Week 25 2016

Hello!

Coming up at on 21 June  is the Fete de la Music traditionally held in France on midsummer’s day.  It all began in 1982 when the then Minister of Culture Jack Lang decided to revive the pagan Festival of St Jean.  He invited musicians from all walks of life to join together and give free concerts.  Over 30 years later the event has spread throughout the world.

This year 21 falls mid-week and so there are Fete de la Music celebrations spreading through the length of the whole week, including the 2 weekends. 

There will be a concert near you to enjoy this coming weekend (and the next) – have a good time.

Whatever you do in the Gironde and Dordogne regions, have a good time.

Best wishes,

Helen

Notjustfortheholidays@orange.fr

Week 25 2016

Monday 13 June

13 – 26 June : Contemporary Art Exhibition in the Salle  Annexe du Chateau d’Eymet.

Tuesday 14 June

Wednesday 15 June

15 June 13h45, 16h10 & 19h20 : Trumbo is showing in VO at the Grandecran in Libourne.

In 1947, Dalton Trumbo (Bryan Cranston) was Hollywood's top screenwriter until he and other artists were jailed and blacklisted for their political beliefs. TRUMBO (directed by Jay Roach) recounts how Dalton used words and wit to win two Academy Awards and expose the absurdity and injustice under the blacklist, which entangled everyone from gossip columnist Hedda Hopper (Helen Mirren) to John Wayne, Kirk Douglas and Otto Preminger.

15 June 20h30 : The lady in the Van is showing in VO at the Espace culturel in Eymet.

A man forms an unexpected bond with a transient woman living in her van that's parked in his driveway. Starring Maggie Smith, Jim Broadbent and Alex Jennings

15 – 18 June : Les Britanniques en Pays d’Eymet find out more here

 

15 June – 5 July : Bibliotheque d’Eymet does all things Manga : Exhibitions, drawing workshops and films.

Thursday 16 June

16 June 13h45, 16h10 & 19h20 : Trumbo is showing in VO at the Grandecran in Libourne.

Friday 17 June

17 June 13h45, 16h10 & 19h20 : Trumbo is showing in VO at the Grandecran in Libourne.

17 June 19h15 : Fete de la Musique in Ste-Foy-la-Grande

17 June 19h30 : Le Jazz Club de l’Orient in Libourne has a concert.  Reservations recommended.

17 June 20h15 : La Favorite Opera by Donizettii is showing in VO at the Grandecran in Libourne.

A love triangle involving the King of Castile Alfonso XI, his mistress ('the favourite') Leonora, and her lover, Fernando, the story unfolds against the background of the Moorish invasions of Spain and power struggles between church and state.

17 June 21h : Wood Dog House in Concert in Branne

17 – 18 – 19 June : Salon des Metiers D’art in Rauzan

17 – 18 – 19 June : Les Zamateurs d’arts Exhibition in Vignonet

Saturday 18 June

18 June 13h45, 16h10 & 19h20 : Trumbo is showing in VO at the Grandecran in Libourne.

18 June : Vide greniers at St Christophe des Bardes

18 June : Les Mardis Soir in Concert at Bonneville

18 June : Fete de la Musique in Castillon La Bataille, live music and food all day long.

18 June : Fete de la Saint Jean in Cleyrac

18 – 19 June : Beach tennis tournament with Saturday night concert in Blaimon. See more here

 

Sunday 19 June

19 June :Marche de Potiers in Caselmoron d’Albret

19 June : Marche Medieval in La Sauve Majeure

19 June : Fete de la Palus de Condat in Libourne – visits, exhibitions, vide grenier

19 June : Vide grenier at Castillon la Bataille

19 June : Vide grenier at Coubeyrac

19 June : Book sale in Donnezac

19 June : Vide grenier and foire a tout at St Magne de Castillon

19 June : Vide grenier at Monteton

19 June 13h45, 16h10 & 19h20 : Trumbo is showing in VO at the Grandecran in Libourne.

Coming up…

20 & 21 June 15h, 17h45 & 19h20 : Trumbo is showing in VO at the Grandecran in Libourne.

And finally…

What does it mean?

A one way street... with no cars, bikes or pedestrians... so who, or what can travel at 20????And it's a very narrow street.

Week 24 2016

Hello!

St Jean be Blaignac

It’s June and the Marche Nocturne (Night Market) season is starting.  But what is a Night Market?  It’s certainly nothing like a farmer’s market.  Think of it as an open air food hall with added entertainment.  There are long communal benches in the centre and all around local food producers, restaurateurs and caterers have stands selling their produce – it’s like street food I guess, but with the added comfort of somewhere to sit.

  

How does it work?  You choose what you’d like to eat, buy it from the stand and take it back to the table to eat and share.  So, you can buy your bread from the baker, your wine from a local vineyard and choose whatever else you like the look of, perhaps a plate of charcuterie, a duck breast cooked on the wood from old vines, moules frites or an omelette with cepes.  You just never know what you might find…

Whenever we go, we like to be a little prepared, so, we have a ‘Night Market Kit’!  In my basket I have sharp knives and forks.  The cutlery provided can often be plastic, which can make a steak hard work… I also add wine glasses, a bottle of water and serviettes.  We have a tablecloth too, just for fun – and once I saw a group with a candelabra!

There’s a page on the blog,, specifically for the night markets – it’s an easily updated work in progress, so if your village or town is having a night market, or you’d like to recommend one, please let me know and I can include it.

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

Best wishes,

Helen

notjustfortheholidays@orange.fr

Week 24 2016

Monday 6 June

Tuesday 7 June

Wednesday 8 June

8 June 14h 16h10 & 19h30 : Maggie’s Plan  is showing in VO at the Grandecran in Libourne.

Maggie 's plan to have a baby on her own is derailed when she falls in love with John, a married man, destroying his volatile marriage to the brilliant and impossible Georgette. But one daughter and three years later, Maggie is out of love and in a quandary: what do you do when you suspect your man and his ex wife are actually perfect for each other? Starring Greta Gerwig, Ethan Hawke, Julianne Moore

Thursday 9 June

9 June 14h 16h10 & 19h30 : Maggie’s Plan  is showing in VO at the Grandecran in Libourne.

Friday 10 June

10 June 14h 16h10 & 19h30 : Maggie’s Plan  is showing in VO at the Grandecran in Libourne.

10 June 21h: Chateau Filhot in Sauternes hosts a Carnival concert with a Baroque Orchestra, and music from a range of performers representing the street of Venice. Find out more here

10 – 11 – 12 June : Discover the history of Gironde’s windmills at the exhibition over the weekend at the Foyer Communal in Genissac.

Saturday 11 June

11 June 14h 16h10 & 19h30 : Maggie’s Plan  is showing in VO at the Grandecran in Libourne.

11 June : Night Market in Daignac

11 June from 19h : An festival of Horse and Heritage in La Reole.  I think this must be the dancing horses from Malaga??

11 June 20h30 : The Festival du Bien Vivre in Pellegrue at the Place de la Halle.  Tickets €20 n advance, €25 on the night.  Buy tickets here

11 June : Portes Ouvertes at Chateau  St Georges.

 

11 – 12 Juin : Gensac returns to 1900.  A whole range of events including night market, music, exhibitions, tours and live entertainment in Gensac over the weekend.

11- 12 June : 31^st International ceramic festival in Sadirac. Free entry

Sunday 12 June

12 June : The Grand Gourmande Ramble.  Take part in a day of walking and dining through the vineyards of Rauzan. Taste as you go.

12 June :Vide grenier at Civrac-sur Dordogne

12 June : Vide Grenier at Cabara

12 June Vide Grenier at Cadillac

12 June : 2 vide greniers in Libourne, 1 at Lac des Dagueys (where they hold the rowing 

championships) and one at the Parc de l’epinette (hidden in-between the station and the stadium)

 

12 June : Foire a tout (should that be tut?) in Pellegrue

12 June : Vide grenier at Château Beausejour, Puisseguin

12 June : Vide Grenier des Basillics at La Sauve

12 June : Vide grenier and  flea  market at Saint Seurin sur l’Isle

12 June 9 :30 – 14h : Marche Bio in Targon, music, entertainment and dining in Targon

12 June 10h30, 14h 16h10 & 20h30 : Maggie’s Plan  is showing in VO at the Grandecran in Libourne.

12 June 17h : St Colombe Glee Club presents ‘Concert d’Ete at the St Colombe church in Lauzan

12 June 15h30 : Les Trompettes de Versailles at the Collegiale Church in St Emilion.

12 June 17h : the church St-Etienne - Branne hosts a Carnival concert with a Baroque Orchestra, and music from a range of performers representing the street of Venice. Find out more here

12 June 20h45 : Trumbo is showing in VO at La Breche in Ste Foy la Grande.

Coming up…

Monday 13^th June 17h45 & 20h15 : Trumbo is showing in VO at the Grandecran in Libourne.

In 1947, Dalton Trumbo (Bryan Cranston) was Hollywood's top screenwriter until he and other artists were jailed and blacklisted for their political beliefs. TRUMBO (directed by Jay Roach) recounts how Dalton used words and wit to win two Academy Awards and expose the absurdity and injustice under the blacklist, which entangled everyone from gossip columnist Hedda Hopper (Helen Mirren) to John Wayne, Kirk Douglas and Otto Preminger.

13 June 15h & 20h30 : Maggie’s Plan  is showing in VO at the Grandecran in Libourne.

Tuesday 14^th June 17h45 : Trumbo is showing in VO at the Grandecran in Libourne.

14 June 15h & 20h30 : Maggie’s Plan  is showing in VO at the Grandecran in Libourne.

And finally...

Plenty of places opening up for the summer season. The little terrace in St Meard is open, and in the mood for the Euros.

La Plage open air restaurant under the stone bridge in Castillon is open again and has a list of live bands booked for the Sunday afternoon dance and the Thursday evening roof-top music.

Week 23 2016

Hello!

 

Do you know that the Battle of Castillon in returning to the 7 hectare stage this summer.  After a year away, the new and improved Battle is back!  Still at the same site, on the hills of Belves, behind Castillon, the Battle has had a makeover. There are still over 400 volunteers performing, and horses, hounds, geese and goats still play their part. 

The format has changed.  There’s only one act lasting an hour and a half.  Eric le Collen is still directing and the French and English are still at war… who will win? 

If you want tickets (and you really should support this event please!), or if you’d like to volunteer and be part of the Battle which runs from July 15^th – August 20^th, visit the website http://www.batailledecastillon.com/index_en.html or drop into the office which is currently above the Tourist Office in Castillon.  (Even the Battle Office is having a makeover)

It’s an amazing show for such a small town, if you’ve never been, this is the year to go!

Whatever you do this week in the Gironde and Dordogne Regions, have a great week.

Best wishes,

Helen

notjustfortheholidays@orange.fr

Week 23 2016

Monday 30 May

Tuesday 31 May

Wednesday 1 June

1 – 22 June : Exphibition by Azama ‘effilochee’  at the Salle Gothique in St Emilion

Thursday 2 June

2 – 30 June : Art Exhibition at L’Espace Tourisme et vin at the Vitrine in Pays Foyen (by the Grande Pineuilh Leclerc)

Friday 3 June

3 June : Soiree Moules Frites at the Relais de Naujan at Naujan et Postiac.

3 June 20h30 : Les Grandes Heures de Saint-Emilion vous attendent nombreux pour le concert "Musique et Vins dans les Châteaux"  au Château Haut-Sarpe.
Au programme : Trio Fontanarosa qui interprétront du Brahms et du Schubert.

To book go here

3 June 20h30 : Sea Shanties.  Lioube perform at the church in Ste Colombe  Entrance €8

3 June 20h45 : Concert with music from the Middle Ages in the church at Grezillac.  Entrance €10

3 June 20h45 : Poly Sons in Concert in the church at St Laurent des Hommes

3 – 5 June : Porte Ste Foy et Ponchapt hosts the Journees de la Biodiversite Associative.  Find out all about everything on the subject of climate change, dine at the Marches Gourmands and visitis the stands and displays. Concert on Saturday night too.

3 – 4 – 5 June: A rare opportunity to see behind the doors of the private chateau which once belonged to St Michel de Montagne (the one I wrote about last week).  This weekend, not only can you visit his tower, you can also visit inside the restored private chateau.  Reservations recommended 05 53 58 63 93

3 -4 -5  June : France celebrated the 14^th Rendez-Vous aux jardins.  Click the link here and follow Acceder au Programme to find a garden to visit near you.

3 – 4 – 5 June : Le Bruit du Chateau in Pujols.  A weekend full of music

3 – 4 – 5 June : Festival Country at St Martin de Gurson. All things Country!  Think cowboy boots, line dancing, rock’n’roll, there’s even chilli con carne on the menu.  Free entry

Saturday 4 June

4 June : Lamothe Montravel Fete.  Games, activities, fishing, night market and fete de la Musique

4 June : Vide grenier at the Ecole de l’Epinette, Libourne

4 June : Les Mardis Soir in Concert at Lamothe

4 June : 19h : Repas Festif at Pessac.  In the Foyer Communal – don’t forget your cutlery.

 

4 June 19h : Music a l’Euille at the Espace Rene Lazare, Targon.  Concerts, night markets, artisans and fireworks.

4 June : Marche Nocturne at Saint Jean de Blaignac with entertainment from Diamond’s Girls, Cristal Diamant’s and Le Group Pee Wee

4 June 20h : Soiree Cabaret in Branne, featuring Pacific Spectacles.  Entrance €45

4 June 20h30 : Mozaic Jazz Band at the Centret Culturel in Castillon.  Entrance €15 Includes buffet and wine tasting

4 June 20h30 : Concert at Chateau de Duras Entre 2 Sons Entrance €12

4 June 21h : Theatre and Urban Dance in Espiet.

4 June 21h : Following the success of their last singing and dancing concert, the Choral des Bastides are in Levignac de Guyenne.  €12 entrance to dance.  Cake and drinks available.

4 – 5 June : Pineuilh en Fete. All the fun of the fair at the sports field in Pineuilh.  I think this is what was the Bandas.  There’s still Bandas, but now there’s so much more, and fireworks on 

Saturday night.

Sunday 5 June

5 June : Brocante at Capitourlan

5 June : Vide Grenier, Vide Jardin at the ecole de Garderose in Libourne

5 June Vide Grenier in Lugaignac

5 June : Vide grenier in Route de la Chapelle in Castillon la Bataille

5 June : Foire à tout at Montcaret

5 June 15h30 : Organ Concert at the Collgiades in St Emilion.  €Entrance €15

5 June 18h : Concert Lyrique in the church at Pujols. Entrance €12

Coming up…

And finally…

Spring fashion…

                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                              ... need I say more?