August 15th – Time to Feast!
Place de la Fontaine, Venasque
There are twelve national public holidays in France. That’s almost one per month, but in May there are actually three of them! The next public holiday on the calender is 15th August.
The 15 August is celebrating the Feast of the Assumption which remembers the day that the Virgin Mary died and was “assumed” into heaven. Despite this being a revered Catholic day, for the holiday makers this is an excuse for nearly all the villages and villagers in France to celebrate with parties in the streets! To most French people and European tourists the 15 August “celebrates” the end of the holiday season and in many villages especially in the south of France, there are markets and concerts marking this day.
In Provence for example, Isle sur la Sorgue holds a major antique market that everyone seems to visit – an antique market bigger than anything you can imagine!! In the village of Sault in Haut Provence overlooking Mont Ventoux, they hold a large market and celebrate the start of the lavender harvest with lavender harvesting competitions with visitors using sickles to see who can harvest the most in a given period – this is the high point in the life of those living in Sault! In small Provence villages, like Venasque, they hold a local dinner that everyone contributes and shares in, as well as bands playing until late on the Place de la Fontaine. If you have something interesting happening in your village let us know about it?
But be wary also because on this day, as with other public holidays, strikes are common place, so be aware if you are relying on public transport. Strikes of course are another of the French pastimes, which I will need to write about at another time – should be a long article!
On this day remember that being a Sunday most shops will be closed, although there will be markets in the morning and restaurants will still be open for summer business!