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Public Holiday in France Colmar (68 Haut-Rhin, Alsace) is one of the prettiest Alsatian towns in the heart of the vineyards, half-timbered buildings also known as a “little Venice” – and is an ideal setting for a Christmas market. It has one of the largest pedestrian-only areas and the whole area is bedecked with Christmas lights, decorated shop windows, [...] Being on the border with Germany, Strasbourg (67 Bas-Rhin, Alsace) has a long tradition of Christmas markets running from 1570. The atmosphere which reigns in Strasbourg is unique. It is especially in the late afternoon, just as night is falling, that the magic sets in, as if the city, suddenly conscious of scene. There are [...]
The town of Cassis (13 Bouches-du-Rhone, Provence) celebrates the harvest of the AOC Olive Oil (Huile d’Olive) from Les Baux de Provence at l’Oustau Calendal on 15 and 16 December 2007. Down on the Mediterranean coast, Christmas looks to be a bit incongruous to a northerner, but at Cassis (13 Bouches-du-Rhone) they have a Christmas Market (Marché de Noel) from 13-16 December 2007. More than 30 craftsmen and merchants (rigorously selected) offer the “Big Soup with 13 desserts, regional produce, mulled wine, champages, santons (carved Christmas [...] Grenoble (38 Isere, Rhone-Alpes) offers a magical Christmas experience 2- 24 December 2007 – held in the centre of the city in Place Victor Hugo and Place Grenette, there will be foie gras, chocolate, spiced bread, Christmas Tea, oysters, Christmas decorations, candles, flowers, Christmas trees, wooden toys, music box – and many little gifts for [...] Amiens (80 Somme, Picardie) claims to host the largest Christmas Market in Northern France 24 November – 29 December 2007. In addition to the stalls offering Christmas fayre, gifts, crafts etc, you could take advantage of the skating rink (patinoire).
For the Christmas Market in Arras (62 Pas-de-Calais) which runs from 30 November – 24 December 2007 there is a touch of the Alps with a Swiss Festival being the highlight on Saturday 1 December – Swiss music, art, cheese will endow the Grand Place with a real alpine feel. Whilst a trip to France still represents good value, the rising cost of fuel and a stronger Euro against the pound are having an impact on the budget for such a trip. Wine, French beer and many foods still are at attractive prices, and in general hotel and restaurant prices are significantly lower than the [...] The Chateau of Vaux-le-Vicomte at Maincy (77 Seine-et-Marne, Ile de France) about 50km southeast of Paris, celebrates the Christmas season in style – sumptuous decor, giant christmas tree, crackling fire places and illuminations throughout the gardens! Enchantment starts with a white christmas trees path leading towards the entrance of the chateau. The town of Licques (62 Pas de Calais) about 16 miles south of Calais holds its annual Turkey Festival (Fête de la Dinde) in the run up to Christmas (15-17 December 2007). This involves herding the doomed birds through the town with a competition for the best bird. These Turkeys are prized for their moistness [...] Until 20 January 2008 there is a splendid exhibition of Marc Chagall’s ceramics at the art-deco gallery at La Piscine de Roubaix, the coverted 1930s municipal swimming pool at Roubaix near Lille (59 Nord, Nord-Pas-de-Calais). The building itself is well worth a visit tastefull renovated retaining and enhancing the art deco features, whilst the original [...] If you miss Christmas market in Lille (59 Nord) which closes on 24 December 2007 you can always try the New Year Market (Marche de l’An Neuf) which runs from 26 December to 6 January 2008. Held in the Place Rihour, the emphasis is on local crafts, but with all the decorations and the Carousel [...] Our Free Prize Draw this year is for a copy of Vicki Archer’s My French Life which is a wonderfully evocative celebration of France, especially Provence and Paris. Superbly illustrated it will delight anyone with a passion for France and things French. To enter (closing date 14 December 2007) go to www.frenchduck.co.uk Etaples (62 Pas de Calais, Nord-Pas-de-Calais) celebrates its 15th Herring Fesitval (Fete du Hareng Roi) on the weekend of 10-11 November 2007. They take Christmas quite seriously in Eastern France, especially St Nicolas, whose feast day falls on 6 December. Nancy tends to be a little off the beaten track for visitors from the [...] |
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