France Through The Year...

THE FRENCH, with their farming roots, are deeply aware of the changing seasons, and the mild climate means they can celebrate outdoors of the year. History and traditional are honoured with fetes, such as Bastille Day (14 July). For culture lovers, thousands of arts festivals are held in venues ranging from the huge Avignon Theatre Festival down to small village events. Large national sports events, such as the Tour de France cycle race, are a key feature in the calender. Throughout the year, festivals take place celebrating every kind of food and wine. In high summer, the cities empty and French and foreign visitors flock to the beaches and countryside.

SPRING ~ FRANCE'S OUTDOOR life resumes in spring, terrace-cafes filling up in the sunshines. Easter is a time of Catholic processions, and concerts of sacred music. The Cannes Film Festival in May is the best known of the season's many conventions and trade fairs.

SUMMER ~ THE FRENCH holiday season behins in mid-july, with the return to work and school (la rentree) in early September. Beaches, marinas and camp sites are all full to bursting. Every village has its fete and there are countless festivals and sporting events.

AUTUMN ~ IN WINE REGIONS, the grape harvest is the occasion for much gregarious jollity, and every wine village has its wine festival. When the new wine is ready in November there are more festivities. The hunting season begins - everywhere there is game shooting. In the southwest, small migrating birds are trapped in nets, often to the fury of ecologist.

WINTER ~ AT CHRISTMAS, traditional nativity plays are held in churches and there are fairs and markets throughout France. In the Alps and the Pyrenees, and even the Vosages and Massif Central, the ski-slopes are crowded. In Flanders and Nice, carnivals take place before Lent.

PUBLIC HOLIDAYS ~~

New Year's Day (1 Jan)
Ester Sunday and Monday Ascension Day (6th Thursday after Easter)
Whit Monday (2nd Monday after Ascension)
Labour Day (1 May)
VE Day (8 May)
Bastille Day/National Day (14 July)
Assumption Day (15 Aug)
All Saint's Day (1 Nov)
Remembrances Day (11 Nov)
Christmas Day (25 Dec)