Provence (PACA)

Think ahead to warm (or even hot) Spring days in Provence – add the magnificent Pope’s Palace (Palais de Papes) in Avignon and a stunning exhibition of roses – sounds vert enticing! 13 May -16 May 2010 are the dates for the 2010 edition of this annual celebration of the beautiful Rose.

For 4 days the Cloister of St Benedict in the Palais de Papes is bedecked with hundreds of varieties of roses,  including some new strains – making the whole place a riot of colour and perfume. There  is a competition for the best rose and the opportunity to buy or just enjoy.

However implausible it may seem even southern Provence has had snow this winter – so its not just the northern climes which have suffered – see www.avignon-tourisme.com for pictures of Avignon in the snow!!

Avignon is always worth visiting any time of year – a great combination of lively modern city, medieval walled town and Palace, the famous truncated Pont d”Avignon Bridge across the Rhone (real name Pont St Benazit) – surrounded by superb Provencal countryside (St Remy de Provence with its market and Van Gogh connections is only a short distance away- plus plenty of great wines and local produce to enjoy.

For more info on Altera Rosa see www.alterarosa.com

For more info on Avignon see www.avignon-tourisme.com

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Nice (06 Alpes-Maritimes, Provence) celebrates its Carnaval from 12-28 February 2010 which has grown into one of  the largest carnivals in the world and is the main winter event on the Riviera with its carnaval parades, flower parades and parade of lights!

The carnival processions, comprising 20 floats telling the story of the “Blue Planet” work their way up to a crescendo of gigantic decorations on the Place Masséna. These giant, colourful parades take place day and night, with entertainment provided by over 1,000 musicians and dancers from across the world.

In a unique setting, on the Promenade des Anglais, the elegant “flower battles” are part of the carnival not to be missed. On floats decorated with the most stunning floral compositions, extravagantly dressed characters throw out mimosas, gerberas, and lilies into the public …

Carnival provides locals and visitors with a chance to enjoy themselves before the privations of Lent and certainly brightens up the long dull winter days – although the Riviera is seldom dreary even in mid-winter.

For more info see www.nicecarnaval.com

On Saturday 19 December 2009 the square in front of the Palais des Papes (Palace of the Popes) in Avignon (84 Vaucluse, Provence) will be the setting for a splendid Christmas pageant. The backdrop of the palace is always impressive and with Christmas spirit abounding this should be worth a visit and a diversion from Christmas shopping in the many specialist shops and boutiques which the city offers.

An amazing new event for everyone who wants to enter the legend of Father Christmas. A unique, magical performance in front of the Palace of the Popes, a thirty-minute show featuring special effects, giant sets, fireworks and beautiful lighting to tell a wonderful story which takes place in Provence. After the show, young and old alike can meet Father Christmas and his elves, who will be distributing hot chocolate, Christmas crackers and surprises.

Whilst there you can also indulge in the Christmas Market(Marché de Noel)  in the Place d’Horloge (26 November 2009 -2 January 2010 ) with a village of 60+ chalets offering craft jewelery, candles, lamps,  specialities such as local wines, nougat, candied fruits, chocolate, honey, gingerbread, games and wooden toys.  Free entertainment, parades, concerts for children and adults accompanying the event.

Make a weekend break of it with Eurostar and TGV –
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For more info see www.provenceguide.co.uk

In the depths of a British winter it is always enticing to look ahead to warm summer days in France. However, you need not wait quite so long if you head to the French Riviera in February – notably to Menton (06 Alpes-Maritimes, Provence) for its annual Lemon Festival (12 February to 3 March 2010).
Every Sunday during the Festival there is a vibrant parade of floats decorated with citrus fruits, bands, dancers in exotic costumes – along the seafront.

A multicoloured festival under the sun! The town comes alive on Sunday mornings, when coaches and cars dance through the streets, an endless farandole of people swaying down the alleyways to the sea. Laughter and joy shine from happy faces everywhere.

Today is a holiday! A wide-eyed child stares in wonderment at the confetti showering from the sea blue sky… Creative masks and sumptuous costumes abound; fanfares twirl and zigzag through the citrus-laden floats to the sound of traditional drums.

On Thursday nights there is a Moonlit Parade with more floats, music and fireworks! Then there is are displays of local crafts and stalls offering every variation on citrus fruit.  This area of the French Riviera enjoys a sub-tropical climate with a steady temperature of 6-13° C ,and is  shielded from harmful winds by the nearby mountains.

See www.feteducitron.com

To celebrate the 75th birthday of Brigitte Bardot (born 28 September 1934) there is an exhibition about her years of innocence (carefreeness) “les années insouciance” at the Musée des Années 30 (Museum of the 30s) at Boulogne-Billancourt (01 Essonne, Ile de France) in northern Paris.

Running until 31 January 2010  the exhibition retraces the life of the sex icon who was photographed and immortalised by the greats of film and still photography at a time when she came across as young, fresh, innocent and natural – especially after the post-war years of austerity.

The exhibition is divided into three sections and leads you through her life, (1)from her early days at home, through (2) the fun and excesses of the  life of St Tropez (83 Var, Provence) and the film star years and (3) since  the 70s she has been a passionate advocate for animal right issues.

In many ways she was responsible for the fame of St Tropez, which was previously a pretty but unknown small port on the Mediterranean. Today it is a magnet for rich, wealthy celebrities which becomes impossibly busy in high season – but in Spring and Autumn it is worth a visit, with great views across to Ste Maxime.

For more info see www.boulognebillancourt.fr (in French)
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Musée des Années 30 (MA30)

28 avenue André Morizet

92100 Boulogne-Billancourt

Cavaillon (84 Vaucluse, Provence) is one of the major centres of Melon production in France – and on the weekend of 11-12 July 2009 the town celebrates its gastronomic delights with the Fete du Melon.

With music, dancing, processions of donkeys, ponies and horsement, and plenty of opportunities to try Melon in its many guises (jams, sauces, liqueurs etc)  and buy from the Melon market, The Cavaillon melon tends to be smaller but more flavoursome than say, a honeydew melon.

Cavaillon is also well-situated for visiting Avignon, St Remy de Provence and the Luberon area – some of the best of Provence.

More info on Cavaillon and its region.
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