Coming up this week (or super soon), we've got grape stomps, gladiator games, gourmet golfing, a Basquiat
show, Michelin-starred meals, a pottery market, the last of the lavender
festivals, a precious pig needing a perfect home and more. Read on! Gourmet Golf Tournament at Manville
On Sunday Aug 25, enter the Bistrot du Paradou Cup at the Domaine
de Manville and enjoy a gourmet buffet at hole #10. The event is organized by Bistrot
du Paradou owner Vincent Quenin and held on the 18-hole course at a five-star resort between Les Baux and Maussane. If you know Manville, you know the setting is gorgeous. And if you know the Bistrot (or Paradou, as everyone calls it), you know the food is going to be great. For info and to
register, click here or
call: +33 (0)4 90 54 40 20. Last Call for Lavender!
The village of
Dignes-les-Bains has not one but two major lavender events each year. The
first, the Corso de Lavande,
has come and gone but the second happens this week. The 98th annual Lavender Fair (Foire de la
Lavande) is Aug 21 to 25, with 200 stands from 150+ exhibitors offering
every possible lavender product plus food, decor, gifts and more. This year
there are two free horse shows every day, featuring the famous white
Camargue horses we all love. The fair runs from 10 am to 8 pm daily and
all the info is here.
Good Vibrations in Avignon
The 30-minute, 360-degree sound-and-light show called Vibrations, held
every evening in the courtyard of the Palais des Papes in Avignon, opened for
the season on Aug 11 and runs through Oct 12. In August, there are two shows each evening at 9.30 pm and 10.30 pm,
while September and October feature one performance at 9.30 pm nightly (plus a
second show at 10.30 pm on Friday and Saturday nights only in September). The
schedule and all details are here.
MusicUnder the Stars in Avignon
The program Sous Les Etoiles at the Musee Louis Vouland presents two classical
concerts and a lecture this week, in the garden of the museum, starting at 8:30
pm. The concerts are tonight and Friday. For all the info, click here.
For one week in late August, every year since 2007, Arles is
transformed into the ancient city of Arelate to celebrate its Gallo Roman past
with circus games, gladiator classes, Arena tours, Roman camps, street
performances, Roman taverns, film screenings and much more. This year's Arelate
Festival runs until Sunday Aug 26 and includes plenty of activities for
families. On Saturday Aug 24 for example, there are kids workshops in the
square between the Amphitheatre and the Antique Theater. These include: dressing
up Roman style at 11 am (5€), mosaic class at 10:30 am or 3:30 pm (5€), weaving
(5€), Roman hair-styling (5€), amulet making and more. See the full schedule,
in French, here. For
info in English, try the Arles Tourist Office. Epic Films in an Epic Setting
If you want to see the summer evening Courses Camarguaises in the
Roman arena in Arles, you've got two more chances: Wednesday Aug 21 and
Friday Aug 23. (They're every Monday, Wednesday and Friday throughout July and
August at 5:30 pm). Courses Camarguaises are also held at village fêtes
throughout Provence but there's definitely something about seeing one in this
monumental Roman site. Think of this as a kinder, gentler bullfight: people are
rarely injured and the bulls are not killed. Known as razeteurs,
the young men(I've
never seen a woman do it but there must be some?) aim to pluck ribbons and
rosettes tied to the bulls’ horns, cutting them free with special barbed
gloves. The competitors are on foot and rely solely on speed and agility. And
you can rest assured the bull will live to see another day. Tickets (11€
adults, 7€ kids), can be bought at
the arena or at the Arles Tourist Office.
Looking for Love?
On Sunday Sept 1, it's "journee portes ouvertes" (open
doors day) at the S.P.A
des Baux-de-Provence. Also called the Refuge Saint Roch, it's like what we
Americans call the Humane Society. From 2 to 5:30 pm, come visit and find the
perfect companion; all dogs and cats ready for adoption have been vaccinated,
sterilized and given a tatoo ID. Last time I checked, they were also looking
for the right home for a five-year-old pig named León le Cochon, who was "raised like a little dog and
comes when called." Tempting!
Foodies on the Loose!
St. Remy is filled with artisinal food producers, working in
traditional ways, keeping local food traditions alive. And luckily, many have
shops and workshops right in the heart of the village. On this half-day walking
tour for food lovers of all ages (Thursday Sept 5 from 3 to 6 pm or Saturday
Sept 21 from 9:30 to 12:30) you'll be paired with other travelers (ten people max) for a very
filling and fun adventure. Rendezvous with your guide at the Tourist Office and
then hit the rue running! Staying in the heart of the village (with
minimal walking), you'll roam from shop to shop tasting chocolates, cookies,
nougat, honey, olive oils, tapenades, confitures and more. You might take a
break for coffee with a few macarons on the side--gotta keep energy up!--then
most likely move on to a cheese tasting, enjoyed with a glass of
a favorite local wine. Along the way you'll get a taste of the rich
history of this cobblestone village and a glimpse into local life from your
charming guide. 75€ pp for adults, 50€ ages 12 to 18, 30€ ages 6 to 12. Kids
under 6 are welcome at no charge as long as they're fearless and willing to
taste! The tour is also available other dates...just ask. For info or to
book: whattodoinprovence@gmail.com. Potters and the People Who Love Them
Thirty or so ceramic artists will be selling their work at
the Crillon-le-Brave
Potters Market, from 9 am to 7 pm on the Place de la Mairie on Sunday Aug
25. There will be pottery demos, a workshop for kids and adults, a free raffle
and food available. For more info about the event sponsor Terres de Provence,
the regional association of ceramicists and potters, click here. Playing Catch-up at the Carrieres
There's still plenty of time to enjoy this splendid classical
and jazz festival held at the Châteaude Lourmarin. This week on Thursday Aug 22, hear four-handed piano
with Irina Chkourindina and Magali Lauron, playing Schubert, Brahms, Ravel and
Piazzola. Next up, on Monday Aug 26, hear Andrei Korobeinikov on piano, playing
Schumann and Rachmaninov. The festival continues through October 12 and all the
info is here. Special Evenings at the Caumont in Aix
At the fantastic Hotel
de Caumont (aka the Caumont Art Center) in Aix, the summer show, "Masterpieces from the
Guggenheim Foundation" runs until Sept 29. A special way to see it is
on a Friday night, when the museum stays open late and offers a more exclusive experience with Champagne, live music, an optional dinner on the terrace and more. Tickets must
be booked in advance, at the museum or here. Or,
see the Guggenheim show on a Wednesday or Saturday and stay on to hear
live jazz in the garden. The concerts start at 7:30 pm and your 20€ entry
includes a glass of Champagne. Info on the jazz concerts is here. Grape Stomps at Les Pastras
Wow! Lots of great info here!
ReplyDeleteThanks Keith!
DeleteAs ever Julie, so much information, there's absolutely no excuse to stay indoors!
ReplyDeleteThanks Ange!
DeleteFiling this away for a possible Provence trip next year! :-) Can't wait to go back ... again and again!
ReplyDeleteWhat an amazing selection of events. I want to see and do them all! Thanks, Julie!
ReplyDelete