [...] [...] [ September 21, 2007 to September 23, 2007. ] Close to the Belgian border on the way to Luxembourg the town of Charleville-Mézières (08 Ardennes, Champagne-Ardenne) holds a Drum Festival (Tambours de Fete )where the town beats to the rhythm of worldwide percussions. During three days drums echoes in the town, they are everywhere!!! This festival is a time for festive and original events apéri-drum is the [...] [...] [ November 16, 2007 to November 19, 2007. ] The annual Salon des Vignerons Independants (independent winemakers) takes place in Lille Grand Palais – hundreds of producers from all over France offer tastings and sales at vineyard gate prices – sample, chat and learn and buy – just in time to stock up for Christmas PLUS Lille is a lively city with great restaurants [...] [...] Between St Emilion (33 Gironde, Aquitaine) and Bergerac (24 Dordogne, Aquitaine) there is a special garden centred on an old 18th century farmhouse – combining both English and Italian themes – the Jardins du Sardy at Velines (24 Dordogne, Aquitaine). JF reports: “We saw it advertised in the tourist office in St Emilion, and we found it [...] [...] [ August 31, 2007 to September 2, 2007. ] Agen (47 Lot-et-Garonne, Aquitaine) is home to the famous Agen Prune – the gently baked moist plums which are a key feature of SW France cuisine. The delicacy (although not that delicate) is protected as an Appellation Controllee. Agen celebrates its Prune with a weekend festival every Autumn – taste and learn with music and dancing [...] [...] [ September 13, 2007 to September 16, 2007. ] Nimes (30 Gard, Languedoc-Roussillon) celebrates the grape harvest with a 3–day festival centred around Bullfighting – Corridas, but you really do not have to get involved with the bulls to enjoy the atmosphere and other events. For more info see www.frenchduck.com [...] [ September 1, 2007 3:00 pm to September 2, 2007 11:59 pm. ] Every first weekend in September, ever increasing numbers of people enjoy this great annual rendezvous of flea market fanaticism, bric a brac hunting, bargaining, and amateur salesmanship. The Braderie: a 48 hour festival of brocanteurs all around the city of Lille. But be warned, this is a very popular event, so hotels are likely to be [...] [...] [ August 23, 2007 to August 24, 2007. ] The town of Villeneuve-sur-Lot (47 Lot-et-Garonne, Aquitaine) holds a 2–day festival to celebrate the local Prune (pruneau) when the Prune is King! (Le Pruneau Roi) – demonstrations of the history and transformation of the plum into prune, parades, music, clowns, and a cookery competition using prunes 23–24 Aug 07 For more info see Villeneuve-sur-Lot – Animations. [...] [ August 31, 2007 to September 2, 2007. ] Nantes is best known for being the major city on the western extremities of the River Loire – but it is also built on a smaller river, the River Erdre which runs in from the north. In September the city celebrates a 3–day “meeting on the Erdre” (Rendezvous de l’Erdre) – a very French mix of music [...] [...] [ September 19, 2007 to September 23, 2007. ] Orleans (45 Loiret, Centre) celebrates Europe’s last wild river, the Loire, with a meeting of French and foreign traditional riverboats. Nautical demonstrations, water shows, magical evenings, dinner-dances, Loire crafts and products village, conferences, exhibitions. This is the Loire like you’ve never seen before ! For more info see www.festivaldeloire.com [...] [ September 1, 2007 to September 2, 2007. ] The Third edition of Le Marché des Vins de Saumur (49 Maine-et-Loire) on the Loire. More than 6,000 visitors are expected. Tastings, auctions and a tour of the town will be the highlights of this weekend. Traditionally famous for sparkling white wines made from the Chenin Blanc grape, in recent years the red Cabernet Franc of [...] [...] [ August 31, 2007; 6:30 pm to 10:30 pm. ] Vinsobres is one of the named Côtes du Rhône Villages – entitled to include the name of the village on the label – indicating a generally higher quality from vines grown on the hillsides on the edge of the southern Rhône Valley. This festival and ceremony marks the official start of grape picking (vendanges) and includes [...] [...] [ September 15, 2007 to September 16, 2007. ] The Ministry of Culture sponsors an annual open day on the third weekend of September when over 15,000 monuments and buildings throughout France which are normally closed to the public are opened. Such has been the success of the event which has been held in France for over 20 years, that it is now Europe-wide. This is [...] [...] [ September 16, 2007; ] Fougerolles (70 Saone, Rhone-Alpes) on the edge of the Vosges mountains southwest of Alsace holds its annual Foire aux Beignets de Cerises and Kirsch (Cherry eau-de-vie) tastings. For more info see www.frenchduck.com [...] Locally produced Beef and Veal, capons (la poule noire de Barbezieux), snails, beans, chestnuts, goats cheese and truffles are just a few of the specialities available in the Charente departement. The area is perhaps best known for Cognac brandy – also try Pineau des Charentes – a local blend of unfermented grape juice and cognac. The following [...] [...] [ August 17, 2007 to August 19, 2007. ] Between Montauban and Toulouse and Toulouse (82 Tarn et Garonne, Midi-Pyrenees) the town of Fronton celebrates a weekend of scents and flavours including the local wines from Fronton AC (previously known as the Côtes du Frontonnais). A feast for the senses (lots of colour, lots of music and lots of food and wine to delight [...] [...] [ August 17, 2007 to August 19, 2007. ] High in the Pyrenees southwest of Toulouse, the town of Bagneres de Luchon celebrates its annual Flower Festival bringing more colour to this already attractive town surrounded by mountains. For more info see www.luchon.com [...] [ August 15, 2007; ] Festival to celebrate the connection between windmills and bread (Fete du Four au Moulin) including a demonstration of milling the flour in the traditional manner (wind permitting!) – plus a Marché de Terroir (farmers market) – lots of different breads to try, music,dancing in this village also famous for its Pink Garlic (Ail Rose) festival [...] [...] [ August 27, 2007 to September 2, 2007. ] Dijon (21 Cote d’Or, Bourgogne) has its Vine Festival at the end of August, which is not just about wine. The medieval city combines a wine festival as the wine harvst approaches with an annual celebration of world folklore. 2007 see the 59th festival which will include performances throughout the city by folk musicians from around [...] [...] |
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