We have a Fete National this week, perhaps the biggest of the year, Le 14 Juillet, though in English it's known as Bastille Day. It's a day to celebrate the French Republic and in Paris there is a large military parade. The Bastille was a medieval fortress and prison in Paris and was stormed by troops on 14 July 1789, thus leading to the beginning of the French Revolution.
A politician named Benjamin Raspail proposed that 14 July should become a holiday in France in 1880. Bastille Day was a public holiday for the first time on 14 July 1880.
Nowadays France celebrates with the military parade in Paris and all across the country towns and villages have communal meals, dances and fireworks. Find out more about this day here.
There are plenty of options in and around us, and not just on 14th July, but the 13th and 15th too. You won't have to travel very far to find fireworks this week!
Whatever you do in the Gironde and Dordogne regions, have a great time.
Best wishes,
Helen
notjustfortheholidays@orange.fr
Week 28
See the weekly night markets here.
3 - 17 July : Art exhibition in Duras
8 - 22 July : Vibration d'ete en Pays Foyen. Festival D'Art Lyrique in Pays Foyens. 5 concerts in
Sainte Foy and 1 in Pellegrue form a short, but lively, season of professional musicians and singers. Find out more here.
Monday 9 July
Tuesday 10 July
Wednesday 11 July
11 July : Concert at the church in Castillon.
Thursday 12 July
12 July : Pub Quiz inthe Gensake in Gensac. Call ahead to reserve 05 57 47 41 04
12 July : Transat in Concert at the Belvedere.
Friday 13 July
13 July 19h : Trucs et Trucons perform in St Avit St Nazaire. The first of the Mustineraires concerts
13 July : Night market in St Meard de Gurcon
13 July : Fireworks and entertainment in Saint Seurin sur l'Isle
13 July 19h30 : Moules Frites in Moulon, fireworks at 23h.
13 July 19h30 : Moules frites in St Pey de Castets
13 July : VinZik festival in Puisseguin, music and food
13 July : Grande fete populaire in Flaujagues, a flame lit procession followed by fireworks
13 July : Fireworks in St Emilion
13 - 14 July : Velines en Fete
Saturday 14 July
14 July : Brocante vide grenier in Montpon Menesterol
14 July : Vide grenier in Le Fleix
14 July : Brocante in St Medard de Guizieres
14 July : Velines Foire a tout
14 July 15h : The fireman invite you to join them in Sauveterre. Demonstrations, games, food and fireworks.
14 July : Castillon fetes du 14 Juillet
14 July 19h : Gensac 14 juillet celebrations with fireworks
14 July 19h30 : Dancing at Le Point Bar in Libourne
14 July 19h30 : Bal des Pompiers in Pellegrue followed by fireworks
14 July : Libourne celebrates on the waterfront with night market and 3928 fireworks. See more information here.
14 July 20h : Concerts at Les Halles Foyennes in Ste Foy
14 - 21 July : A week of concerts in the Entre Deux Mers. Find out more about the concerts and the tickets here.
12 - 29 July : Watercolour exhibition by Wang Ze in the salle Marc Amanieux
Sunday 15 July
15 July : Issigeac hosts the wickerwork festival.
15 July : Brocante in Pujols
15 July : Weekly brocante in Libourne opposite Gifi, 48 Avenue de la Roudet
15 July : Organic food market in Belves.
15 July 17h : Watch the football final at the Comptoir de Genes.
Coming up...
And finally...
Have you visited Sauveterre recently? There is a lovely shop selling artisan goods - leather bags, belts and purses - glass jewellery with sparkling inclusions, pendants, earrings and rings - all natural herbal infusions and beauty products, soaps, essential oils and anti-mosquito spray - calabash art, lamps, candle holders and plant pots - hand woven fabrics, throws, cushions and clothes - and not forgetting ceramics made by me!
Find the shop, just off the main square on the corner by the Tourist Office. There's also a great antique shop on the square open in the afternoons.
I'll be there in the shop today, come by and visit if you fancy an outing. The shop is open Tuesday - Saturday 10h - 12h30 and 14h30 - 19h. It would be lovely to see you!
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