Here are the most read articles in this section:-

• Lundi de Pentecôte (Whit Monday) in France
  Lundi de Pentecôte (Whit Monday) in France Whit Monday (Pentecost Monday) in English, le Lundi de Pentecôte in French, this day is the last of four public holidays in May. It is a ’movable feast’ in the Christian calendar, a religious tradition which takes place 50 (...) read more...



• La Chandeleur - February
  Pancake Day in France 2nd February ‘Fête de la Chandeleur’ The nearest French equivalent to Pancake Day is the ‘Fête de la Chandeleur’, (Candlemas) known also as Fête de la Lumière, when it is traditional to eat ’ceêpes’ . Originally a religious (...) read more...



• La Toussaint (All Saints Day)
  La Toussaint (All Saints Day) - Festival of the dead. November 1st La Toussaint in France (All Saint’s Day) was originally created by the Catholic Church to honour the poor old saints and martyrs who didn’t have their own holy day. Rather sneakily, it was also believed (...) read more...



• Carnaval time in France (February/March)
  Carnival Time in France Youpi, it’s carnival time! February and March see carnival processions all over the P-O – fancy dress, street parades, fireworks, singing, dancing.....along with the symbolic burning of evil spirits - but the origins of these celebrations, ending (...) read more...



• Fête de la Belle Epoque - May
  Fete de la Belle Epoque The "Belle Epoque" festival - Vernet-les-Bains - May In 1845, the Pacha Mehemet Ali was king of Egypt. He was surrounded by advisers from France, notably one Doctor Clot. The doctor was treating the king’s son, Ibrahim Pacha, who suffered seriously from (...) read more...



• Midsummer Madness - Els Focs de la Sant Jean
  Midsummer Madness - Els Focs de la Sant Jean Basil Howitt discovers to his surprise that the revival of Catalonia’s summer solstice festival on Mount Canigou was inspired by a rugby victory. He also throws in a few Catalan recipes enjoyed during the festival preparations at the (...) read more...



• Pessebres vivants
  Pessebres vivants .... real people acting out Living Nativity Scenes. El Pessebre is a representation of the Nativity Story. As in several countries, the Catalans have a Christmas tradition of creating a Crib Scene with the Shepherds, Wise Men, Mary, Joseph and the infant Jesus, a (...) read more...



• La galette des rois - December
  La Fête des Rois (Three Kings Day) The French tradition of serving a frangipane filled tart known as the ’galette des rois’ (or the gateau des rois in the South of France) on, or around the 6th January, (the first Sunday of each New Year) actually dates back to the 14th century. (...) read more...



• La Trobada du Canigou and Les feux de la Saint Jean - June
  La Trobada La Trobada du Canigou A lovely tradition to celebrate the Summer Solstice of St Jean around the 22nd June is the meeting of Catalans from both sides of the Pyrénées on the summit of the Canigou. Troops of walkers and representatives of villages and towns throughout Catalonia, (...) read more...



• Fête de l’Ours - Prats de Mollo - February
  Fete de l’Ours et carnaval de Prats de Mollo A not to be missed yearly event click to enlarge The location Built on the banks of the river Tech, surrounded by mountains, Prats de Mollo was one of the most importan read more...

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