MORNING

Make an early start, as it's gong to be a long and lovely day! Our top tip is to stop at your local boulangerie on the way and collect some ready-made baguette sandwiches that you can throw in a cool box or cool bag, together with some water bottles. You will be taking the A8 Autoroute to the Le Muy / Saint-Tropez exit, then the D25 directly into Sainte-Maxime. Note you are not driving on (round the bay) to Saint-Tropez itself - and joining the long traffic jam of people who also made that mistake - but rather parking in the Port Car Park and strolling the two minutes walk to the Bateaux Verts foot ferry:

Taking the boat across the bay is not just about escaping traffic. It's part of the whole day-trip experience; feeling the wind and the spray on your face, whilst you check out the amazing yachts and boats in the bay. A little pair of pocket binoculars would be great right now, so what a good job that you bought some with you! Well done you.

It also has the effect of making Saint-Tropez feel even more magical. You can trick your mind into feeling like you are visiting an island paradise, rather than just another part of the Riviera coastline. And, in a strange sort of way, you are.

LUNCH

By the time you land at Saint-Tropez, you will already be hungry no doubt. So why fight it? One of Saint-Tropez's loveliest restaurants is almost right in front of you (on the Quai Jean-Jaurès): The Petit Plage. If you called to reserve whilst queuing for the boat, they will probably have your table ready for you when you arrive.

There are lots of nice things about this restaurant. It serves delicious seafood (from the basic fish-n-chips (that Saint-Tropez is famous for) through to really elegant dishes that are perfectly cooked and beautifully presented. You will have a lovely view of the port and the big boats moored just metres away, plus you can kick off your shoes and sink your toes into the lovely sand that covers the floors beneath the tables.

AFTERNOON

Right! Off to explore the old town. I am not gonna lie. The shopping is amazeballs here. Expensive sometimes. But Saint Tropez has become the No1 shopping destination in the Cote d'Azur for good reason. The streets in the town are laden with designer boutiques and dazzling jewellery shops; including Hermès, Dior, Giorgio Armani, CELINE, Louis Vuitton & Faconnable. There is also Manoush, Caroline Dechamby, and Francesca Donà.

If you are looking for the perfect time to visit, check out our post on the Grande Braderie market, held at the end of October; which is a great time to pick some some end-of-season bargains on clothing in particular (with discounts of 50% or more).

Beyond the shops, there's lots to see or just stumble across, and even just walking down the Provencal streets fills your heart with joy. Our favourite little stops include:

• The Tour Portalet and La Glaye - for some rock-pooling

• The Citadelle de Saint-Tropez - a nautical museum housed in a 17c fortress

• Place des Lices - to watch some boules or browse the (Tue & Sat) flea market

• The Brigitte Bardot Statue - in homage to Saint-Tropez's most famous resident

EARLY EVENING

So time to get back on that boat, as we are spending what's left of the day in Sainte-Maxime. It's easy to underestimate this little village, or view it as some sort of poor relation to its cousin across the bay. But trust me, give it some love and it will love you right back. I don't know about you, but my favourite time to be on the beach is definitely late afternoon and early evening, as the heat of the day begins to subside. And our go-to venue in that regard is the Plage de la Nartelle in Sainte-Maxime:

There is a small (and very satisfying) public beach in the centre of the Nartelle strip, but for a really special beach experience, we always head to one of the fabulous beach bar/restaurants that line the seafront. A nice coffee, glass of wine, or beer and a comfy chair or beach bedis the perfect accompaniment to the sound of the waves or the setting of the sun.

DINNER

Which brings us onto dinner. You can probably tell my thoughts rarely stray far from food. We recommend the Mahi Plage as the venue for beach, drinks, and meal afterwards:

Sure, there are better restaurants in the centre of the village (for dining really well) and it's also nice to walk around there at night. Maybe a third of the time, we would indeed do that (particularly if we were entertaining foodies). But Mahi Plage is relatively inexpensive and it is just so convenient to kick the sand off your feet and tuck right in.

NIGHTLIFE

Afterwards, yes a brief drive into the village proper (if you still have the energy) and a mooch around the shops. Le bar à thym might be a good place to knock back some cocktails before you finally head home:

But I am guessing you may be tired by this point and thinking about that relatively long drive home (perhaps in the dark). I hope you had a lovely day.

HELP US OUT

Do you have a great tip you'd like to share - that we could add to this day-trip entry? If so, please add a comment (below) or use our suggestion form on the ★ Little Pieces of Light ★ homepage. And if you are looking for somewhere to stay in the area, please do check out Haute Vue; our large holiday home with private pool in Montauroux. It has panoramic views, private pool, super-fast WiFi and modern air-conditioning, and is the perfect central base for a holiday in the South of France.

Over the years, established performers have included Herbie Hancock, Gregory Porter, Chick Corea, Diana Krall, Sonny Rollins, and Mélody Gardot. Conversely, lesser-known artists have used the event as a springboard to success; including Avishai Cohen, Raoul Midon, Roy Hargrove, and Esperanza Spalding. Perhaps best known is Ibrahim Maalouf, who made his breakthrough at the Monte-Carlo Jazz Festival in 2012; going on to perform to huge crowds at the Bercy concert arena in Paris in 2016.

The 18th Edition of the Monte-Carlo Jazz Festival - 2024

When the detailed programme for the 2024 event is available, we will add it to this page. Be patient. Sometimes it can be September before all the names are pencilled in!

As a little footnote "word to the wise", a fabulous (and relatively recent) addition to the format has been the "Before & After" (Brunch) fringe programme - performances at the Crystal Bar of the Hôtel Hermitage Monte-Carlo, the American Bar of the Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo, and the Café de la Rotonde of the Casino Monte-Carlo. Here you can enjoy a much more intimate and up-close appreciation of 'in-residence' performers.

The 2023 Monte-Carlo Jazz Festival - Review

Under the Artistic Direction of Monte-Carlo SBM in harmonious partnership with Reno Di Matteo, the festival ran from 17 Nov - 2 Dec in 2023. The roster was a jazz connoisseur’s dream; boasting luminaries such as Ron Carter, Billy Cobham, Steve Gadd, Jan Garbarek, Macy Gray, Jeanne Added, and the return of the triumphant Alex Jaffray, following his acclaimed Master Class at the Hôtel Hermitage Monte-Carlo, the previous year.

Further down the bill, were Pianoforte (Baptiste Trotignon, Bojan Z, Eric Legnini and Pierre de Bethmann), Kareen Giock Thuram, Thomas de Pourquery, Keziah Jones, Incognito, Léon Phal, and Dominique Fils-Aimé! There was also a special jazz cinema screening of Clint Eastwood’s “Bird”, in partnership with the Audiovisual Institute of Monaco. Sit back and enjoy a sample of Steve Gadd's performance:

How to Get there

• By train: Monaco Monte-Carlo station is located underground in the Condamine district, and passengers can reach all four corners of the Principality from one of its six access points. It is served by local trains (on the Marseille–Ventimiglia railway) and (in summer months) by fast TGV trains. Timetables here.

• By car: Leave the A8 Autoroute at Exit 56 (direction: Monaco) if travelling towards Italy, or Exit 58 (for Roquebrune Cap Martin) if travelling away from Italy. From these exits, you can reach the centre in less than 20 minutes. Many locals instead prefer to use one of the three famous 'Corniche' roads which hug the coastline, have stunning views, and lots of hairpin bends and little tunnels.

• Parking (important): Access to Monaco-Ville is restricted to vehicles that are registered in Monaco or to residents of the Alpes Maritimes region. So, as a tourist, you should instead park in the Parking des Pêcheurs car park, from which the centre of Monaco-Ville is just a few minutes’ walk.

• By bus: Monaco is served, seven days a week between 7am and 9.15pm, by the seven bus routes of the Monaco Bus Company (C.A.M). The network covers all of the main tourist attractions, museums, the exotic garden, business centres, Casino, Stade Louis-II, and more. See here for timetables.

Resources

• The official website for the Monte Carlo Jazz Festival (Société des Bains de Mer)

• The Visit Monaco website; best for general tourist information

Accommodation

With stunning views, private pool, super-fast Broadband and modern air-conditioning, the villa Haute Vue is a large Holiday Rent in Montauroux; conveniently positioned for exploring both the interior of Provence and the highlights of the French Riviera. Sleeping 10/12 in 5/6 bedrooms, it is close to the beautiful perched villages of the Var and in easy reach of the beaches and sights of the sparkling Côte d'Azur.

The organisers - the Société Nautique de Saint-Tropez - are also one of the oldest sailing clubs (founded in 1862). They bring together over 250 boats for the regatta, with everything from classic boats (some of which are over a hundred years old), to ultra-modern boats which are among the most beautiful in the world. All of this in keeping with their original mission; to create one of “the best regattas on the water and the best atmosphere on land". Most importantly, the parties go on all day and night at St. Tropez during the week of the Regatta!

The Voiles de Saint-Tropez Sailing Regatta - 2024

The event this year is scheduled to run from 28 September to 6 October. The classes of races are separated into the Traditional class (classic yachts), the Modern class, the Esprit de Tradition class (modern traditional), the Wally class, and the 12 Meter America’s Cup Yachts class. The yachts that participate in the Voiles St. Tropez Regatta are some of the most famous sailing yachts in the world - piloted by world class captains - and include J-Class, Swans, Maxiyachts, and more. Yachting fans from across the globe consider the Voiles St. Tropez Regatta a “can’t miss” race.

The blue riband event in the Voiles de St Tropez is "La Grande Classe Trophy". Held for the first time in 2004, it is a race for invitees only; comprising classic yachts that have previously enjoyed success in similar events around the racing world. Held on the first Thursday in October, it takes an "English Regatta" format and is quite the spectacle.

Within reason, spectators are free to take their own boats / ribs out into the water, to get a closer view of the race. There are charters available too, if you don't have a boat of your own. But most stay on dry land, where there are lots of great viewing areas. As you can see (above) the village is lit up for the event.

Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez 2023 - Review

A nice little video from the event organisers gives you some of the best moments of the 2023 event (and also a good idea of what to expect from a visit in 2024):

How to Get there

• By boat: The absolute best way to get to St. Tropez is by water. Special return trips are put on for the even from destinations as far-flung as Nice (2h30). However, the simplest and best value route in is "Les Bateaux Verts" ferry service from Sainte-Maxime. You can easily park in the huge quayside car park (get there early to secure your space!) then take a short and scenic trip straight into Saint Tropez harbour. Visit their website for timetables and pricing.

• By bus: The bus services in the Gulf of Saint Tropez are run by Varlib (timetables here). The routes are extensive and it is possible to travel by bus to most of the towns, villages and resorts around Saint Tropez:

  • Bus 7601 - Saint Tropez - Saint-Raphaël

  • Bus 7701 - Saint Tropez - Gassin - Cogolin - Grimaud - La Garde Freinet

  • Bus 7703 - Saint Tropez - Pampelonne beaches - Ramatuelle

  • Bus 7705 - Saint Tropez - Pampelonne beaches - Ramatuelle

  • Bus 7801 - Saint Tropez - La Croix Valmer - Le Lavandou - Bormes - Toulon

• By car: This is really not the best idea, trust me! The road around the bay to St. Tropez is always busy at any time of year and will be especially congested around the time of the regatta. We definitely recommend parking in St. Max and taking the boat (see above). If you insist, then take the D559 / D98A and follow signs for parking when you (eventually) get there. Try to travel off-peak/early.

Resources

• The See Saint Tropez website

• The official website for the Regatta itself

Accommodation

With panoramic views, private pool, super-fast WiFi and modern air-conditioning, Haute Vue is a large Vacation Rental Villa with private pool in Montauroux; just an hour's drive from the ferry. Sleeping 10/12 in 5/6 bedrooms, it is the perfect central base for a holiday in the South of France; close to the beautiful perched villages of Provence and in easy reach of the beaches and sights of the sparkling Côte d'Azur.

The venue is open land at the Terrain Laroche, alongside the Collège De Léonard de Vinci (a large moddle school serving 700 students from across the valley). In addition to the main stage, there is an eco-citizen village, creative workshops, a wellness area, and the all-important food tucks and portaloos. There is free parking on-site, as well as camping and caravan provision.

The 6th Edition of Les Foulees du Lac - 2024

The dates for this year are Friday June 14 & Saturday June 15, 2024. As usual, the Friday night (18:00-24:00) is all about the Sound Systems, with the live acts on the Saturday afternoon and evening (14:00-01:00).

For tickets, visit: https://www.billetweb.fr/festival-raots-du-lac.6 - €10 for the Friday, €15 on Saturday, or €20 (in advance) for a 2-day pass. Kids under 14 go free. So, yes this is excellent value, when compared to larger festivals (and just as much fun). The line-up looks excellent for this year, with something for everyone:

To watch the teaser video for the 2024 event click here or view it in context on the official site for the Roots du Lac Festival.

Take in the Vibe

Here is a little video of one of the 2023 Highlights; Jah Legacy performing on what I am sure you will agree is a very high quality sound stage:

How to Get there

• By car/bus: Park your car in the free car park. To find out about camping, caravans, or car parking (and to reserve your space), go here.

Resources

• The official website of the Roots du Lac Festival.

• Maps and more on the Pays de Fayence Tourism site

Accommodation

With stunning panoramic views, private pool, super-fast broadband and modern air-conditioning, Haute Vue is a large Vacation Villa Rental with private pool in Montauroux; just a short taxi ride from the venue. Sleeping 10/12 in 5/6 bedrooms, it is the perfect central base for a holiday in the South of France; close to the beautiful perched villages of Provence and in easy reach of the beaches and sights of the sparkling Côte d'Azur.

The Cheval Passion (and associaed Crinières d’Or gala event) are one of the highlights of the Provencal Winter Calendar. Even if you have never seen a horse (and perhaps especially if you haven't) you are going to fins this quite the spectacle, if you wisely decide to check it out!

Cheval Passion and the Crinières d'Or (Mane of Gold) gala are organized by Avignon Tourisme with the support of the City of Avignon, Grand Avignon, the Vaucluse Department & Region Sud, the French Equestrian Federation, the Regional Committee of Equitation Provence Côte d'Azur, the French Horse and Equestrian Institute, and partners.

The 2024 edition of Cheval Passion d'Avignon

In this (french-hosted) Olympic year, Cheval Passion 2024 (January 17-21) will focus on high-level sporting events, with Show Jumping and Working Competitions featuring the best European riders competing in both dressage and technical handling events (like timed maneuverability and livestock sorting). Given the location, there will be many local breeds in pride-of-place; including Camargue, Lusitanian and Purebred Spanish horses. Several horse sales will be held. throughout the duration of the show.

The Graines d'Artistes project (supported by the Éperon Fund) features young riders (from school and colleges) in shows on the 'Poney Passion' track. The Crinières d'Or gala (show) will celebrate the strength of the bond that unites man and horse. Marvel at the unique gaits of Icelandic horses, the incomparable elegance of the Iberians, the return of the cavalry regiment of the Republican Guard (in a poetic battle with the trainer Gari Zoher,) the poetry of Camargue horses and flamenco culture, the Mexican accent of Marco Zermeño, or the frenetic rhythm of the Caval'Show.

Video Preview of the Event

But don't take my word for it. Check out this nice little promo video (from the event organisers) which will give you an idea of what to expect:

How to Get there

• By train: The SNCF station is is in the centre of the city and is connected by shuttle bus to the TGV station on the outskirts (from where Paris is just a 2h40 journey away). For timetables and information, visit the SNCF website or call 3635 (08.36.35.35.35 from abroad).

• By car: Leave the A7 motorway at the South Avignon exit (if coming from Marseille, Nice, Italy), or the North Avignon exit (if coming from Lyon, Paris). Alternatively, leave the A9 motorway at the Remoulins exit (if coming from Nîmes, Montpellier, or Spain). The city is also served by the RN 7 and RN 100 national routes.

• By bus: For the Local Network - Find info and Timetables on: www.pemavignon.fr. For the Regional Network, note that the Region has been consolidating its transport networks under a single banner: ZOU! New colors now adorn the buses that criss-cross the regional territory. More here: www.info-ler.fr

Resources

• The official website of the Cheval Passion

• The Avignon Tourism website; best for general tourist information

Accommodation

With stunning views, private pool, super-fast Broadband and modern air-conditioning, the villa Haute Vue is a pet-friendly villa rental with fast WiFi in Montauroux; well positioned for exploring both the interior of Provence and the highlights of the French Riviera. Sleeping 10/12 in 5/6 bedrooms, it is close to the beautiful perched villages of the Var and in easy reach of the beaches and sights of the sparkling Côte d'Azur.

The central Place du Grand Jardin is transformed for the occasion into a concert hall under the starry skies of Vence. The famous square is lined with restaurants, bars and ice-cream parlors. It's the perfect setting for a festive, convivial evening.

The 2024 edition of the Nuits du Sud Festival

After a "fallow year" in 2023, the festival returns from 4-13 July 2024 at its usual venue and format. The headliners this year include Christophe Maé (Thursday 4 July), Raphaël (Friday 5 July), Julian Marley (Saturday 6 July), and DJ Cerrone (Saturday 13 July).

The rest of the line-up includes:

• The White Lady – Thursday, July 4th, 2024

• Caravan Palace – Thursday, July 4th, 2024

• Fatoumata Diawara – Friday, July 5th, 2024

• Judah Roger – Saturday, July 6th, 2024

• Hollie Cook – Saturday, July 6th, 2024

• Luiza – Thursday, July 11th, 2024

• Rodrigo Y Gabriela – Friday, July 12th, 2024

• João Selva – Friday, July 12th, 2024

• Synapson DJ Set – Saturday, July 13th, 2024

Check out the Vibe

The fun little video (including backstage pieces) from Synapson will give you a feel for what to expect... plus the dynamic deep house duo are back to perform their DJ Set on the final Saturday night (most probably with vocalist Anna Hercot along for the ride):

How to Get there

Just 16 km from Nice Côte d'Azur international airport, 20 km from Antibes and Nice (TGV stations), and 9 km from Cagnes sur Mer (SNCF TER station), Vence is easy to access!

• By train: Best to take a local TER train to Cagnes-sur-Mer station, then bus n°9 or n°400 to the centre of the town. Or get a taxi from the TBV stations in either Antibes or Nice. For timetables, visit ter.sncf.com or sncf.com.

• By bus: For only €1.50, you can get a bus ticket from Saint Paul de Vence, Nice airport, Cagnes or Grasse. It's bus number 9 for Nice, 400 for St Paul de Vence, 511 for Grasse, or 47 for St Jeannet. Timetables at lignedazur.com & zou.maregionsud.fr.

• By car: Exit the “La Provençale” A8 motorway at either exit 48 (if coming from the west), or exit 47 (if coming from the east). Follow signs to the centre, which is served by the metropolitan M236, departmental D2210, and national 7 roads.

Resources

• The dedicated website for the Nuits du Sud Festival

• The Vence Tourisme website; best for general info on the town

Accommodation

With stunning panoramic views, private pool, super-fast broadband and modern air-conditioning, Haute Vue is a large Private Villa Hire in Montauroux; just 45 minutes drive from the festival site. Sleeping 10/12 in 5/6 bedrooms, it is the perfect central base for a holiday in the South of France; close to the beautiful perched villages of Provence and in easy reach of the beaches and sights of the sparkling Côte d'Azur.

Over approximately twenty days (including a week dedicated to young audiences), the organisers brings together more than 7,000 people to deliver a varied programme of shows, cultural and educational activities, training and support for further creation. The events are spread across across a wide range of venues in the City, including the Alpimium, the Utopia Cinema, the Opéra Grand Avignon, and the Théâtre des Halles.

Each National Choreographic Centre operates within a deliberately decentralised model, designed to maximise the connection with the local community, the participation of local people, the availability of diverse venues, and the fostering of innovation & creativity. Supported by state & local government grants, each is led by professionals who are not active artists, but focus full-time on furthering a mission to promote awareness of dance and sponsor the production and distribution of choreographic pieces.

The 2024 edition of Les Hivernales d'Avignon

Held from February 14 to March 2 this year, the undoubted highlight of the programme is the ballet Olympiade (see picture above); a choreography by Antonio De Rosa and Mattia Russo with the Madrid-based Kor'Sia Collective. Be prepared for unusual artistic devices around the body; allowing for new access to ways of being and transmitting the underlying nature of our society and culture. They are performing at the Opéra Grand Avignon, Place de L'Horloge in Avignon on Saturday February 24 at 8:00 p.m.

Les Hivernales 2024 - Teaser

This little teaser video gives you an idea of what to expect from this years festival (with performances from Massimo Fusco, Maëlle Reymond, Joanne Leighton, Shlomi Tuizer, Edmond Russo, and more):

How to Get there

• By train: The SNCF station is is in the centre of the city and is connected by shuttle bus to the TGV station on the outskirts (from where Paris is just a 2h40 journey away). For timetables and information, visit the SNCF website or call 3635 (08.36.35.35.35 from abroad).

• By car: Leave the A7 motorway at the South Avignon exit (if coming from Marseille, Nice, Italy), or the North Avignon exit (if coming from Lyon, Paris). Alternatively, leave the A9 motorway at the Remoulins exit (if coming from Nîmes, Montpellier, or Spain). The city is also served by the RN 7 and RN 100 national routes.

• By bus: For the Local Network - Find info and Timetables on: www.pemavignon.fr. For the Regional Network, note that the Region has been consolidating its transport networks under a single banner: ZOU! New colors now adorn the buses that criss-cross the regional territory. More here: www.info-ler.fr

Resources

• The official website of the Hivernales Avignon Festival

• The Avignon Tourism website; best for general tourist information

Accommodation

With stunning views, private pool, super-fast Broadband and modern air-conditioning, the villa Haute Vue is a pet-friendly villa with fast internet in Montauroux; conveniently positioned for exploring both the interior of Provence and the highlights of the French Riviera. Sleeping 10/12 in 5/6 bedrooms, it is close to the beautiful perched villages of the Var and in easy reach of the beaches and sights of the sparkling Côte d'Azur.

The vast majority have left their handprints in the ceramic tiles dotting the sidewalk of the Boulevard Edouard Baudoin, which runs behind the seaside stage. The stage itself is centred on La Pinède, an umbrella pine grove in the heart of Juan-les-Pins; which serves as a green lung for the town and features a children’s playground, a merry-go-round, sculptures and benches for sitting in the sunshine or shade.

The 63rd edition - 2024

The 63rd edition of "Jazz à Juan" will run from 8-18 July 2024. Joshua Redmond, Marcus Miller, and Chris Potter are the headliners. For Miller, it will be his 15th appearance at the festival and he appears on the same night as Redmond (who will be joined by vocalist Gabrielle Cavassa who features on his latest release):

An Afro Caribbean night has been programmed on 11/07 with Cuban outfit El Comité and bassist Avashi Cohen’s project 'Banda Iroko'. And there's also the traditional funk night on 16/07 with rising stars Scary Pockets and the legendary Kool & the Gang. Here's hoping they do 'Summer Madness' (as it has been on their recent setlists and is perfect for this audience, as track which was 30 years ahead of its time). Last but not least, global music superstar Youssou N’Dour also is also appearing (on 10/07).

The traditional French National Day free concert this year squeezes-in four acts, including a Japanese pianist, a Chinese trumpeter, a French vocal group and an all female New Orleans brass band before the firework display. There is also the regular New Orleans-style Marching Bands which play up and down the adjoining streets and the hour-long (free) Jam Sessions which follow the main acts and feature emerging bands who have won through to participate at the Jammin’ Juan Jazz Market (which takes place the previous November).

Check out the vibe

Why not check out this great video from the 2023 event, with Nile Rogers & Chic doing "Lose yourself to Dance":

How to Get there

• By train: you have a choice of the Antibes station (on the SNCF-TGV fast line from Marseille to Ventimiglia) and the Juan-les-Pins and Biot train stations (only local TER trains). Buy your tickets in advance for reduced hassle. Timetables here.

• By car: exit the A8 autoroute at "la Provençale" (exit 44), then take the RD 6007 followed by the RD 6098 to the centre. A full list of car parks is here.

• By bus: The local bus network is run by Envibus who provides services in Antibes as well as the surrounding communes, including Juan-les-Pins, Biot, Châteauneuf, Gourdon, Vallauris Golfe-Juan and Villeneuve-Loubet. Most services run every 15 to 30 minutes and you can download the timetable at the Envibus website:

  • Bus 2 - Antibes - Plage du Ponteil - Phare du Cap - Eden Roc

  • Bus 10 - Antibes - Biot Gare SNCF - Marineland - Biot village - Valbonne

  • Bus 14 - Fort Carre - Port Vauban - Plage du Ponteil - Port de la Salis

  • Bus 15 - Juan les Pins Gare SNCF circular

  • Bus 23 - Antibes - Biot Station - Villeneuve-Loubet Marina - La Colle sur Loup

Resources

• The official website for the Jazz à Juan Festival

• The Antibes / Juan-les-Pins Tourist Office website

Accommodation

With panoramic views, private infinity pool, super-fast Broadband / WiFi and modern air-conditioning, Haute Vue is a Pet friendly holiday villa in Montauroux; perfectly positioned for exploring both the interior of Provence and the French Riviera. Sleeping 10/12 in 5/6 bedrooms, it is the perfect central base for a holiday in the South of France; close to the beautiful perched villages of Provence and in easy reach of the beaches and sights of the sparkling Côte d'Azur.

You can sip on a little morning cocktail (my sort of thing!) whilst enjoying a variety of different formats and circuits:

• 4 circuits of different levels in the streets, alleys, cobbles of the village

• 1 heritage walking circuit of 3.5 km with 125 m of height variation

• 1 free fun circuit for young beginners with bicycles loaned if required

Le 3rd édition des Ruelles de Seillans - 2024

The 2024 event will be held on the 24th March and you can register to participate on sportips.fr. For more information, call 06 56 66 06 83.

There will be a refreshment bar and snacks on site and there is one parking lot provided for participants on the Chaix field, with a shuttle bus to transport pedestrians to the centre of the village. Seillans is classified as a one of the "plus beau villages" (most beautiful villages) in France, so it's a great place to visit at any time.

A Reconnaissance of the Route

A nice little video (with a suitably thumping soundtrack from the Glitch Mob) gives you an idea of what to expect if you are cycling the main route:

How to Get there

• By train/taxi: Take a train on the super-fast TGV route to Saint-Raphaël Valescure station, then catch a local taxi for the 35km drive up to Seillans.

• By car: Leave the A8 (Nice – Aix en Provence) autoroute at exit 39 (direction "Fayence /Les Adrets de l 'Estérel") and drive a delightful route around the Lake of Saint-Cassien on the D37 into the Valley of Fayence. Follow signs from there on the D562, D19 to the centre of the village.

• By bus: Whilst car is probably your best bet, you can reach Seillans by bus with some effort. The village is served by the ZOU regional network; and timetables are available at their website: https://zou.maregionsud.fr/

Resources

• The official website of the primary Sponsor; Seillans Vélos Nature

• The offical Tourist Office website of Seillans

Accommodation

With panoramic views, private infinity pool, super-fast Broadband / WiFi and modern air-conditioning, Haute Vue is a Luxury villa with private pool in Montauroux; perfectly positioned for exploring both the interior of Provence and the French Riviera. Sleeping 10/12 in 5/6 bedrooms, it is the perfect central base for a holiday in the South of France; close to the beautiful perched villages of Provence and in easy reach of the beaches and sights of the sparkling Côte d'Azur.

The village association brings together an average of 70 artists each year, who exhibit in the village in just about every place imaginable; adorning the places, squares, walls and benches of the village. Demonstration workshops will be placed at different strategic points and there is a free pictorial expression workshop for children set up in the shade of the plane trees on Place de la Mairie.

The Saturday features drinks at noon (with the elected officials of the canton) and a musical performance in the evening (usually programmed to suit all ages and encourage people to dance).

The 20th edition of Les Arts au Coeur du Village - 2024

The event welcomes artists from the Canton of Fayence, as well as from neighbouring departments of Provence; in order to promote Art in all its forms. As you can see from the poster below, you could exhibit yourself (if you are brave enough) as long as you apply well in advance and have a good portfolio.

This year the event will be held on Saturday and Sunday, 13-14th July. There will be paintings, sculptures, ceramics, street art, and live performances to entertain visitors.

Check out the vibe

This video from France 3 News gives you a feel for the artistic spirit of the village; which is, in fact, full of arty little shops at any time of the year:

How to Get there

• By train/taxi: Take a train on the super-fast TGV route to Saint-Raphaël Valescure station, then catch a local taxi for the 35km drive up to Tourrettes.

• By car: Leave the A8 (Nice – Aix en Provence) autoroute at exit 39 (direction "Fayence /Les Adrets de l 'Estérel") and drive a delightful route around the Lake of Saint-Cassien on the D37 into the Valley of Fayence. Follow signs from there on the D562, D19, D219 to the centre of the village.

• By bus: Whilst car is probably your best bet, you can reach Tourrettes by bus with a bit of effort. The village is served by the ZOU regional network; and timetables are available at their website: https://zou.maregionsud.fr/

Resources

• The official website for the Festival

• The Aix-en-Provence Tourist Office website

Accommodation

With panoramic views, private infinity pool, super-fast Broadband / WiFi and modern air-conditioning, Haute Vue is a Villa with private pool & panoramic view in Montauroux; perfectly positioned for exploring both the interior of Provence and the French Riviera. Sleeping 10/12 in 5/6 bedrooms, it is the perfect central base for a holiday in the South of France; close to the beautiful perched villages of Provence and in easy reach of the beaches and sights of the sparkling Côte d'Azur.

The festival was founded in July 1948 by Countess Lily Pastré, who famously covered the entire costs of the first edition herself! It was made up of three or four concerts in the cour de l'Archevêché, a concert in the Saint-Sauveur cathedral, and six further concerts & recitals in various locations throughout the town. An opera was added to the concerts - Mozart's Così fan tutte - a work practically unknown to the French public at the time. In 1949, they followed-up with a stunning production of Don Giovanni that people still talk about to this day. With this, Aix became a firm part of the European social calendar.

The 76th edition of the Aix-en-Provence Festival - 2024

In 2024, the festival dates are 3-27 July. This year, the overarching theme is « destinées exemplairement ambivalentes » (exemplarily ambivalent destinies); where the violence of madness & destruction are met by will, and the struggle for justice & emancipation. Predominantly, it's French (Rameau, Debussy and Gluck) meets Italian (the wit of Puccini and the baroque of Monteverdi).

There are several new productions, including Iphigénie en Aulide and Iphigénie en Tauride (coming together in a new production by Dmitri Tcherniakov, Monteverdi's Il ritorno d'Ulisse in patria and the world premiere of Samson by Rameau, a true chimera of opera.

The 2024 Line-Up for the Festival d'Aix-en-Provence

A performance of Puccini's Madame Butterfly (above) is sure to be the highlight this year, as we celebrate the century of his death. But there is a lot more to savour (as you can see from the official programme below):

Check out the vibe

This nice little reel of highlights from 1961-2017 will give you a feel for the spine-tingling performances one can expect:

How to Get there

• By train: Aix is served by the super-fast TGV service (with trains taking just 2h55 from Paris). Whilst the TGV station is 12km from the city, there are shuttles to the centre every 30 minutes. If you prefer, the Gustave Desplaces (Aix-en-Provence) station is in the centre and is served by regional (TER) trains from Marseille, Pertuis, Gap and Briançon.

• By car: Aix is at the join of two major autoroutes; the A8 ("La Provençale") and the A51 ("Val de Durance"). The exits from both are no more than 10 minutes from the centre of the town (in normal traffic). Perfect!

• By bus: This is probably the best-served town in the South of France, with no less than four different operators and lots of different routes:

  • ZOU! PACA Régional Express - Avignon, Barcelonnette, Briançon, Carpentras, Castellane, Forcalquier, Le Luc (Saint-Tropez), Marseille, Toulon & Nice.

  • Eurolines/Isilines - from: Annecy, Annemasse, Belfort, Besançon, Bézier, Chalon-sur-Saône, Chambéry, Chamonix, Cluses, Colmar, Dijon, Grenoble, Le Cannet, Le Frayet, Lille, Lyon, Metz, Montpellier, Mulhouse, Nancy, Narbonne, Nice, Nîmes, Paris, Perpignan, Saint-Julien en Genevois, Strasbourg & Valence

  • Flixbus - from: Agen, Anger, Annecy, Barcelone, Belfort, Besançon, Bordeaux, Bourg-de-Péage, Bourges, Cannes, Chambéry, Charolles, Clermont-Ferrand, Digoin, Genève, Grenoble, Gênes, Lyon, Menton, Milan, Montpellier, Mulhouse, Nantes, Narbonne, Nice, Nîmes, Paray-Le-Monial, Paris, Perpignan, Saint-Etienne, Saumur, Sisteron, Strasbourg, Toulouse, Tours, Valence & Villefranche sur Saône.

  • Ouibus - from: Gênes, Lyon, Milan, Montélimar, Montpellier, Nice, Perpignan & Valence.

Resources

• The official website for the Festival d'Aix

• The Aix-en-Provence Tourist Office website

Accommodation

With panoramic views, private infinity pool, super-fast Broadband / WiFi and modern air-conditioning, Haute Vue is a Holiday Home with panoramic view in Montauroux; perfectly positioned for exploring both the interior of Provence and the French Riviera. Sleeping 10/12 in 5/6 bedrooms, it is the perfect central base for a holiday in the South of France; close to the beautiful perched villages of Provence and in easy reach of the beaches and sights of the sparkling Côte d'Azur.

The beautiful course around the St Cassien lake is sure to inspire you and it's a mixed ability group of runners, trailers, walkers, cross-country runners, track and field runners, parents and children. You will love it!

The 20th Edition of Les Foulees du Lac - 2024

This year, €5 from each entry will be donated to the "Trail pour Tous" association (www.trailpourtous.fr -social integration of people with disabilities through sporting, entertaining and dynamic activities). An additional donation will be possible on the SPORTIPS website.

You can register to participate at https://sportips.fr/inscription/FDL24. The race takes place on Sunday, April 14th from 9:30 a.m. There are regular free shuttles between Montauroux College and the starting line at Esterets du Lac.

Touring the Lac de Saint Cassien

No videos of the race itself, sadly (I must remember to take one!) but this little drone video of the Lake will give you an idea of the vibe:

How to Get there

• By car/bus: Park your car in Montauroux and take one of the free shuttle buses from the Montauroux College to the start line. You will finish back at Montauroux.

Resources

• The official website of the Entente du Pays de Fayence Athlétisme (EPF)

• The Sportips site, where you can register for the race

Accommodation

With stunning panoramic views, private pool, super-fast broadband and modern air-conditioning, Haute Vue is a large Holiday Villa with panoramic views in Montauroux; just 4 minutes walk from the shuttle buses. Sleeping 10/12 in 5/6 bedrooms, it is the perfect central base for a holiday in the South of France; close to the beautiful perched villages of Provence and in easy reach of the beaches and sights of the sparkling Côte d'Azur.

Carpentras may be a bit of a drive for you, as it nestles (just) into the Vaucluse department (north-east of Avignon), but if you love strawberries, it's definitely worth it! What you won't find is strawberries rammed into all sorts of concoctions where they don't belong. What you will find is enormous baskets of strawberries, jam, juice, and some elegant sugary confections (all at a great price). Superb!

Carpentras Strawberries

The strawberry began by growing wild in Western Europe, America, and Asia; spread by migratory birds. The Romans appreciated them for their taste and fragrance. The strawberry we enjoy today was introduced to France in medieval times, and from the Renaissance onwards, was eaten with cream or wine.

There are now over 600 strawberry varieties in France. The Carpentras strawberry, grown in the Comtat Venaissin plain, has an unbeatable taste and became a registered trademark in 1987. It has its own brotherhood, which offers a virtual booklet with several sweet and savoury recipes based on strawberries, entitled: "Recipes from the Carpentras strawberry brotherhood". There are four main varieties of Carpentras strawberry:

• Cléry: which is carmine red and bright, with a very aromatic and pleasant taste;

• Gariguette: orange-red in colour, elongated and very fragrant;

• Ciflorette: orange-red in colour and ovoid in shape, with tender, juicy, slightly acidic flesh, similar to the scent of the wild strawberry. It is considered the top-of-the-range strawberry.

• Pajaro: dark red, almost purple, with an imposing heart shape.

The French consume an average of 2 kilograms of strawberries per person per year. 4,000 tons are produced each year in Carpentras, which represents more than 50% of the production of Provence with 500 farms in the Carpentras area.

Pop Quiz: Is the strawberry a fruit?

Answer = Not quite! The red, fleshy part that we like to bite into is not considered a fruit because it is only the receptacle of the flower. It is the "achenes", the small hard yellow seeds that can be seen on the surface of the strawberry, that are the fruit.

The Fête de la fraise à Carpentras - 2024

The Strawberry Festival returns on Saturday 13th April, 2024 and you can find all four main varieties on the stalls of the Comtadin producers; all at wholesale prices! Wine estates and other taste makers with strawberry-derived products will also be present. This is the programme for the day:

Saturday April 13 (open to all)

• 10:15 a.m. - Official opening

• 11 a.m. - Culinary demonstration by Escoffier’s disciples (savory dish)

• 11:45 a.m. - Inductions

• 12:30 p.m. - Aperitif offered by the town hall

• 2 p.m. - Culinary demonstration by Escoffier’s disciples (sweet dish)

• 3 p.m. - Prize giving for competitions

• 5 p.m. - End of the strawberry festival

• All day - Free carousel, giant chocolate fountain, strawberry smoothie bike, drawing competition organized by the merchants' association, mule ride for children, free competitions all day long.

(By appointment) with the Tourist Office

• Attend the demonstration of the making strawberry cartons, at the Confiserie du Mont Ventoux - at 10:00 a.m.

• Follow the guided tour from the town of Carpentras, "from the old center to the Porte d'Orange" - at 2:30 p.m.

• Enjoy gourmet meals!

On the day before and after the event, there are special "strawberry themed" meals with wine organised at local restaurants. Check out the office festival site for more info.

Highlights of the 2023 Carpentras Strawberry Festival

The 2023 Festival took place under radiant sunshine. The day was very lively, with jazz numbers from the "Petite fanfare", induction chapter of the Brotherhood of the Strawberry of Carpentras, a pastry demonstration by the Disciples d'Escoffier chefs, and by the Envie des Mets. This nice little video will give you an idea:

Transportation: Getting There

• By Car: If coming from the north, leave the A7 motorway at the Orange Sud exit and use the D950 to enter the town. From the south, leave the A7 at the Avignon Nord exit and take the D942 to reach Carpentras.

• By Train: Carpentras station is served by (TER) regional passenger trains to Sorgues and Avignon, where you can connect to the Fast TGV lines. Timetables can be found here.

• By Bus: Carpentras is served by the Trans'cove network (to the villages of Beaumes-de-Venise, Sarrians, Bédoin, Malaucène, Gigondas, Flassan, Venasque Urban and more), plus the ZOU bus network (for broader connectivity). Transcove timetables here and ZOU timetables here.

Resources

• The official site of the Strawberry Festival

• The Town of Carpentras website

Accommodation

With stunning views, private pool, super-fast WiFi and modern air-conditioning, Haute Vue is a large holiday home with private pool in Montauroux; a 2h25 minute drive from Carpentras and the perfect central base for a holiday in the South of France. Sleeping 10/12 in 5/6 bedrooms, it is close to the beautiful perched villages of the Var and in easy reach of the beaches and sights of the sparkling Côte d'Azur.

All this you know, of course. What you may not be familiar with is the square boules variety; played in Haut-de-Cagnes; the medieval hill village in the centre of Cagnes sur Mer. Quirky I know, but there is a (practical) reason: the streets here are too steep to play regular boules, so in 1979 a member of the local "Cercle des Amis" club invented a variant with balls (or rather wooden cubes) that wouldn’t roll. Eh voilà! Pétanque carrée!

43rd Edition of the Championnat du monde de Boules Carrées

So, as someone who once won an U15 county Hammer Throw gold medal because I was the only person stupid enough to take part, this is what I am thinking: could this be my opportunity to be a world champion? Perhaps you are thinking the same. Well 42 editions later, and the championship is now indeed attended by players from across the world (including clubs from France, Belgium, Italy, and the United States).

The championship is played in two adjacent streets on the montée de la Bourgade, both uphill and down. This year the event is sponsored by Château le Cagnard (a local hotel) and other local businesses.

Review of the 42nd World Square Bowl Championship - 2023

Held under a hot sun on the penultimate weekend of August (in temperatures over 40 degrees), the 2023 Championship was a real test of perseverance for the 146 teams (and 555 players) taking part.

The awards were as follows:

• World Championships (146 teams)

  • Champions: BARBI Yannick, MUNOZ Cédric and MORETTO Vincent

  • Finalists: BARBI Thierry, BARBI Pierre and PROVENCAL Romain

• The Idéo challenge (39 teams)

  • Winners: MASSENA Fred, MASSENA Manu and NASSIF Thierry

  • Finalists: TABO Michel, TABO Mireille and REYDON Pierre

A Video Taster

As you can imagive, the event often features as the "fun item at the end of the News" so gets lots of French TV coverage. This nice little video from the 2022 event gives you an idea of the format and the vibe:

How to Get there

• By train: Cagnes-sur-Mer railway station is located on the Marseille–Ventimiglia railway, between Cannes and Nice. The station is served by regional (TER) trains to Cannes, Grasse, Antibes and Nice. Timetables here.

• By car/bus: Leave the A8 Autoroute at Exits 47/48 signed 'Cahnes-sur-Mer' and follow directions for Centre-Ville. Leave your car in one of the many parking lots in the city centre and use the free shuttle bus (n° 44) to reach Haut-de-Cagnes (the medieval centre). Timetable here: https://www.lignesdazur.com/horaires-ligne/32

Resources

• The official tournament website of the Cercle Amis

• The Cagnes-sur-Mer Office de Tourisme website

Accommodation

With stunning panoramic views, private pool, super-fast broadband and modern air-conditioning, Haute Vue is a large Holiday Villa with panoramic views in Montauroux; just 45 minutes drive from the tournament site. Sleeping 10/12 in 5/6 bedrooms, it is the perfect central base for a holiday in the South of France; close to the beautiful perched villages of Provence and in easy reach of the beaches and sights of the sparkling Côte d'Azur.

The Friday before the Costume Festival, there is a long night parade in traditional costumes - the Pégoulado - which brings together more than a thousand participants on the Boulevard des Lices. The Gardians (herdsmen) and Arlésiennes (their women) put on their most splendid clothes and walk the streets of beautiful Arles, under the light of lanterns (“pegos”) and to the rhythm of fifes and galoubets, before gathering at the Antique Theater. It is truly a feast for the eyes and, of course, the camera lens; with a true dance of colours and textures.

The Arlesians are very protective about their traditions and once every three years they choose their Queen of Arles, a beautiful woman that can represent the local language, costumes, and traditions. During the Costume Festival, ​she makes her annual speech. The presence of the Queen and her Maids of Honour is an essential part of any festivity in the town just like the bull fights, the mu​sic, and the aïoli.

The younger women under 15 (or “Mireilles”) wear a special costume and the "Festo Verginenco" is the taking of the ribbon and costume; where the girls transitioning to adulthood are presented to the people of Provence at the Théâtre Antique,

On the Monday following Costume Day, the “cocarde d’or” (golden cockade) takes place in the ancient Roman Ampitheatre. This is the most prestigious of the Course Camarguaise (bullfights). Only professional champions (called "raseteurs" and dressed in pure white) can take part (unlike some other formats in the Camargue where members of the crowd even 'jump in'). A roundel is fixed on the bull's horns and each time a raseteur removes one, he gets money. No! The bulls are not harmed. Although the rasteurs very frequently are!

The 2024 Fête du Costume in Arles

The next Pégoulado will take place on Friday June 28, 2024 at 9 p.m on Bd Clémenceau near Gambetta. New this year, the procession will also be open to folk groups from other regions; with people joining from Marseille, Nice and Comtadin to add color to the parade which promises to be more danceable and dynamic than usual.

And if you are visiting this year, you are in luck! 2024 is one of the one-in-three years when a new Queen of Arles will be elected; replacing Naïs Lesbros; the 23rd queen to bear this title. Like her predecessors, her mandate will be as guardian of Provençal culture, costume and language, accompanied by her Maidens of Honour.

A Video Tour

A nice little video from the 2022 event, which should give you an idea of what to expect from your visit:

How to Get there

• By train: The TGV fast train from Paris to Arles takes less than 4 hours. From Marseille or Montpellier it's under an hour, and from Avignon or Nîmes it's just 30 minutes. The centre of Arles is an 8-minute walk from the station. Timetables can be found on the SNCF website.

• By car: If you’re driving to Arles, think of giving somebody a lift on blablacar.fr. If you are coming from Paris, Lyon, Marseille, or Nice, take the A7 Autoroute from Paris, Lyon, Marseille and Nice, then Exit 5 for the A54 to Arles Centre-Ville. If you are coming from the west (e.g. Toulouse or Bordeaux), then take Autoroute A9 and leave at Exit 5, for Arles Centre-Ville.

• By bus: There is a regular service from Marseille, Nîmes and Avignon. Please consult Le Pilote website (for all routes in the Bouches-du-Rhône) or Gard Transport (for routes from the Gard department).

Resources

• The official Festival website

• The official site of the Queen of Arles

• The Arles Tourism website; best for general tourist information

Accommodation

With stunning views, private pool, super-fast Broadband and modern air-conditioning, the villa Haute Vue is a Luxury Holiday Villa with panaoramic view in Montauroux; conveniently positioned for exploring both the interior of Provence and the highlights of the French Riviera. Sleeping 10/12 in 5/6 bedrooms, it is close to the beautiful perched villages of the Var and in easy reach of the beaches and sights of the sparkling Côte d'Azur.

Jasminum grandiflorum

Jasminum grandiflorum has been cultivated in Grasse since the mid-19th century. It gives off an unforgettable scent; sweet, floral and fruity. The picking season lasts from August to October. Every day, the pickers find themselves in the fields and from 5 a.m., begin to pick out these delicate flowers with their captivating scent. It takes two hours to collect a kilo of these little white stars which must be delivered to the factories early in the afternoon to be processed immediately. For one liter of jasmine absolute – a treasure - you need eight kilos of flowers!

The 2024 Fête du Jasmin à Grasse

Every year since 1946, the town of Grasse has been celebrating jasmine and paying tribute to all its growers and creators. This is only natural in a city famous the world over for it's perfume. The 2024 event will be held on the 2-4 August, as is traditional. More details when we have them!

Review of the 2023 Fête de la Bière in Grasse

In the meantime, check out our review of the 2023 edition. The weekend of 4-6 August 2023 was, for sure, an eventful one:

With fireworks to start things off, this was the Programme from the 2023 Event:

Friday August 4

Music in the Cours Honoré Cresp

• 7 p.m.: The Music Course with Fred REBUFFO

• From 9 p.m. to midnight: Foam party with Fred REBUFFO

• 10:15 p.m.: Fireworks by BGMA PYRO - RUGGIERI

Saturday August 5

The crazy city center - Free and for all audiences

• Place Morel:

  • From 3 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. and from 5:30 p.m. to 6 p.m.: Demonstration and introduction to Bachatta: Try this dance as beautiful as it is languorous with the Salsa Association Libertad

  • From 4 p.m. to 5 p.m.: Fashion show of Upcycling dresses: Discover the fashion of tomorrow through a parade of recycled clothing on a floral theme with Odimée Edmée and her muse Elodie FATTER

• Place aux Aires:

  • From 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.: Festival teaser de la Craie: In the presence of Jérémy BESSET with participation of the children

• Strolls:

  • From 3:45 p.m. to 4:15 p.m., from 5:15 p.m. to 5:45 p.m. and from 6:45 p.m. to 7:15 p.m.: Jazz Band du Cannet: A rhythmic stroll in joy and good humor

  • From 3 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., from 4:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. and from 6 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.: Urban acrobats and Batucada: From their arrival on Grasse to their integration into the evening flower parade, the Marseillais guarantee thrills and atmosphere in all their performances.

Evening Events:

• A bouncing Jasminade overture: Extraordinary opening show with street acrobats at 8:30 p.m. on the Cours Honoré Cresp

• 9 p.m.: Opening of the Floered Corso by the Provençals with Leï Baisso Luserno and the Felibrige association: Parade with sprinkling of jasmine water by the Grasse firefighters and distribution of flowers by Miss Grasse, Miss Pays de Grasse and her dauphines. Among the groups, come in large numbers to admire the luminous parades of Parfum de Jasmin – giant jasmine flowers, the flower women of Tropical Flower, La Crazy Team and the Batucada, the DIVA troop of RIO with its giant balloons, Les Flots Bleus will amaze young and old with their aquatic ballet, the multi-colored flag throwers, the riches of the Voiles du Nil and the Kingdom of the Elves troop will take you on a journey of escape.

Sunday August 6:

A day full of traditions - Princess Pauline Gardens

• 10 a.m.: Traditional Provençal mass: In the presence of the folk music group Lei Basso Luserno

• Place du Petit Puy: 1:30 p.m.: 10th Edition of the Mondial Parfumé de Boules Carrées

Check out the Vibe

This video from the 2011 edition will give you an idea of what to expect from your visit:

How to Get there

• By car: Take the A8 (from Aix en Provence), then exit on the RD 6185 (from Cannes) signed Grasse. If you are coming from the East, exit the A8 on the D2085 (from Nice). If you are coming from the Var, then use the D2562.

• By train: Grasse station is the terminus of the Cannes-la-Bocca to Grasse Railway Line from Cannes. It is served by regional trains (TER Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur) to Cannes, Antibes and Nice. Visit the TER website for timetables.

• By bus: The best local bus service is the 500 route from Nice to Grasse. You can access the timetable here: https://www.cirm-manca.org/docpdf/lignenicegrasse.pdf

Resources

• The official site for the Jasmine Festival

• The toursim site for Grasse

Accommodation

With a private infinity pool, super-fast Broadband / WiFi and modern air-conditioning, Haute Vue is a luxury holiday home with fast internet in Montauroux; well positioned for exploring both the interior of Provence and the French Riviera. Sleeping 10/12 in 5/6 bedrooms, it is a great central base for a holiday in the South of France; close to the beautiful perched villages of Provence and in easy reach of the beaches and sights of the sparkling Côte d'Azur.

Numerous activities are organized throughout the day. You can visit the lavender fields, interact with local producers, and can learn about the distillation process using a 19th-century still. Later, you can browse the producer’s market stalls, check out the photo exhibits, watch films, and enjoy the musical and folk dancing show.

All about Lavandula

Lavandula (common name lavender) is a genus of 47 known species of perennial flowering plants in the mints family, Lamiaceae. It is native to Eurasia, and particularly thrives along the Mediterranean coastline. Cultivated as as ornamental plants for garden and landscape use, it is also used in traditional medicine, as an ingredient in perfumes, and to extract the fabulous lavender oils.

Throughout the village - and particularly in the market - you can find products and souvenirs featuring lavender in every possible form; including essential oils, pillows, soaps. and culinary products. Here's a great intro video from Riviera Bar Crawl & Tours:

The 30ème Fête de la Lavande à Valensole - 2024

The festival will be held on Sunday the 21st July 2024. Whilst the exact programme has yet to be announced, this video from the 2022 edition will give you some idea of what to expect from a visit:

Review of the 2023 Valensole Lavender Festival

In 2006, the Chinese romantic TV Series 帘幽梦 - "Dreams behind a crystal curtain” - was filmed in the Valensole region. Ever since, Provence in general, and Valensole in particular, became a must-visit destination for many tourists from China, Taiwan and Hong Kong.

This was the programme for the 2023 event:

All day

• Free tours of lavender and sunflower fields and distilleries, meetings with producers of village products.

• Traditional distillation of the lavender flower at the heart of the celebration, with an old still from the 19th century.

• Exhibition of discovery of ancient and modern agricultural equipment used for harvesting lavender.

• Exhibition, sale of quality artisanal products, based on lavender only. There were more than 140 professionals attending the festival, in the village and plateau.

• Traveling exhibition “History(s) of lavender”. (Texts: Magali Amir I & Watercolors: Maud Briand at the MIJC)

• Guided tours according to your mood and desires with the shuttles set up by the organization. Departure: The post office.

• Visit supervised by professional farmers of the traditional old and modern distilleries of the little blue flower.

• Fun visit to the Valensole lavender museum.

• First flight by helicopter and discovery of the palette of lavender fields on the Valensole plateau (€50 per person. From 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m.)

Exhibition & discovery

• From 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.: Free visit to the Cluniac site of the Saint Mayeul Chapel and the Saint Blaise church

• Screening of the film “The Magic of the Plateau de Valensole” by Régis Nicolas, duration 1 hour, Cinema Hall (lavender tunnel) . Sessions in French at 10 a.m., 11:15 a.m., 1:30 p.m., 2:15 p.m., 3:30 p.m. and 5 p.m., session in Italian at 2:30 p.m.

• Permanent literary exhibition and meeting with authors and poets from the “Poètes des Hautes Terres” association.

• Folkloric and musical shows

• Artists musicians singers strolling: good humor displayed with the Rosalie Orkestra

• Clay modeling around lavender (Lavender space)

• Balloon sculptures on demand with Roudoudoo (Lavender Space 1 & 2)

• Depending on their mood, a walk of 4 saddled donkeys from “Sabots de Provence”

Entertainment

• 10:00 a.m. - “Les Lavandières de Valensole” sing about lavender and their village. (Fountain, Lavender space 1 & 2)

• 10:30 a.m. - Folk group “L’Escolo Dou Trelus” from Pernes les Fontaines and les Cagouillards from Charentes Maritimes (Lavender Space 1)

• 11:30 a.m. - Induction of the Knights (Tourist Office)

• 11:30 a.m. - Folk group “L’Escolo Dou Trelus” (Lavender Space 2)

• 3:30 p.m. - Folk group “L’Escolo Dou Trelus” (Espace lavande 1 & 2)

• 7:00 p.m. - Closing of the lavender festival

• 9:00 p.m. - Place de la Mairie DJ ball with ASL MUSIC

Refreshment bar, on-site catering, and “lavender meals” in the village restaurants.

How to Get there

• By car: Valensole is in the middle of the countryside, so public transportation is limited in the area. If coming from the south, leave the A8 at exit 34 (Saint-Maximin-la-Sainte-Baume), then take the D560, D35, D554, D35 and RD 8 to Pl. du Marché in Valensole.

• By train/bus: The nearest railway station is in Manosque - Gréoux-les-Bains (accessible by TER trains from the Riviera). You can then take the 30 mins ride on the 133 bus from there to the village. It's quite a jaunt though!

• By tour: If you are without a car, perhaps the best way to reach the festival would be to book (well in advance!) one of the organised tours to the village.

Resources

• The Tourist site for Valensole

• The Official Site for the Lavender Festival

• The "With you Valensole" Association of Local Traders

Accommodation

With stunning views, private pool, super-fast WiFi and modern air-conditioning, Haute Vue is a large holiday home with private pool in Montauroux; right in the middle of Mimosa country and a short drive from Tanneron and Mandelieu. Sleeping 10/12 in 5/6 bedrooms, it is the perfect central base for a holiday in the South of France; close to the beautiful perched villages of Provence and in easy reach of the beaches and sights of the sparkling Côte d'Azur.

The 16th edition - 2024

The yearly gastronomy festival always runs at the end of October (dates still to be announced) and is organised by Kiwanis Club d’Antibes Juan-les-Pins. The festival is spread across the two halls of the Espaces du Fort Carré. You will find artisan producers, wine from all over France, gastronomic specialties, pastry classes given by the likes of Christian Cottard, oenology classes given by sommeliers (such as Jérome Mauzé), and cooking demonstrations by La Flambée and others.

Review of the 2023 Antibes Wine & Gastronomy Fair

There were more than 3,000 visitors at this 15th Show; a new attendance record. Kiwanis is an international organisation (of volunteers) who work to help children who are sick, disabled or in difficulty. The fair is their most important event, and all the profits go to providing children with material help, moral support and a little happiness.

How to Get there

• By train: you have a choice of the Antibes station (on the SNCF-TGV fast line from Marseille to Ventimiglia) and the Juan-les-Pins and Biot train stations (only local TER trains). Buy your tickets in advance for reduced hassle. Timetables here.

• By car: exit the A8 autoroute at "la Provençale" (exit 44), then take the RD 6007 followed by the RD 6098 to the centre. A full list of car parks is here.

• By bus: The local bus network is run by Envibus who provides services in Antibes as well as the surrounding communes, including Juan-les-Pins, Biot, Châteauneuf, Gourdon, Vallauris Golfe-Juan and Villeneuve-Loubet. Most services run every 15 to 30 minutes and you can download the timetable at the Envibus website:

  • Bus 2 - Antibes - Plage du Ponteil - Phare du Cap - Eden Roc

  • Bus 10 - Antibes - Biot Gare SNCF - Marineland - Biot village - Valbonne

  • Bus 14 - Fort Carre - Port Vauban - Plage du Ponteil - Port de la Salis

  • Bus 15 - Juan les Pins Gare SNCF circular

  • Bus 23 - Antibes - Biot Station - Villeneuve-Loubet Marina - La Colle sur Loup

Resources

• The Kiwanis site on Eventbrite, where you should be able to get free tickets

• The official tourism site of Antibe Juans-les-Pins

Accommodation

With panoramic views, private infinity pool, super-fast Broadband / WiFi and modern air-conditioning, Haute Vue is a Luuxury Holiday Villa Rental in Montauroux; perfectly positioned for exploring both the interior of Provence and the French Riviera. Sleeping 10/12 in 5/6 bedrooms, it is the perfect central base for a holiday in the South of France; close to the beautiful perched villages of Provence and in easy reach of the beaches and sights of the sparkling Côte d'Azur.

As you might expect, there is a great selection of German beers (served in huge glasses), as well as Bavarian food; spread across multiple large tables. There is also live music (courtesy of traveling brass band from Ingolstadt itself) and entertainment throughout, all under a huge marquee. Over the last few years, Herrnbräu has been the anchor brewer and the food has been prepared by Alain Pons.

The 9th edition of the Grasse Beer Festival - 2024

The event is always held on the On the Place du Cours Honoré-Cresp in the heart of Grasse. As in previous years, the “Bayrisch Blau” quartet will bring the music (from the residents of Ingolstadt) and a group from the Gerolfing local history and traditional costume association in Ingolstadt will showcase Bavarian culture with music and dance. The dates have not been confirmed yet but will be in the first half of September.

Review of the 2023 Fête de la Bière in Grasse

2023 was a special year in the history of the beer festival, marking as it did the 60th anniversary of the twinning of Ingolstadt and Grasse. Mayor Jérôme Viaud (of Grasse) and cultural officer Gabriel Engert (of Ingolstadt) jointly unveiled a memorial plaque honouring the long-standing cooperation between the two towns, ahead of the festival from September 7-10:

On the Place du Cours Honoré Cresp, in the heart of the city, guests were able to enjoy specialties from the Herrnbräu brewery together with “Amperland musicians” brought by the people of Ingolstadt to provide the entertainment and atmosphere:

How to Get there

• By car: Take the A8 (from Aix en Provence), then exit on the RD 6185 (from Cannes) signed Grasse. If you are coming from the East, exit the A8 on the D2085 (from Nice). If you are coming from the Var, then use the D2562.

• By train: Grasse station is the terminus of the Cannes-la-Bocca to Grasse Railway Line from Cannes. It is served by regional trains (TER Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur) to Cannes, Antibes and Nice. Visit the TER website for timetables.

• By bus: The best local bus service is the 500 route from Nice to Grasse. You can access the timetable here: https://www.cirm-manca.org/docpdf/lignenicegrasse.pdf

Resources

• The Instagram for MyBeersGrasse, who are always involved in the organisation

• The toursim site for Grasse

Accommodation

With a private infinity pool, super-fast Broadband / WiFi and modern air-conditioning, Haute Vue is a Pet friendly holiday home with fast Broadband in Montauroux; perfectly positioned for exploring both the interior of Provence and the French Riviera. Sleeping 10/12 in 5/6 bedrooms, it is a great central base for a holiday in the South of France; close to the beautiful perched villages of Provence and in easy reach of the beaches and sights of the sparkling Côte d'Azur.

With every length from 5 to 48 meters, the show truly caters for everyone from the small yachtsmen to the buyers of luxury yachts. The tens of thousands of visitors each year are spoilt for choice: from new to second-hand, for sale or rental. There are numerous areas ashore offering a multitude of products, including fameux toys, the nautical toys so popular on large yachts.

The 47th edition of the Cannes Yachting Festival - 2024

The 4th edition will run from the 10-15 September 2024. There will be some significant changes to the layout of the show. A major renovation and modernisation of the Vieux Port, initiated by the city in early 2024, will affect the southern part of the Albert Edouard jetty, located on the north-western side of the harbour entrance, the careening area and the Max Laubeuf parking lot, located opposite and to the south-west of the harbour entrance. The work will not be fully complete until 2026, but will further enlarge the overall show area.

Review of the 2023 Edition of the Cannes Boat Show

As Sylvie Ernoult, Director of the Cannes Yachting Festival, summarised: "The 46th Cannes Yachting Festival has just closed its doors under the best auspices. This year we reached a record with 705 boats and 55,000 visitors from all over the world (more than 130 countries). From the first days of the show, we got a lot of positive feedback from our 610 exhibitors, who were very satisfied with sales generated and visitor quality. Many eco-friendly innovations were showcased in all areas of the show, and our visitors made good use of the "Green" route and appreciated it. The new, in-water area for small boats from 8 metres long also found its audience. We are proud and pleased with these results, which acknowledge our efforts to continually meet both our exhibitors and visitors' expectations as best we can".

This great little video (of the 2023 event) from the folks at Yachting Pleasure should give you an idea of what to expect:

How to Get there

• By train: The best way to get to the event. The Cannes Train Station is served by both high-speed TGV services and local TER trains (on the Marseille–Ventimiglia railway). It is very central within Cannes and gives easy access to the shopping streets and markets. Timetables here.

• By bus: Express Bus 81 (from Cote d'Azur Express Buses) goes direct from Nice Airport Terminal 2 to Cannes train station (and takes 50 minutes).

• By car: If you really must (but I warn you will be busy!) leave the A8 Autoroute at “La Provençale” (exit 41) signed 'Cannes La Bocca' or exit 42 signed 'Mougins / Cannes (center)' and follow signs for the centre of town.

Resources

• The official website of the Cannes Yachting Festival

• The Cannes Office de Tourisme website

Accommodation

With stunning panoramic views, private pool, super-fast broadband and modern air-conditioning, Haute Vue is a large Holiday Villa with private pool in Montauroux; just 40 minutes drive from the festival site. Sleeping 10/12 in 5/6 bedrooms, it is the perfect central base for a holiday in the South of France; close to the beautiful perched villages of Provence and in easy reach of the beaches and sights of the sparkling Côte d'Azur.