Vacations & Events | A French Collection

Fete du Citron or Lemon Festival, Menton

Fete du Citron or Lemon Festival, Menton

Fête du Citron or Lemon Festival is an annual festival held in Menton, a town in the south east of France, that celebrates the humble lemon and orange fruits and with the festival being held for more than 87 years, the Fête du Citron is a festival with a long history.

The festival began in 1933 as a fruit show and has grown into an international event drawing 160,000 visitors annually. The lemons and oranges grown in Menton are called the fruits d’or (golden fruits). These special fruits d’or are celebrated every year during the Fête du Citron, from 16 February to 3 March.

La Chandeleur or Candlemas: A French Tradition

La Chandeleur or Candlemas is celebrated in France

La Chandeleur is also known as Candlemas and the Feast of the Presentation of Our Lord Jesus and the Feast of the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary and is a French tradition. It commemorates the presentation of Jesus at the temple.

In France this commemoration is linked to eating crêpes or pancakes and is called Pancake Day. It is celebrated on the 2nd of February and there are a couple of rather strange rituals that surround the way you cook your crêpes.

Annette Charlton

Annette lives with her family between their homes in France and Australia. She’s been featured in International magazines including French Property News, on numerous blogs and travel websites and appeared on ABC National Radio. You can connect on Instagram or Facebook.

www.afrenchcollection.com

What’s On In France In February

Colorful houses of Menton old town embankment, France

Want to go to France in February?

Then you'll need to know what's on in France in February, and there's a lot happening. Everything kicks into gear in February. January is just a blur as we regather after Christmas and New Year, and February is when life comes back together and finally hits a regular rhythm.

Carnival de Nice, Chinese New Year, Fête du Citron, Valentine's Day and more

February in France is a cold month but spring is on the horizon and winter doesn’t hold people back from some serious celebrations and carnival spirit. From Mardi Gras to Chinese New Year, February offers a host of events you can’t miss if you’re in France in February. Of course we couldn’t talk about France in February without mentioning Valentine's Day! Below we’ll have a look at how you could spend Valentines in Paris, la ville l'amor.

French Walking Tours in Aix-en-Provence, France

Aix en Provence, France town square with market

Aix-en-Provence, also know as La Ville des Fontaines (The City of Fountains)

Walking tours of France are becoming an increasingly more popular way of exploring France and Aix-en-Provence is a popular inclusion in tours around the Provence region.

Aix-en-Provence is also known as the City of Fountains or, in French, la Ville des Fontaines, and Nicole Ress from Walk the French Talk Tours has recently returned from one of her tours of Aix-en-Provence and she shares with us her highlights of this town and why it's a popular town for exploring on foot.

What’s On In France In January

France In January

January in France is a busy month so here are some of what we think are the highlights of what's on in France in January. With a mixture of activities experienced by ourselves and others on our 'must do' list, there will be something for everyone. Enjoy France in January...

Last year I arrived in Paris on New Years day. It was raining as the taxi driver unloaded our suitcases onto the shimmering pavement outside our hotel. There is nothing like coming in out of the rain into a warm hotel foyer, with lamps glowing gold and glinting off of polished surfaces. We quickly made our way to the nearest bistro for a light dinner of French onion soup. Think hot buttery onion, crusty bread, and melted gruyere!

French Christmas Traditions

France is a country rich with traditions and cultural customs. Christmas in France, called Noël, is no exception, boasting many age-old traditions. Some French Christmas traditions are even on the weird, but good, side of life.

French Christmas Traditions

If you’re in France in December then understanding a few traditions will help you plan your holiday. Or, if you are living an expat life like us, then knowing the cultural customs of Christmas in France helps you fit into local life. We've compiled some Christmas Traditions for you below.

Calendar of French Public Holidays and National Celebration Days

Insert Image

French Public Holidays and National Celebration Days

There are lots of public holidays and national celebration days in France. Some dates are fixed and celebrated the same date each year and others vary depending on the celebration and what is being celebrated.

If you are travelling in France it is important to know these dates as they can affect your travel plans. Public holidays see loads of people on public transport and accommodation more heavily booked. Traffic can be busy either side of these dates with the French often adding days either side of their public holidays.

Annette Charlton

www.afrenchcollection.com

All Saints’ Day in France – La Toussaint – A French Tradition

All Saints’ Day is a traditional day in France

All Saints’ Day in France is locally known as “Toussaint” which is the contraction of “Tous les Saints”, meaning “All The Saints” in English. All Saints’ Day is a Catholic tradition of honouring the dead. This solemn event that stops the national takes place in Autumn on the 1st of November and is a national public holiday. All Saints’ Day officially starts at sundown the evening before, which is called All Hallow’s Eve.

Annette Charlton

www.afrenchcollection.com