Markets

Winter is the time for truffles in the Perigord and surrounding areas. Georges Vigouroux is one of the main Cahors wine producers in South West France (46 Lot, Midi-Pyrenees) with several major chateaux under its umbrella including Chateau de Mercuès and Chateau de Haute-Serre with some classy rich winesn made from the  Malbec grape.

So bringing these two classic regional delights together should make for a great combination:

….. our first exclusive 2010 event in Château de Haute-Serre: “Truffle & Malbec Tuesdays” from January 12th to March 2nd in the restaurant La Table de Haute-Serre, with a special menu made of truffles. A perfect pairing between food and our wines has been set up by our 1 Michelin Star chef Philippe Combet. You can extend your stay in the land of the ‘black diamond’ with a visit to Lalbenque where the traditional truffle market starts every Tuesday in winter at 2 p.m. in the main street.

For more info see www.hauteserre.fr

Cahors Tshirt from jumboTs.co.uk

The Place du Capitole is the setting for a magical Christmas Market in Toulouse from 4 – 27 December 2009. Other celebrations take place in the city throughout December with Christmas Lights and parades – real snow however may be in short supply this far south,

The Christmas Market at Harfleur (76 Seine-Maritime, Normandy) on the outskirts of Le Havre takes place between 4 and 6 December 2009 in the middle of the old town (www.lehavretourisme.com) with the usual collection of music, carols, markets and processions including a distinctive Father Christmas (pere noel)

© Guichard / Office de Tourisme de Caen

Caen (14 Calvados, Normandie) holds its Christmas Market from 28 November to 24 December 2009. This is a traditional Christmas market of wooden chalets in the centre of the town (Place du Theatre)

….over 50 stands selling with an outstanding array of Christmas goodies and artisan produce. This cosmopolitan market welcomes sellers from around the world with products such as nativity figurines, foie gras, Christmas desserts, pain d’épices (like gingerbread), hippocraswine, traditional waffles, baby clothes, plants, art, clothing, leather goods and jewellery. The charmingly festive atmosphere really makes this a Christmas event to be relished and it is not by chance that Father Christmas himself has chosen Caen as his home for the entire duration of the market!!

See www.tourisme.caen.fr
Find best hotel rates in Caen

Lille’s Christmas Market officially takes place from 18 November to 30 December 2009 (although the Big Wheel (la Grand’Roue) was still being erected over the weekend of 21/22 Novemberm but the hutted Christmas village.

In the heart of winter, Lille sparkles and glows with “joie de vivre”! With the wave of a magic wand, the city takes on a festive atmosphere and welcomes you to a winter wonderland. On Place Rihour, more than 80 chalets teem with gift ideas, nativity figurines, Christmas decorations and festive food. You can find regional specialities here, and you can also find arts and crafts from Russia, Poland, and Québec, as well as products from Native America. And that’s not to forget the gingerbread and other delicacies which you can take away or eat on the spot with a glass of mulled wine…
On the Main Square, amidst the sumptuous decorations and as Christmas carols fill the air, the Big Wheel turns majestically. Its height of 50 metres ensures guests have a stunning view of the city.

See our other articles Le weekend in…. Lille and Lille’s Christmas celebrations
For more info see www.noel-a-lille.com

If you have time and inclination then it is worth a visit to la Piscine at nearby Roubaix, which is a converted municipal art deco- swimming pool which retains part of the pool as a centre piece, whilst the old changing cubicles hold exhibits. The building houses the Museum of Science and Industry which celebrates the town’s industrial heritage when it was a centre for the textile industry – see www.roubaix-lapiscine.com/

For an early taste of France in 2010 then head to Earls Court in London between 8-10 January 2010 for the France Show 2010. And until 1 December 2009 you can pre-register for FREE TICKETS.

What better way to rediscover the magic of France than by immersing yourself in the colours, the culture and the party atmosphere that is the France Show 2010 – the UK’s largest celebration of all that makes France such a special place.

The Show includes a wide variety of French themes including cookery demonstrations; Travel, Language and French property seminars; the UK’s largest French property exhibition; Top French restaurants to eat at and a French Market selling produce and fashions,

For more info see www.thefranceshow.com/