15th August ..... L’Assomption......

 

......is a ’jour férié’ (public holiday) throughout France. Many shops will be closed, although most large supermarkets and several small shops around here remain open in the morning, and there will be festivities throughout France.

The feast of L’Assomption is celebrated by Catholics throughout France, and commemorates the departure of Mary from this life and the assumption of her body into heaven. Regardless of religious orientation, the day is observed as a national holiday during which many shops and businesses may be closed. Many people go to church on this day, have family meals, outings, and celebrations in the evening.

Here in the Pyrénées-Orientales, there are parades, fireworks, ’bals’, music and entertainment in most of the resorts. Check with your local tourist office to find what’s on in your area.

 

A selection of the many events around the region....... This is a general look at typical yearly events and times and events may well change. Do check with the local tourist office

 

COLLIOURE

ronde du clocher (swimming around the port and bay), nautical games, sardanes and aperitif concert, demonstration of catalan fishing boats, ’bodegas’ (stalls selling food and drink throughout the streets, corrida, music and ’bal’ (takes place over several days)

CERET

Fête de Fontfrède with meal and sardanes

CANET

FETE DE LA MER AU PORT
Blessing at sea and open air mass.
12h30 - SARDINADE (grilled sardines) and games
Firework display and bal on eve of 14th)

CERBERE

Free sardane course - 21h - sea front near fountain)

PORT VENDRES

’Thonade’ (similar to a sardinade but with tuna), meal and bal with Nicholas Bera - 19h - place de l’Obélisque

PORT BARCARES

Fete des Pecheurs
Firework display and bal on the port

MAUREILLAS

Festa major de Las Illas
Organised walk from Maureillas to Las Illas with quiz quesions and prizes. Giant paella on arrival in Las Illas. Music and dancing in the evening

LE BOULOU

Summer festival
Sardance, bal and various entertainment

SAINT CYPRIEN

traditional fisherman’s sardinade
various entertainment - place Maillol
EVENING - grand firework display and ’setting alight’ of the port

PRATS DE MOLLO

LA FETE DE L’ETE
Changing of the guard at Fort Lagarde, entertainment in the streets, sardanes, with cobla, bal.......

SALSES

Fete de l’étang
aperitif and llevan de taula with band

 

.... and many more events around the region

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