In 1898 the Gompel brothers founded the ‘Paris-France’ company to direct their growing chain of department stores ‘Aux Dames de France’. The chain was a great success in several large towns in France.

From October onwards you’ll see ‘Rifles’ advertised everywhere you go in the P-O! No need to duck unless you’re talking “two little ones”! It’s bingo! In fact, all non profit making associations are allowed to…

The bright and varied colours of many of the houses in coastal Catalan fishing towns and villages (Collioure, Port Vendres…) began with the fishermen using up paint left over from decorating their colourful Catalan ‘barques’.…

Grub-ada The Catalan tradition for an “-ada” or ‘ade’ in French,  denoting a collective meal for many, and based mainly around a single ingredient, often creates some highly unusual, charming and community spirited festivals where…

The expression ’Llevant de taula’ literally means ’dessert’ – that which is placed on the table last, then taken away. During a ’festa major’, the Llevant de taula” is the means by which a village…

Aie aie aie! It is believed by some that “God Save the Queen” or ‘Grand Dieu Sauve le Roi’, originated in France! The British national anthem, it is said, was in fact written by Jean-Baptiste…