Team Cargols, a Perpignan-based association seeking to promote the delicacy that is snail cuisine, cordially invite you to the first ever Fête del Escargot
The Procession de la Sanch, opens the celebration of “Semaine Sainte” (the Easter Holy week) in Perpignan.
The brotherhood of “La Sanch” (the blood) was founded in 1416 by Vincent Ferrier at the church of St Jaques in Perpignan, its origin to assist and accompany the condemned to their execution.
Coming from the French word terre for “soil,” the word terroir originally described the special characteristics of a region, or piece of land, which gave different varieties of wine, coffee and tea their individuality. (Soil, climate, position, regional 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……
Shake off the cold dark winter and welcome in spring with the bright, colourful, topsy turvy world of carnaval in the Pyrénées-Orientales
When Pélage II was carried off by the plague on February 8, 590, Grégoire was elected Pope. Rome was ravaged by the plague and threatened by famine and flood, so Grégoire organised prayers and processions to boost morale.
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.
Apart from the well known Mardi Gras, the nearest French equivalent to Pancake Day is the ‘Fête de la Chandeleur’ (Candlemas) on 2nd February.
This French tradition of serving a frangipane filled tart known as the ‘galette des rois’ (or the ‘gateau des rois’ in the South of France) on, or around the 6th January, (the first Sunday of each New Year) actually dates back to the 14th century.
I’ve just got back from lunch-time Collioure on New Year’s day where the sun shone from a china-blue sky, festive holiday crowds bustled, families and their dogs promenaded….