8 October Retour des Alpages, Annecy, Rhône-Alpes. When Autumn returns, the cattle who spend the summer enjoying the alpine pastures are led back to the bottom of the valley for winter as its warmer than at the top. This transhumance is celebrated in the charming, historic city of Annecy every year on the second Saturday in October when cattle are paraded through the streets and there are artisans, craftspeople, local producers and traditional bands ready to herald and celebrate the changing of the seasons. www.lac-annecy.com
8-9 October Fete de la Crevette in Honfleur. The lovely port town of Normandy celebrates the crevette grise each year with a festival. Expect to sing-a-long to sea shanties, eat plenty of shrimp and fish and cheer on the contestants in a shrimp peeling contest! www.ot-honfleur.fr
10-16 October La Semaine du Goût. Across France – a celebration of French cuisine and a chance to learn more about the food we eat. www.legout.com
Get fired up at a pepper festival
29-30 October Fête du Piment, Espelette, Pyrénées-Atlantiques. The piment d’Espelette pepper is celebrated in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques in a town called Espelette. There’s a blessing of the pepper harvest and a food market plus lots of restaurants serve special dishes in honour of the pepper of course. The festival dates back to the mid 1600’s and it’s a lot of fiery fun! www.espelette.fr
1 November National Holiday La Toussaint/ All Saints’ Day. All over France pots of chrysanthemums are placed on graves as loved ones who have passed on are remembered.
11 November National Holiday Armistice 1918. Commemorative services will be held all over France in honour of those who lost their lives at war.
17 November Beaujolais Nouveau day. The new season’s wine arrives on the third Thursday of November each year, the festivities start at midnight on Wednesday for this serious drinking event. See what’s on in Beaujolais: Beaujolais Nouveau Fetes
Many Christmas markets start in November and we’ll be bringing you lots of info in the next issue The Good Life France.
Please note that events are subject to change - please verify details on the events websites.
Credit Shauna Jenkins Tomlin
Credit Janine Redman
Honfleur
Esplette