Events in France

Each year at the strike of midnight on the third Thursday in November the long awaited Beaujolais Nouveau is released. Throughout the Beaujolais region there are over 120 festivals to honor the arrival of this young wine. Even if you can't make it to this part of France any local French restaurant or wine shop with have a bottle for you to try. It is a young light red wine that makes great holiday gifts.

Each year the people of Avignon celebrate the beginning of winter with the traditional St. Andre Fair in the streets of the town. There are many tasty local foods to sample, like Papalines liqueur chocolates or fragrant goat’s cheese. If you have some extra cash with you pick up some fresh truffles, but they might set you back a bit. You can also find all sorts of arts and crafts too, including local pottery and every kind of Provencal print imaginable.

Each year Paris is transformed into a temporary forest of Christmas trees which are displayed along its boulevards, throughout its quarters and dotted amongst its official buildings. This is organized by the Ministry of Parks; it is their job to put the French capital in a festive mood. They setup over 1000 fir trees in the capital. Some are covered in artificial snow; others are decorated with Christmas baubles and lights. It’s a truly magical effect.