Author
Promises to Keep amzn.to/2Sp8e68
I Promise You This amzn.to/2SgQud9
Katherine Price’s adventure in the south of France continues. Is it too late to change your life and recover your joie de vivre in your 50’s? Never say never!
All of these books were written while I was spending time in France in the locations you visit in the story. Let me take you there! No passports or packing required … just pure pleasure.
Bonne Fête à toutes et tous! The most important national holiday in France is July 14, Quatorze Juillet or La Fête Nationale. On this day, throughout the country, the French celebrate the start of the French Revolution in 1789 when the Bastille was stormed. It is now also an important symbolic celebration where the French values are celebrated: Freedom, Equality and Brotherhood.
Everywhere there are red, white and blue flags and people wear a rosette with those colors as parties are planned. Large tables are set up on the square of each city or village and music is everywhere, often beginning with a military band. Family gatherings can be found throughout the country. In the evening there is dancing, feasting, and controlled fireworks displays.
Since the horrific events in Nice of 2016, when a deranged man drove a truck into the crowd of celebrants with many fatalities, there are solemn commemorations of lives lost.
In Paris the day begins with a massive military parade, including the army, air force and navy, over the Champs Elysées towards the Arc de Triomphe.
La Patrouille de France, part of the French Air Force, is the first to launch a fighter jets’ fly over with a roaring sound, leaving red, white and blue plumes of smoke.
The parade is the oldest and largest in Europe and goes from the Place de l’Etoile across the Champs-Elysées to the Place de la Concorde.
In the evening there is a free concert on the Champs-de-Mars, ending with spectacular fireworks over the Eiffel Tower.
May July 14, 2023 be a safe and joyous day for all in France and wherever you celebrate.
Vive La France!
Thank you, Amazon! I always appreciate it when one of my books is offered on sale.
When I wrote The Promise of Provence, I had no idea it would turn into the long series it has. The reason that happened is thanks to readers like you who fell in love with the characters and wanted to know how Kat’s life changed after her home exchange in the ancient farmhouse in the countryside of Provence and then her second exchange in magical Antibes where a new life truly began to fall into place.
I was happy to keep spending time with the characters, meeting new ones, and discovering myself how her world was unfolding. It’s so satisfying to write about how life can change for the better at any age and that we are never too old to begin again.
I am working on Book #4 in the Villa des Violettes series now and hope to have it ready for you by December.
At the moment, through another promotion, A Season of Surprises is FREE for a short time! Bonus!
Bon weekend everyone!
May 1, 2023 by Patricia Sands Leave a Comment (Edit)
Happy May Day!
En France ~ Bonne fête du muguet! Bonne fête du travail! Bon premier Mai! Happy Labor Day! Happy first of May!
In many countries around the world, the first of May is a celebrated Labor Day. In France there’s a special twist to the holiday that I love.
I recycle this post every year because I don’t want to change anything about it. If you read it last year … or the year before , I hope you enjoy it again. And if you can find some Lily of the Valley to give to a friend, all the better.
En mai, fais ce qu’il te plait!
Provençal proverb ~ In May, do what pleases you!
Here’s my May 1st muguet to each of you.
Every May 1st I like to share one of my favourite traditions in France ~ La Fête du Travail or La Fête du Muguet. The day is a national holiday ~ International Workers’ Day, like Labour Day in North America. But more than that it is an occasion when people give little bouquets or sprigs or pots of le muguet (lily of the valley) to each other. Like so many of the things we love about France, the tradition has lasted for centuries. It began in 1561, during the Renaissance.
Click here to read an excellent article by Margo Lestz, about this sweet tradition and all the history behind it.
Here’s another post about the tradition from Kristin Espinasse, everyone’s favourite scribe of daily French life.
A few years ago, my husband and I had just finished a magical stay (but then isn’t it always?) in Paris and the Loire Valley. We were driving south to the Dordogne region on May 1st and in every town, big or small, this was the scene. Even on a drizzly day. I loved it!
Obviously, young or old, everyone puts a lot of thought into this tradition.
A vivid memory of that rainy morning, is of an elderly woman sitting under an umbrella beside her small stand of bouquets of muguets. It wasn’t an appropriate picture to take … and no time to stop in the midst of traffic … but I’ve never forgotten the image. Does this happen to you sometimes when you travel? Your eye is the shutter and a particular image is captured forever in your memory?
Le muguet or lily of the valley represents a porte-bonheur, a good luck charm, to special people in your life. I am offering one to each of you.
Does your culture or country have a special May 1st tradtion?
