France is the place to be during the summer.
Friday was La Fête de la Musique, a nation-wide free music festival of all genres on the first day of summer. Started by the French minister of culture in 1982, it has since spread to over 100 countries. The entire city of Saumur was out in the streets; down every alley some type of musician could be found and in every plaza a free concert. We ate dinner and crepes in a narrow cobblestone street shared with a French rock concert, and then we meandered around the city which had transformed itself into urban fairgrounds until dawn.
|
  |
| Salsa in the streets of Saumur |
 |
| The view from the appartement the night of the fête |
Sunday was La Fête du Velo when the city was closed to all vehicles besides bicycles. For two days the Loire was lined by bicyclists, and a vintage fair, featuring antique bicycles, took place.
 |
| A bicycle statue for the fête |
 |
| My friends at the antique bike fair |
The Tour de France begins the 29th! July 11 (for the end of Stage 12 and the beginning of Stage 13) it will be in Tours, a city nearby Saumur that I'm visiting in a few weeks.
Les soldes began today!!! Les soldes is a month-long season of extreme sales mandated by the French government on ALL merchandise. Stores are not allowed to have any other sales all year long except during this period mid-summer and also mid-winter (although they still have some special offers). All the women in Saumur were out shopping this afternoon. It is only the first week and the discounts range from 20% off to often 50% off, and the deals get progressively better throughout the season. Even some of the guys in our group went shopping aux soldes today.
No comments:
Post a Comment