Carnival actually dates back to the ancient Greek spring festival in honour of Dionysus, the god of wine. It was a massive binge – a celebration of excess, and later the church, unable to suppress it, wisely adapted it instead to its own traditions.
Traditional Calçotadas take place In February and March. Down as many of these tasty onions as your tummy will allow, dipped in sauces and usually served up with BBQ, live music, sardanes……
This French Christmas character, the ‘whipping father’, said to accompany Santa on his rounds on 6th December, is fortunately no longer heard of much in French tradition.
Franco believed Sardane dancers were passing on coded messages with their feet!
The ‘Père Noel du Secours Populaire’ doesn’t hand out presents, he collects them.
History tells the facts – Art tells the story
What do wooden crutches, miniature boats and faint words scrawled on an altar have in common? Each one is a thank you to God or a saint for divine intervention.
Over one hundred years ago, Rudyard Kipling and his wife arrived in Vernet-les-Bains…
Les Inédits d’Amélie is becoming the must-see multi-arts festival in the Vallespir, and is back for a second edition on 25 and 26 August this year.
After over 10 years at Château Valmy in Argelès sur Mer, les Déferlantes festival is moving on… down to the coast to Port Barcarès.