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With the arrival of Spring comes a celebration of Birds and Wildlife in Picardie ( Festival de l’Oiseau et de la Nature) from 12 - 20 April 2008. Forget the stereotyped connotations of Picardy, the Somme and northern France, this is an area of lakes, sanddunes, cliffs and gentle river valleys which is a haven for birds and wildlife - fantastic walking country, glorious seascapes and plenty of paths for hiking and rambling, and an extensive network of cycle paths. Whilst it may lack the best of the weather and has few exciting towns, the countryside is well worth a visit - especially as it is so close to the Channel ports of Calais, Boulogne, Dieppe and Le Havre.
The festival itself will offer guided walks, exhibitions, films and workshops, but the landscape and wildlife are the main attractions.
For more info on the Festival see www.festival-oiseau-nature.com/
For more info on the region generally see www.picardietourisme.fr

For somewhere a little different to stay in Picardie you could try the Belle Dune self-catering Holiday Village.

Belle Dune is one of Pierre & Vacances’ most popular self catering holiday villages in France. Built in the 20th Century style of the Picardy region, the village nestles in a preserved natural area of sand dunes, is surrounded by a large lake and flanked by one of France’s finest golf courses. On-site activities are numerous, the beach is accessible by train plus a mini-market and an English pub.

For more info and special offers see P&V

Book your cross-channel ferry online -

A surprise to find Saffron being grown as far north as the southern Touraine, but the village of Preuilly-sur-Caise (37 Indre-et-Loire, Centre) celebrates this pricey spice with a Fete du Safran (16 Feb 2008) - fortunately held indoors at this time of year - where you can purchase saffron, and taste and buy saffron-infused products and/or try some special saffron recipes.

“The origins of saffron growing in southern Touraine are still shrouded in mystery. Today there are various theories of how it came about, including the practice being brought over by Arab armies in the 8th century and an original initiative by the monks at the local abbey. In any event, over the centuries the harvest of the precious Crocus sativus stigmas has become a veritable tradition in this southern part of Touraine . Every year, the one-day celebration that is Preuilly-sur-Claise Saffron Fair serves as a reminder of the fact. From 10 a .m. to 6 p.m. you can see the stalls bright with the magnificent purple colour of dried saffron, talk to the local producers about the best way of using the spice, and - why not - treat yourself to a sample of pure flavour? Remember, you only need a few stigmas to flavour a fish dish for example.”

The village lies in an attractive valley in the south of Touraine in the centre of a triangle between Tours, Poitiers and Chateauroux. There’s an interesting web site set up by a couple of Australians living in France which is worth exploring - Days on the Claise!
For more info see www.tourism-touraine.com

Over in Dijon (Cote d’Or, Burgundy) France’s leading micro-distiller Gabriel Boudier makes a Saffron Gin from a rediscovered French colonial recipe of eight natural botanicals.

Gabriel Boudier is a leading micro-distiller in Dijon France with a reputation for fine spirits since 1874. Saffron Gin is a unique recipe discovered in the archives of France’s colonial past when England and France both claimed India as their jewel and gin rich in exotic botanicals was the fashion. This handcrafted, small batch pot distilled gin is made from the finest natural botanicals, in addition to the Saffron which gives a delicately spicy character, the recipe has Juniper, Coriander, Lemon, Orange Peel, Angelica Seeds, Iris and Fennel, creating one of the most complex and memorable gins distilled today. Enjoy Saffron Gin on the rocks or with Tonic.

This exotic tipple is available from Arthur Rackham Emporia in Guildford and online.

UPDATE - the following additional info from Susan Walter at Days on the Claise:

I thought you might like to know that the Foire au Safran is one of those relatively recently revived ‘traditions’. Saffron hasn’t been grown commercially in the area for hundreds of years, but the local comité des fêtes thought it would be a fun theme to hang an annual event on. There are a few saffron growers, who take it very seriously and are keen to keep the tradition alive as far as possible, but it is acknowledged that it will never be more than a hobby for anyone. Bulbs are available for sale from one of the growers in the summer for anyone who wants to try them, and all the stall holders at the foire are very creative about introducing safran into their products. It’s a thoroughly enjoyable day and everyone is very relaxed and friendly. One of the hotels does a special saffron themed meal in the evening.

The Spring Festival (Fete de Printemps) takes place in the medieval town of St Emilion (33 Gironde, Aquitaine), one of the best appellations for Bordeaux red wines. There is always a colourful parade with a band through the town, with plenty of opportunities to taste some of the wines at any of the wine shops scattered through the town.
For more info see www.frenchduck.com

One way to make the best of winter could be to head to the ski resort of Isola 2000 (06 Alpes-Maritimes, Provence-Alpes-Cote d’Azur) where they hold an annual snowball fight (une tournée de batailles de boules de neige) - open to all, including families.
Isola 2000 is a ski resort built in the 1970s in the southern Alps, about 90 minutes from Nice. The 2000 refers to its altitude - 2000 metres above sea-level, as such almost guaranteed decent in all but the fairest winters.

For more info see www.isola2000.com

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In the east of France and to the east of Burgundy adjacent to Switzerland, the Ain is probably a little overlooked by most visitors.

With Bourg-en-Bresse as its principal town it is a region of gentle hills and river valleys - which is one of the hidden parts of France.

The departement includes Bugey and the wines of Bugey. These are VDQS wines (Vins Délimité de Qualité Superieure) - a classification between full Appellation Controllee and VIns de Pays. As such there are restrictions on grape varieties used and planting and harvesting techniques - and the grapes must be grown in the designated region. White wines from Chardonnay, Roussette; Rosé wines from Gamay and Poulsard; Reds from Gamay, Pinot and Mondeuse; and sparkling wines from Chardonnay. Seldom seen in the UK.
For an opportunity to taste some of these wines there is an open tasting in Lyon from 25-26 January 2008 - click here for more details
For more on the wines of Bugey see www.vinsdubugey.net
One of the highlights of the year is the celebration of the famous yellow corn-fed chickens from Bourg-en-Bresse - the Glorieuses de Bresse held every December shortly before Christmas (for 2008 it runs from 16-21 December 2008 - in the form of a market and other festivities held in Bourg-en-Bresse, Louhans, Pont de Vaux and Montrevel-en-Bresse - see www.glorieusesdebresse.com

More info - see the Ain Tourism Office

For an English run B&B in the region with a knowledgeable host and guide see B&B Burgundy

Toulouse (31 Haut Garonne, Midi-Pyrenees) is known as the Pink City but violet is the colour for February.

Every year in February, during the flowering season of this highly-perfumed little flower, the Festival de la Violette is organised by Les Amis de la Violette.
The violet is the emblematic flower of Toulouse, and has been cultivated by the market gardeners in the north of the city since the 19th century. Nowadays, “La Violette de Toulouse” is a registered trademark, to be found on a wide variety of products (sweets, perfume, liqueur, etc.) and offers an excellent reason to celebrate as well as to explore Toulouse - the City of Violets!

For more info see www.uk.toulouse-tourisme.com

The riviera town of Menton (06 Alpes-Maritimes, Provence) celebrates the citrus fruits every winter, bring a zesty touch of colour and animation to the town. The theme this year is the Islands of the World and the festivities include a Parade of Golden Fruits (floats of figures made from oranges and lemons (see below), a moonlit parade with fireworks, a Lemon Exhibition (A world tour in citrus: travel to all four corners of the world, as rendered by citrus fruits!) and illuminated gardens (Gardens of Light).
For more info see www.feteducitron.com

Whilst it may lack the international length and high glamour of its glory years the Monte Carlo Rally still makes an exciting spectacle through the Ardeche, Drome and Alpes-Maritime departements - through the mountains of Haut-Provence and down to the Mediterranean.
For details of the route and timings see www.acm.mc

The slower, but possibly better viewing for the spectator is the Rallye Historique, which does involve numerous start points such as Barcelona, Copenhagen, Turin and Reims before coming together for the final section down to Monte Carlo - this runs from 1- 6 February 2008. To qualify as “historic” the cars have to have been built before 1980!
For details of the route and timings see www.acm.mc

Buy at AllPosters.com

Carnaval time comes to Paris (Porte de Bagnolet) on 3 February 2008 which comprises “a festive costumed parade through Paris with a stately Limousine cow in a splendid red robe heading the procession. Called Pimprenelle Saint-Fargeau II, she is the carnival mascot and will lead the Fatted Ox parade (the Fatted Ox being a reference to a popular 16th century tradition).”

For more info see www.carnaval-pantruche.org/

Rail Europe offers great value rail fares from the new St Pancras International to Paris in 2h 15mins with Eurostar
See map of the route - starts at 3pm from the Porte de Bagnolet and ends at the Hotel de Ville.

View Larger Map

The wine fairs of the Vignerons Independents (independent winemakers) for the first half of 2008 include Paris (75 Paris, Ile de France), Porte de Champerret (on the northern Peripherique from 28-31 March 2008
For a small entry fee you get the chance to meet winemakers from all the wine regions of France, to taste some of their wines and buy at vineyard gate prices.
No co-operatives, negociants or multi-nationals

The wine fairs of the Vignerons Independents (independent winemakers) for the first half of 2008 include Lyon (69 Rhone, Rhone-Alpes), Eurexpo from 1-3 March 2008
For a small entry fee you get the chance to meet winemakers from all the wine regions of France, to taste some of their wines and buy at vineyard gate prices.
No co-operatives, negociants or multi-nationals

The Proclamation of the Harvest takes place in the medieval town of St Emilion (33 Gironde, Aquitaine), one of the best appellations for Bordeaux red wines. There is always a colourful parade with a band through the town, with plenty of opportunities to taste some of the wines at any of the wine shops scattered through the town.
For more info see www.frenchduck.com

The wine fairs of the Vignerons Independents (independent winemakers) for the first half of 2008 include Strasbourg (67 Bas Rhin,Alsace), Parc des Expositions Wacken from 15-18 February 2008.
For a small entry fee you get the chance to meet winemakers from all the wine regions of France, to taste some of their wines and buy at vineyard gate prices.
No co-operatives, negociants or multi-nationals

Eguisheim (68 Haut-Rhin, Alsace) celebrates its 48th Winegrowers’ festival in August 2008. Set in the heart of the Alsace vineyards you’ll find opend doots to local wine cellars, plenty of opportunities to taste (including some of the Grand Cru wines), folk dancing and music
For more info see www.ot-eguisheim.fr

As well as the Alsace Wine Route which extends throughout Alsace by road, there is also a signposted vineyard path (“Sentier viticole”) which will

“lead you to discover the wine and the vineyard of Eguisheim, in detail and in an unusual way. With the help of explanatory panels distributed along the route, you will get to know the 7 Alsatian types of vines. Some others panels present the work of wine growers. You will discover two great wines, Eichberg and Pfersigberg, with their relative geology and sun aspect of the vineyard. You will also enjoy the landscape, as the view of Eguisheim, Trois-Château, and vineyards.”

Eguisheim is also recognised as one of France’s Villes et Villages Fleuris offering a warm welcome and a wealth of blooms.

Eguisheim is one of the villages on the Route du Vin running from Thann to Marlenheim. This medieval town was built in concentric circles round its fortified castle, where the only Pope from Alsace, Leo IX, is said to have been born. It has a unique combination of civil and military architecture from the 15th Century. There is a pleasant signposted walk round the ramparts, actually following the old sentry path round the battlements. Everywhere are half-timbered houses, with balconies weighed down with the red geraniums which have become part of the heritage of Alsace !

The Alsace region has managed to preserve its ancestral traditions with its medieval castles rising up above the plain, a wealth of Renaissance and Neo-Classical architecture, varied gastronomy and original folklore. It also has some of the most famous vineyards in France, including its Wine Route. One option as a base for exploring this glorious region is the Résidence Le clos d’ Eguisheim, which is located on the “Alsace Wine Route” and is a complex inspired by local architecture comprising apartments and a heated indoor swimming pool

Public Holiday in France

Calais is celebrating the opening of a new space for the arts at the old Abattoir, now known as “le Channel”. This is an interesting complex of buildings which lends itself to a wide range of artistic events - performance (theatre, music, dance) and art exhibitions in a number of different sized and venues. From 27-31 December 2007 the mini-festival of Feu d’Hiver (Winter lights) is held with a wide array of events and displays.
For more info see www.lechannel.org
Also see the Calais Cote d’Opale Tourist Office

Held every year on the third Sunday in January (20 Jan 2008) the village of Sorges (24 Dordogne, Aquitaine) holds a competition to find the biggest truffle - and its the highly prized Black Truffle (truffe noire d’hiver).There is also a Truffle Market and the local hostelries will be offering Truffle omelettes!

For more info see www.sorges-perigord.com

The weekend of 14-16 December 2007 there is the “Petit Marché du Gros Souper“, (Christmas market) in St Remy-de-Provence (13 Bouches-du-Rhone, Provence) where you can find the traditional ingredients for the your festive celebrations.
active

At this time of the year, all of the shops are magnificently decorated, full of gifts and buzzing with activity.
Saint Remy de Provence is the home of a number of excellent santon makers, and first-rate producers of candied fruit, chocolates, biscuits, bread, cakes, honey, nougat and many other objects of delight, some of which are part of the symbolic Christmas thirteen desserts.

With strong links to Vicent Van Gogh and just 15 miles south of Avignon, St Remy is a lively and attractive Provencal town - close to the olive and grape vineyards of Les Baux de Provence and the Alpilles.
Recommended vineyard - Mas Sainte Berthe at Les Baux

Eurostar connections direct from London St Pancras International, Ebbsfleet. Ashford to Avignon:

For more info on the Christmas Market in St Remy-de-Provence CLICK HERE

Public Holiday in France