French Duck’s databank on France, French wine, French food, travel to and within France and events in France
| June 15, 2008 |
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
| September 21, 2008 |
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
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 well worth a visit. It’s close to the Dordogne with vineyards stretching down to the river.”
Velines is on the main Bergerac – St Emilion road (D936) a few kilometres west of Saint-Foy-la-Grande.
There is no website. but details can be found at the Bergerac Tourist Office. Gardens open daily from Easter to All Saints Day (November 1st) from 10h to 18h
| September 16, 2007 |
The Ban des Vendanges de la Jurade de St Emilion is a festival to formally announce the beginning of the harvest of the wines of St Emilion (33 Gironde, Aquitaine), one of the great wines of Bordeaux.
The “Jurade” is one of those French inventions to recreate a usually fictitious ancient brotherhood of men (and sometimes women) who guard the reputation of the wine - and gives them the opportunity to dress up in funny clothes, hold induction ceremonies, parade through the town, announce the beginning of the harvest from the top of an ancient tower - and imbibe serious quantities of fine wine.
The village is in festive mood for the day - and in all of Bordeaux, St Emilion is the most attractive and interesting village.
