If it’s Friday, it must be France …
Wow! It was all happening this weekend … not just in Nice but all over France! So please excusez-moi for being a little tardy with this post.
Saturday was the biggest national
holiday of the year, la Fête Nationale, which is also known as le Quatorze Juillet and Bastille Day (although the latter is a term used more by people not in France, for some reason). It’s always fun to be in Nice for this holiday. It’s a great family time and the beaches are popular gathering spots here. Normally the beaches are busy at night too as everyone enjoys the fireworks.
After the horrific attack here two years ago on the 14th, remembering and honouring those who lost their lives has taken precedence over everything else on this date. I’ve been so touched by the sensitive and emotional homage organized last year and this. Fireworks have been dispensed with, out of respect.
Today the mood changed as France played Croatia in the final game of the World Cup. Horns have been honking all through town for the last four hours after France won 4 to 2 over Croatia. Flags are waving all along the Promenade des Anglais and cries of Allez les Bleus fill the air, as soccer (le foot as it’s called here) fans celebrate the win. It’s been twenty years since the last one!
July also means one more given in France ~ le Tour de France is underway! I’m in awe of these athletes. But even if you are not interested in the race, watching every day is a wonderful way to feel like you are taking a trip to France. The countryside and towns the tour visits are featured in a beautiful way. Here’s the map of this year’s course in case you want to follow along. I will! Click on the map for a larger view.
And to top off the weekend, I had to start packing! Our stay in Nice is over for this summer and it’s time to get back to Toronto. Normally I would be in serious whining mode now. However, knowing I will be back in six weeks to prepare for our women’s south of France tour, makes the leaving easier.
This past week was made even better with a visit from Nancy McGee, owner of Absolutely Southern France, who is co-ordinating our tour and my good friend and co-host on the tour, Deborah Bine (aka Barefoot Blogger). All the details are in place and we can’t wait to take this show on the road! Click here to read about the Memories Tour. 
Have you followed all this exciting sporting news? Did you celebrate le Quatorze Juliet? What are your summer plans? Are you coming on a tour with us in 2019?
You know how I’ll be spending my summer — following you in spirit, and loving it. Merci, gracias, grazie!!!
It’s always a pleasure knowing you are with us, Martha! <3
I felt a little bit more French this weekend, for sure, Patricia:)
True that nobody in France says Bastille Day. If we mention Bastille, we say La Prise de la Bastille. I heard Bastille Day for the first time in the U.S. I still say the quatorze juillet.
I’m not a huge soccer fan, but I was of course cheering for Les Bleus. I also liked the idea of a smaller team from a less known country to win. But as we say in French, “Que le meilleur gagne.” Looked like the French team was superior, but the Croatians were very good too.
I’m just sad to read about the excessive ‘celebrations.’ I was not that way in the past. Too bad.
But I was still happy to see that the victory united a very divided country. By the way my husband grew up in these challenging Parisian suburbs, so it was a cool thing to witness.
Enjoy France, Patricia! Bel été à vous!
I am glad you enjoyed the weekend that celebrated France, Evelyne. I loved the fact that so many people celebrated joyfully and peacefully and cannot understand the mentality of those who cause problems. What exactly is the point? I’m happy to say along the Côte d’Azur there was none of that … at least none I heard of. Just the wild horn honking and racing of motos! Bel été à vous aussi!
(Sigh) No more France posts for awhile? Dang. Oh well, I’ll wait patiently for the next trip.
Thanks for sharing part of your journey. I always enjoy your posts and lovely photos. (I think I tell you that every time, but it is true every time.)
Patricia Rickrode
w/a Jansen Schmidt
And I love hearing it every time. It makes me happy to know you enjoy them as much as you say. Especially when you are dealing with current health issues. I hope the photos are a good distraction. Keep dreaming, my dear friend! <3
I will be going back to France in six weeks, so I honestly am not complaining. It was time to come home and hug my family ... which takes quite a while with seven kidults + partners and 7 grandchildren. 🙂