Week 2 2026

Hello!

In case you missed it, Tuesday 6 January was the last day of the Christmas season and traditionally the day Christmas decorations get taken down and packed away for next year in my house.  The 12^th night is the day that the 3 wise men arrived in Bethlehem, taking gifts to the baby Jesus.

The French celebrate this day with a special cake called the ‘Galette des Rois’ (the King’s cake).   

Note the plate with numbers to ensure it's divided equally!

This frangipane filled cake is served up according to tradition on 6^th January.  A lucky charm – known as a fève (originally a bean, but now more often a little porcelain figure) is baked into the cake.  As story goes, the cake is divided into enough slices as people present, and one extra, for the first poor person that passes by.  The youngest person in the group decides who has which slice, and the person who finds the fève is crowned king or queen for the day.  When you buy a Galette des Rois it usually comes complete with a paper crown.

 

You can still find them in the shops and the bakeries, and each year more exotic flavours are added to the recipe, a hit this year was the chocolate chip brioche style galette!

 

Whatever you do this week in the Gironde and Dordogne regions, have a lovely time.

Best wishes,

Helen

notjustfotheholidays@orange.fr

 

Week 2

 

https://www.cinema-eden.com/

https://www.cinema-pays-foyen.com/

 If you don't know what to do with your Christmas trees...

 

 10 January

 

Coming up...

 

 And finally...

 

My new Saturday pottery programme is out for the upcoming months.  Starting with a windmill. to go along with the castle and the house candle-lights.

 

 

Feel free to contact me if you'd like to take part, or if you're interested in trying your hand at pottery - it's a wonderfully therapeutic process. 
 

 

Week 2 2023

 Hello!

In case you missed it, Friday 6 January was the last day of the Christmas season and traditionally the day Christmas decorations get taken down and packed away for next year.  The 12^th night is the day that the 3 wise men arrived in Bethlehem, taking gifts to the baby Jesus.

The French celebrate this day with a special cake called the ‘Galette des Rois’ (the King’s cake).   

Note the plate with numbers to ensure it's divided equally!

This frangipane filled cake is served up according to tradition on 6^th January.  A lucky charm – known as a fève (originally a bean, but now more often a little porcelain figure) is baked into the cake.  As story goes, the cake is divided into enough slices as people present, and one extra, for the first poor person that passes by.  The youngest person in the group decides who has which slice, and the person who finds the fève is crowned king or queen for the day.  When you buy a Galette des Rois it usually comes complete with a paper crown.

 

You can still find them in the shops and the bakeries, and each year more exotic flavours are added to the recipe, a hit this year was the chocolate chip brioche style galette!

 

Whatever you do this week in the Gironde and Dordogne regions, have a lovely time.

Best wishes,

Helen

notjustfotheholidays@orange.fr

 

Week 2 

 

Coming up...

And finally...

 

 

The Winter sales 2023 have been set by the préfecture for a period of 4 weeks starting on Wednesday 11th January at 8h00 until Tuesday 7th February.
During the sale period, shops are usually allowed to open on a couple of Sundays. 

So, now's the time to bag a bargain... 

Week 1 2022

 Hello!

Thursday 6 January is the last day of the Christmas season and traditionally the day Christmas decorations get taken down and packed away for next year.  The 12^th night is the day that the 3 wise men arrived in Bethlehem, taking gifts to the baby Jesus.

The French celebrate this day with a special cake called the ‘Galette des Rois’ (the King’s cake).   

This frangipane filled cake is served up according to tradition on 6^th January.  A lucky charm – known as a fève (originally a bean, but now more often a little porcelain figure) is baked into the cake.  As story goes, the cake is divided into enough slices as people present, and one extra, for the first poor person that passes by.  The youngest person in the group decides who has which slice, and the person who finds the fève is crowned king or queen for the day.  When you buy a Galette des Rois it usually comes complete with a paper crown.  Want to make one yourself, here's a recipe, but it doesn't include the fève, so don't forget to add that in!

So if you were wondering what to eat with your afternoon cup of tea, on 6^th January, it has to be a Galette des Rois!  Bon appétit!

 

Whatever you do this week, keep warm and well.  There's really not much going on, apart from eating cake... however, if you know of anthing, please do get in touch.

Best wishes,

Helen

notjustfortheholidays@orange.fr

 

Week 1

 

Really not much going on...

 

La Breche cinema in Ste Foy

 

 Coming up...

And finally...

If you are ready to get your hands into clay, a great activity for all ages, I have a pottery workshop on Saturday in Sauveterre.  This week we're making lighthouse candle-lights.  They sound so much more poetic in French - phare photophore

 

A 1 hour session costs €10/person, all materials and firing included. Only 4 people per session, so call ahead to book a place please - 06 30 89 85 36

 

 

Week 1 2021

Hello!

Wednesday 6 January is the last day of the Christmas season and traditionally the day Christmas decorations get taken down and packed away for next year.  The 12^th night is the day that the 3 wise men arrived in Bethlehem, taking gifts to the baby Jesus.

The French celebrate this day with a special cake called the ‘Galette des Rois’ (the King’s cake).   

From the bakeries in Castillon and Sauveterre

This frangipane filled cake is served up according to tradition on 6^th January.  A lucky charm – known as a fève (originally a bean, but now more often a little porcelain figure) is baked into the cake.  As story goes, the cake is divided into enough slices as people present, and one extra, for the first poor person that passes by.  The youngest person in the group decides who has which slice, and the person who finds the fève is crowned king or queen for the day.  When you buy a Galette des Rois it usually comes complete with a paper crown.

 

Find a recipe here - but it doesn't mention adding the fève, so just push it into the frangipane before you cover with the pastry top.

Sending you all very best wishes and hope that 2021 will bring a year of health and happiness.

Helen

notjustfortheholidays@orange.fr

Week 1

it's calm out there...

Our local Repair Cafe

And finally...

Do you want to learn to make a pottery snowman (you can also put a candle in him!)? We're making them on Saturday in Sauveterre.

January and February workshops dates are available. Groups are small, generally groups of family or friends and classmates.  Sanitary protocols are in place.

Family and group workshops are also going ahead, contact me for further information.

Week 1 2020

Hello!


I hope that you all had a lovely Christmas time and and are heading into 2020 rested and refreshed!

Many thanks to all the people who have contributed to Notjustfortheholidays and for the kind messages that you send.  I can't do this without you, so please continue to send your contributions, in the shape of photos, flyers, emails, and messages. If you can get the events to me, I'll include them in the newsletter.

Don't forget to share the newsletter with your friends, family and the visitors to our beautiful part of the world. 

Wherever you are in the Gironde and Dordogne regions, wishing you health and happiness for 2020.

Best wishes,
Helen
notjustfortheholidays@orange.fr

Week 1 

La Breche Cinema, Ste Foy

 Saturday 4 January

This is me in Sauveterre - come and make a monster!

Sunday 5 January

Coming up...

And finally…

Monday 6 January is the last day of the Christmas season and traditionally the day Christmas decorations get taken down and packed away for next year.  The 12^th night is the day that the 3 wise men arrived in Bethlehem, taking gifts to the baby Jesus.

The French celebrate this day with a special cake called the ‘Galette des Rois’ (the King’s cake).   

This frangipane filled cake is served up according to tradition on 6^th January.  A lucky charm – known as a fève (originally a bean, but now more often a little porcelain figure) is baked into the cake.  As story goes, the cake is divided into enough slices as people present, and one extra, for the first poor person that passes by.  The youngest person in the group decides who has which slice, and the person who finds the fève is crowned king or queen for the day.  When you buy a Galette des Rois it usually comes complete with a paper crown.

So if you were wondering what to eat with your afternoon cup of tea, on 6^th January, it has to be a Galette des Rois!  Bon appétit!

 

Find a recipe here - but it doesn't mention adding the fève, so just push it into the frangipane before you cover with the pastry top.

Week 1 2018

Hello!

Wishing everyone a healthy and happy 2018!

Many thanks to everyone who follows the newsletter and for all the contributions that you send.  It's a great way to share information.

Best wishes and keep dry and warm,
Helen
Notjustfortheholidays@orange.fr

Week 1 2018

Monday 1 January

Tuesday 2 January

Wednesday 3 January

Thursday 4 January

4 January 20h30 : God's Own Country (Seule la Terre) is showing in VO at the Eden cinema in Monsegur.
Spring. Yorkshire. Young farmer Johnny Saxby numbs his daily frustrations with binge drinking and casual sex, until the arrival of a Romanian migrant worker for lambing season ignites an intense relationship that sets Johnny on a new path.Starring Josh O'Connor, Gemma Jones and Harry Lister Smith

Friday 5 January

Saturday 6 January

6 January: Monthly Broc'a Puces at La Charette Bleue in Velines.

 6 January : Weekly Truffle Market in St Emilion


6 January : Concert by Julien Bischerour at Le Point Bar 31 Avenue du General de Gaulle in Libourne

6 - 30 January: Exhibition by Les Eleves Troubadours at 31 Avenue du General de Gaulle in Libourne


Sunday 7 January

7 January 14h30 : Afternoon Cabaret at the Salles des Fetes in Izon.

Coming up...

8 January 20h30 : God's Own Country (Seule la Terre) is showing in VO at the Eden cinema in Monsegur.

18h 14 January

And finally...

Saturday 6 January is the last day of the Christmas season and traditionally the day Christmas decorations get taken down and packed away for next year.  The 12^th night is the day that the 3 wise men arrived in Bethlehem, taking gifts to the baby Jesus.

The French celebrate this day with a special cake called the ‘Galette des Rois’ (the King’s cake).   

Note the plate with numbers to ensure it's divided equally!

This frangipane filled cake is served up according to tradition on 6^th January.  A lucky charm – known as a fève (originally a bean, but now more often a little porcelain figure) is baked into the cake.  As story goes, the cake is divided into enough slices as people present, and one extra, for the first poor person that passes by.  The youngest person in the group decides who has which slice, and the person who finds the fève is crowned king or queen for the day.  When you buy a Galette des Rois it usually comes complete with a paper crown.

So if you were wondering what to eat with your afternoon cup of tea, on 6^th January, it has to be a Galette des Rois!  Bon appétit!