FrenchDuck’s databank

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, Christmas stalls.

First of all there’s the ambiance of the Old Town, illuminated and decorated like a fairy tale : a historic setting made magical by the Christmas illuminations which, in this festive period, blend harmoniously with the wonderful lighting designed to enhance the town’s heritage, and lay a soothing aura of light over the centre of Colmar.
Town centre which is essentially pedestrian, comprises numerous architectural treasures such as monuments, churches, museums and alleys, built for the most imposing from Middle Age to 19th century. Do not miss to be amazed by the Maison Pfister, the Koïfhus, Unterlinden museum, Little Venice, the House of the Heads and Saint Martin Collegiate church.
The whole town is decorated like a dream to turn the old centre into a veritable open-air theatre where the warm Christmas mood envelops the heart of the town.

For 2007 the festivities run from 24 November to 31 December 2007 - for more info see www.ot-colmar.fr

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 also many treats to feast ourselves on : sweets, mulled wine, doughnuts…

For good measure, a giant Christmas tree is planted in Place Kleber, there are concerts, giving you a chance to appreciate the beauty of the cathedral and the city’s churches, and a whole host of activities allowing you to discover the rich Alsatian traditions. As for the children, they will love the delightful boat ride through the city.

This year it runs from 24 November to 31 December 2007,
For more info see www.ot-strasbourg.com

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.
Two days dedicated to tasting this oil which comes from a recognised and special “terroir” which produces some excellent olive oils - workshops allow you to learn about the different aromas - including the “green fruit” tones of artichokes. hay, thyme… or the “mature” aromas of mushrooms, truffles,conserved tomatoes…..

Les Baux de Provence , south of Avignon in the Alpilles mountains is just one of 7 recognised AOC regions in France for olive oil:-
Huile d’olive de Nyons
Huile d’olive de la Vallée des Baux-de-Provence
Huile d’olive d’Aix-en-Provence
Huile d’olive de Haute-Provence
Huile d’olive de Nice

This applies strict rules on planting, varieties and yield within specified geographic areas designed to produce a superior product.
Huile d’olive de Corse - Oliu di Corsica
Huile d’olive de Nîmes

Contact the Cassis Tourist Office on 00 33 892 25 98 92 or at www.ot-cassis.com

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 figurines) and numerous ideas for gifts.
Music and wine complete a festive family atmosphere.
Throughout December there are displays of Christmas cribs and a Christmas Exhibition!

See www.ot-cassis.com

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 all the family!

For more info see www.grenoble-isere.info

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).
Its also a chance to visit the impressive Gothic Cathedral of Notre Dame which will be lit up every night.

For more info see www.marchedenoel-amiens.com

There are numerous criteria for selecting the perfect holiday gite - for me it has to be a combination of tranquility, privacy, a decent view, comfortable accommodation, swimming pool; within walking distance of a bar, shop and preferably a restaurant; within striking distance of a town with a good selection of shops - and with vineyards nearby where I can purchase some good local wines.
The Mas de Couderc at Degagnac (46 Lot, Midi-Pyrenees) fits all these criteria - about 10km south of Gourdon and 30km north of Cahors it is also close to the Dordogne for visits to Sarlat and the Valley of the Dordogne. Wine wise the vineyards of Cahors start a little to the south, and Bergerac is a bit further afield. Goose, Duck and walnuts are the local specialties.
The gite is available throughout the year, and because you book direct weekly rentals are good value for money. Monsieur and Mme Verot speak good English (she is English!)
For more info and pictures see www.frenchduck.co.uk/couderc

Contact the owners Serge and Yasmin Verot

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.
For the rest of the month there will be plenty of seasonal cheer and stalls to explore - Christmas decorations, wooden roses, stained glass, Laguiole knives, teddy bears, arts and crafts - gastronomic delights will include honey, foie gras, chutneys, regional specialties from the Auvergne and SW France, mulled apple juice, mulled cider, mulled wine, oysters and roast chestnuts - all within the setting of the impressive Grand Place in the centre of town. And less than an hour from Calais it could add a real touch of France to your (long) day trip or weekend - or a brief detour off the main route to Paris!
For more info see www.ot-arras.fr

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 equivalent in the UK. Rail prices are much cheaper - although beware of strikes!

Currently Travelex are offering (22 November 2007) a rate £1 = €1.348 - so a euro is worth about 71p.

For fuel, based on Carrefour’s prices at Calais:

Unleaded 95 (Sans Plomb 95); €1.329 per litre (98.6p)
Unleaded 98 (Sans Plomb 98); €1.369 per litre (101.6p)
Diesel (Gazole); €1.195 per litre (88.6p)

These are competitive fuel prices - you may have to pay substantially more on motorways or at some non-supermarket pumps.

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.
In the stately rooms, a new atmosphere is set up with sumptuous christmas decor and music.
kids will also have the possibility to rent costumes to visit the castle!
Then, the Wise Men will guide the visitor on the track of the Shepherd’ Star leading to the baroque crib created by Hilton McConnico.

The festivities run from 22 December 2007 until 6 January 2007 (closed 25 December and 1 January) For more info see www.vaux-le-vicomte.com

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 and flavour.
There is also a food market (Marche de Terroir) running throughout the weekend which will feature the local liqueur, the Licquoise.

For more info see www.licques-volailles.fr

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 design of the swimming pools lends a real sense of spaciousness - don’t fall in to the water though!

Whilst there you could stay at the Jardin d’Alix B&B in nearby Tourcoing which is on the main tramway line into the centre of Lille.

For more info on the Musée de la Piscine de Roubaix see www.roubaix-lapiscine.com

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 in the Grand Place still operating, the atmosphere should be really festive.
For moew info see www.marche-an-neuf.com

In the heart of the Loire Valley there is an ideal solution for francophiles who are interested in wine. The Domaine de la Bellevue not only offers some stylish self-contained accommodation but also an opportunity to get really close to the process of transforming grapes into wine.

Surrounded by vineyards and sleepy hamlets our French/Anglo home is a delightful, peaceful retreat. Ideally located for discovering the Loire Valley and beyond, La Bellevue is conveniently close to Saumur, Chinon, Montreuil-Bellay, Fontevraud l’Abbaye and Angers.

In the company of a knowledgeable vigneron, wine-maker, discover the world of wine and enhance your understanding and recognition of an ‘inferior’/’superior’ wine. Spend time discovering how wine is produced at a stunning Domaine in the heart of the val de loire. Or perhaps try your hand at grape-picking during harvest.

With the added benefits that come with an English hostess and a French vigneron you can just enjoy the scenery and try the wines - or take a private wine tour with a winemaker - or have your own wine-tasting evening with expert advice and local knowledge - or if you are feeling really energetic (and no back problems) then get involved with the grape picking at harvest time.

Situated just south of Saumur, famous for its Sparkling Chenin Blanc, dry still white and the red Saumur-Champigny AC this is an area rich in chateaux, history and wine. The Domaine’s association with Domaine de la Paleine, a few kilometres away at Le Puy Notre Dame (49 Maine-et-Loire, Pays de Loire) gives you privileged access to a vineyard which has won recognition in the respected Guide Hachette des Vins de France, winning a Coup de Coeur in the 2008 edition for the red Saumur “Moulin des Quints” 2005 made from Cabernet Franc. They also produce Saumur Brut (sparkling), Saumur Blanc (dry white), Coteaux de Saumur (a dessert wine based on Chenin Blanc) and two rosés - Cabernet de Saumur (dry) and a Cabernet d’Anjou (medium dry) - see the website at www.domaine-paleine.com (there is more info on the French language version)

For more information on the Chambre d’Hote at Domaine de la Bellevue - see www.domainedelabellevue.com

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.
Etaples is an important centre for commercial (and amateur) fishing on the English Channel (or French Manche) at the mouth of the River Canche, close to classy Le Touquet. This version offers grilled, smoked and marinated herrings plus stories of the sea! (see www.etaples-tourisme.com)

Alternatively, the following weekend (17-18 November 2007) Boulogne-sur-Mer holds its Herring Festival with the addition of sea-shanties and the arrival of the Beaujolais Nouveau, which happens to be quite a good food and wine combination! (see www.tourisme-boulognesurmer.com)

They take Christmas quite seriously in Eastern France, especially St Nicolas, whose feast day falls on 6 December.
In Nancy, capital of 54 Meurthe-et-Moselle, Lorraine the Christmas Market runs for a whole month from 24 November to 24 December 2007 - see www.ot-nancy.fr

Nancy tends to be a little off the beaten track for visitors from the UK but could be well worth a visit, as the historic 18th Century city centre’s buildings are recognised by UNESCO as a World Heritage Centre. An elegant city, with classic 18th century architecture and boulevards. Nancy is only 1 hour and 30 minutes from Paris with the new TGV Est. Previous journey time 2 hours 45 minutes.
You can book tickets online for Eurostar, TGV, TGV Est and any destination in France.