Until the French Revolution, Madame, (my Lady, equivalent to Monsieur, my Lord) was mainly used to address the bourgeoisie, whilst Mademoiselle, (my Damsel) was the form of address used for both younger and older ‘common’ ladies.
P-O reader, Peter Spencer, has unearthed the story behind the monument in Céret, commemorating artists that have been drawn to the area and have links to Céret and the P-O. Part 1.
Although its origins are a little hazy, many believe that the tradition of April Fool’s Day was actually born in France in the 16th century.
No need for a rain dance this year!
Any time is a good time to pack a picnic and head for the majestic Monastery of Sant Pere de Rodes that overlooks Port de la Selva in Spain.
A creamy, saffron-laced delight, perfect for a snazzy dinner party or just to enjoy a deux.
For thousands of years, large and cumbersome ‘racket’ snowshoes were absolute necessities to move around in snowy landscapes, to hunt, trap, communicate, discover and survive.
Love reading? Love the Pyrenées-Orientales? Why not combine the two? All of these books can be bought via the links or found in local book shops. Bonne lecture!
The origins of the name Marianne are unclear though many believe that, as, one of the most common names of the time, it was chosen to represent the common people.
Havaneres Named after the capital town of Cuba, La Habana (Havana), these sea shanties were brought back from Cuba by soldiers, sailors and expats in the 19th Century, originally to the coastal towns…