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Le Quatorze Juillet

What a weekend …

July 15, 2018 by Patricia Sands 6 Comments

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?

 

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Filed Under: Blog, France, If it is France..., Uncategorized, Writing Tagged With: Absolutely Southern France, Barefoot Blogger, France, La Fête Nationale, Le Quatorze Juillet, Memories Tour, Patricia Sands, weekend, World Cup

Le quatorze juillet – party time!

July 13, 2012 by Patricia Sands Leave a Comment

It it’s Friday, it must be France …

Bonne Fête de La Bastille! Bonne Fête Nationale! Happy Bastille Day! 

Every July 14 the storming of the Bastille in Paris in 1789 is celebrated throughout France and around the world by French ex-pats. A fabulous party is guaranteed!

This national holiday commemorates what is recognized as the beginning of the French Revolution. The Bastille was a prison and a symbol of the absolute and arbitrary power of Louis the 16th’s Ancient Regime. With this uprising, the people signaled that the king’s power was no longer absolute as they fought for freedom from oppression and the establishment of liberty, equality and fraternity.

The holiday celebrates the birth of the French Republic. In most communities, all kinds of festive events are planned for the day – including parades, dances, feasts – and  a bang-up finish to the evening with the kind of fantastic fireworks the French love!

Bastille Day Fireworks over the Mediterranean
Last summer we were living in Antibes and loved being right in the midst of all the festivities. This year trying not to whine we will be celebrating in Toronto … hmmm, not quite the same!
We’re living a little vicariously this July 14 as our youngest son (26) is in Antibes/Juan Les Pins and somehow we know he’ll be only too happy to party for us!
Bastille Day Fireworks over the Mediterranean
So whip over to your closest French bakery and load up on croissants for breakfast,  practise the words to La Marseillaise and get out the corkscrew to toast the day with some fine vintage French wine. Wherever you celebrate, I wish you a bonne fête!

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Filed Under: Blog, France, If it is France... Tagged With: Bastille Day, Cote D'Azur, France, French Riviera, La Fête Nationale, Le Quatorze Juillet, Patricia Sands, The Bridge Club, the power of friendship

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