If you have seen the movie, “A Good Year” featuring Russell Crowe and based on Peter Mayle’s book, A Year in Provence, you will probably recognize the Place de l’Etang in Cucuron in Provence from one of the scenes in the movie.  I recently ate lunch at a restaurant located beside this village pond, as well as visited the wine shop at the Chateau la Canorgue film location in the movie.  (The chateau is a private, family residence and not open to the public.)  I even purchased a couple bottles of the wine “Le Coin Perdu,” which isn’t drinkable for a minimum of one year with 3-5 years being optimal – what a special souvenir from the beautiful film location of a lovely movie.

Movie trailer HERE

Place de l’Etang

Restaurant l’Etang

wine with rainbow

Escargot entree

Fish main dish

Cesar salad

Signs, signs, everywhere a sign…..  song by Five Man Electric Band HERE

Referred to as the jewel of the French Riviera with its panoramic sea views, villas, and luxurious surroundings, St. Jean Cap Ferrat also boasts the highest worldwide price tag for real estate property.  Video (in French) HERE

I have walked the coastal walkways around this peninsula, a site for peaceful and breathtaking landscape and sea views, several times.  So it was that I recently was invited to dine en groupe in the town center on the evening of the annual “Grande Nuit Vénitienne,” featuring a parade of costumes, flag throwers, musicians, and other masked entertainers.  Crowds gathered as the parade passed by (they make two rounds) and kids enjoyed their silly string battles – a fun & festive evening in a lovely setting!

(Watch Leonetti Business Services(LBS) Video below)

Tracy’s Top Ten Practical Tips for Moving, Living & Working in France

If you are reading this, it’s probably because you have a dream….. And that dream involves moving to France, living in France and maybe like me you want to set up your business in France. Well my dream became reality, but there were a few difficulties along the way ….

It’s a beautiful country, the language is romantic. Its well-known for the delicious food, the arts, La Tour de France and the wine is to die for and let’s face it who wouldn’t like to have more sun, sand and sea……But you know it’s also renowned for its difficult bureaucracy and time wasting processes. And over the years I’ve learnt that the only way to deal with this is to be PREPARED! If you’re not prepared, the dream can resemble a nightmare … read on …..

MY STORY – The Dream

Having travelled quite a lot, I finally decided to come to live in the South of France and was over the moon planning my trip. I revised my school French grammar and had a few lessons, so when I came to France in 1992, I had a relatively good level of French (or at least I thought I did!). The reality was that I couldn’t believe how difficult it was trying to make myself understood. Calling the electricity company to get my electricity switched on took me 5 calls! In those days Europeans needed work permits so waiting in line at the Nice Prefecture only to find out I had yet 2 of 10 another piece of paperwork missing was torturous. I distinctly remember trying to get a stamp for my envelope at the local ‘tabac’ and despite my numerous attempts to pronounce ‘timbre’, they just didn’t understand me.

I thought the language would be the least of my problems, how wrong I was – although I could understand them, they never understood me! Maybe it was my Yorkshire accent! What was supposed to be a dream had elements of ‘nightmare’ in there.

After having my first child, I received no child allowance because due to the time it took the prefecture to get my carte de séjour together, the limit for my back payments had run out. It was a crazy vicious circle that had me crying out in frustration at times!

So maybe you’ve already found your dream home and you are in the process of organising the move. If this is the case, you need to read on – allow yourself to gain time by benefiting from my experience and avoid some of the paperwork traps and more importantly get some help if you can’t manage.

The Reality

TOP TIP 1 – Your Paperwork

Make a List: This has to be the most important.

Bring all your official paperwork, birth certificates, marriage certificates, tax returns, driving license, medical files, insurance policies, social security cards. You will need these for the different processes in France. Ensure that your birth certificate shows your parental affiliation. This may seem obvious but so many of my customers waste precious time in certain processes due to not having a full birth certificate. For some situations you will need a translated birth certificate. A list of legal, sworn translators can be found from the local Town Hall (Mairie). LBS works with many legal translators and can facilitate this for you.

TOP TIP 2 – Setting Up Local Utilities

The French energy market is open to competition so you may choose your supplier. However EDF (Electricity) and GDF (Gas) do compete with the new arrivals on the market to offer a price and one where the price is set by the state (tarif réglementé). To prepare your move remember that for the electricity and gas you will need to inform them at least 2-3 weeks before your move, to ensure your electricity is switched on. There is a small cost for this.

English website: http://residential.edf.com/residential-55833.html

If it’s a new build then they may need to visit the apartment in which case if you call early enough, you can arrange this for the day of your move in. You will need to provide them with the 14 digit number on your meter or it can be found on a previous invoice.

You should also think about getting your telephone line connected and what internet options you need. The main operator in France is Orange (previously France Telecom) There are also many other providers on the market (SFR, Free, Numericable) offering similar all inclusive packages like Orange so you might want to do some research. For new builds you may not have as much choice of operators, at least for the first 6 months. They will want proof of your address for all of these so ensure you have your rental agreement ‘bail’ or your buying contract ‘promesse de vente’. Note that your Bank account will need be set up in order to get your utilities set up.

With LBS’s Clarification Pack, we can provide you with all the relevant information for your internet package and you go ahead and do the rest!

LINKS:
SFR: http://www.sfr.fr/#sfrintid=V_meta_part&sfrclicid=V_meta_part
ORANGE : http://www.orange.fr/

TOP TIP 3 – A Bank Account

Read the small print: If you are buying in France, you will probably already have a French bank account. Setting up an account isn’t that complicated but you would need proof of address so if this isn’t possible yet, open up a non-resident account. Also banking in France has a cost so do check out the different services the bank offers and how much this will cost you. Also think about savings you might make via currency transfer for either regular mortgage payments or lump sum amounts for property purchase – it can be huge.

Contact Tracy at LBS if you need a contact for this.

Note that going overdrawn in France is not tolerated, so you should negotiate an overdraft facility if you think you need this.

TOP TIP 4 – Health Cover

Be pro-active: Health cover in France is very good but it’s not free! Like any health care system, you need to pay into it before you can get anything out of it!! If you are coming to work for a company in France, your company should do all the paperwork with the local CPAM to ensure health cover for you and your family, managed by Ameli.

For more information from http://www.ameli.fr/

If you are setting up your own business in France, you will be entitled to health cover but this will be managed by the RSI (Régime Sociale des Independents). You can also find more information at http://www.rsi.fr/

For people travelling to France from one of the EEA countries & Switzerland, who are not working, setting up a business or who are not yet receiving their retirement fund, ensure you apply for the European Health Card (EHIC).

I would advise any one to discuss their options with their local NHS before leaving the country. If you need help deciphering your options, LBS can help you understand the process and the documents you will need with their Clarification Package.

TOP TIP 5 – Claim Child Benefit

Be patient: If you have 2 or more children and are a resident in France, you can claim child benefit in France. This benefit is not revenue tested at the moment (this will change in July 2015) and therefore, is accessible to any resident. It can be a long process but child benefit can be back dated up to two years for those who haven’t quite got round to putting their claim in yet.

Before leaving your home country, ask your local child benefit office for a letter certifying that you are no longer receiving child benefit for your children. You will need this for your application here in France and it will speed the process up if you have it already.

LBS has a 100% success rate for child benefit files! With the Compilation Package, LBS will check your documents with you, complete the applications forms for you and assist you through the follow the process.

More information at http://www.caf.fr/

TOP TIP 6 – Your Driving License

Drive carefully! If you are non-European, you have one year to transfer your license over to a French one. After that, you will need to take the French driving license. Before you leave your home country, ask your local driving office to give you a letter stating that your rights to drive are not suspended or cancelled and the year that your licences was given to you. You will need this for your driving license application at the Prefecture.

Since 1st July 1996, it is not an obligation for Europeans to change their driving license and you may continue to drive in France with your driving license. However France works on a points system and if you commit a driving offence where points would be taken from your license, it then becomes an obligation to change your driving license to a French one, so drive carefully! Driving license changes are done at the prefecture.

TOP TIP 7 – Car Registrations

Don’t wait too long: If you are bringing a car over to France, you want to consider the costs of obtaining the French registration ‘certificat d’immatriculation’ If you get stopped by the police without the correct registration documents you can be fined up to 135 euros, so don’t wait 2 years like a previous customer of mine and then be surprised at a hefty fine!

This process is taken care of the Prefecture and the cost can be a little expensive depending on the country of origin. You need to factor in the cost of the registration of the vehicle plus a pollution tax for it. For older cars, before leaving your home country, ask the garage where you bought the car or the manufacturer for a ‘Certificate of Conformity’, this is a document stating that your vehicle conforms to european standards. Also check your car insurance policy as most only cover up to 3 months abroad and if you have an accident in France, you may find yourself without cover.

If you want to understand the process better, contact LBS and the Clarification Package will help demystify it!

TOP TIP 8 – Obligatory Insurances

Shop Around: You need insurance for your house, car and health. If you have children, you will also need to take out school insurance to cover any injuries caused to other children whilst at school due to accidents. For car insurance, ensure that you have your no claims bonus from your previous insurance in order to get a better price.

Shop around; there can be a big difference in price from one insurance to another. Also if you need a few insurance contracts, you can negotiate discounts. In France if you want to change your insurance you will need to give a 3 months’ notice of cancellation, sent my registered letter to your insurance company. People generally stay with the same one, so take the time to find the right company for your needs. LBS can help direct you to the right agency.

TOP TIP 9 – Visa & Carte de Sejour

Plan Ahead: For non-Europeans the visa’s and work permit situation can be extremely frustrating, I know I have been there! So patience is needed. You really need to plan ahead for your trip! Think about applying for a long stay visitors visa. If you are unsure of what the process is, contact LBS who can help you finding the correct process in formation with their Clarification Package.

If you need to deal with the Prefecture whilst you are in France, some extra tips:

• Always smile

• Don’t use paperclips; they don’t like them for some reason

• Keep your file in the order of the documents they request

• Always be prepared to go at least twice to the Prefecture

• Translate everything

• Take originals of your paperwork

Some information can be found here: http://vosdroits.service-public.fr/particuliers/N19804.xhtml

TOP TIP 10 – Business in France

Get the right advice: There are many options in France and depending on your aims, each business model has its merits, but none of them are simple, except perhaps the sole trader (autoentrepreneur) model, which has lots of advantages but also a few disadvantages!

LBS has helped many expats in business and will ensure you get the right advice with our Clarification Package Or why not have LBS manage the set up for you with the Full Completion pack .

Lastly, PLAN PLAN PLAN!

It’s probably taken you a long time to find your dream home, so ensure that you take some time to organize your transition. Don’t waste your valuable time. Simply choose the package that is most suitable to you, and we will do the rest.

The 3 C’s:

Clarification – we help you understand the process and give you theapplication forms and off you go!

Compilation – we help you understand & complete all the documents for you

Completion – we go to the office for you or with you and follow your process through to completion

You will ultimately save lots of your time and avoid months of frustration!

Watch Leonetti Business Services(LBS) Video HERE

Contact Tracy Leonetti on +33 (0)6 59 04 01 51

Email : tracy@lbsinfrance.com

LBS website: http://www.lbsinfrance.com

Skype: Tracy.Leonetti2

Facebook: http://tiny.cc/r4cc3w

“Have you ever thought to yourself, “I’d love to learn a foreign language but I’m just too darn busy. If only I had more hours in the day…”?

I hear you.

Work life and home life are demanding, and those 24 hours a day won’t be getting any longer.

So when are we supposed to learn an entire other language?

I have good news for you. There are effective, surefire ways to make time for language learning. (Yes, even for those of you with the busiest of schedules!)

So sit tight and keep on reading, because here are my five best strategies to make time for language learning every day – and they actually work!”

Read more of this article:

5 Killer Language Learning Strategies Guaranteed to Help You Make Time.

One of the perks of blogging is that you meet some interesting and fun people!

I had met a great Canadian couple in Nice last year via Facebook, and they invited us to visit them this summer while they were staying in Goult.  I had previously visited Lacoste, Bonnieux, and Lourmarin, but so it was that we drove to the Luberon and had a long weekend visit and sightseeing stay with Teresa of French Provençal Touch with a Twist and her husband, Adam.  Gordes, Menerbes, Isle-sur-la Sorgue, Goult, and the Château de la Canorgue (the setting in the film “A Good Year,” which was based on the book, “A Year in Provence” by Peter Mayle) were our target areas.  Browsing through Goult’s annual brocante market and antique stalls in Isle-sur-la-Sorgue, enjoying the regional foods and rosé wines, getting to know our hosts, and even dancing salsa & bachata with the hostess in the courtyard (did I mention enjoying the rosé wines?) made for a wonderful and memorable stay. We can’t wait to make this an annual friendship event and look forward to visiting the Luberon again next summer with them – I should take my dance shoes next time, although they wouldn’t do well in the gravel!

Sainte Maries de la Mer, capital of the Camargue: an island known for its natural sandy marshes: home to flamingos, bulls, an white horses (ridden by “gardiens” in provencale colored shirts), pilgrimages, and flamenco music and dancing.

A good friend and I recently spent a girls’ weekend getaway there, enjoying nature walks and the town, as well as surviving one very windy day where the fine, silky sand blew sideways in the air, as we attempted a bike ride – it was so windy that we had to walk the bikes a few times, impossible to pedal against the wind!

The weekend provided tranquility: yoga on the beach, nature walks, walking on the beach, quiet reflection, as well as good food and browsing in the town shops.  Live “Gypsy Kings” type music was being performed in many restaurants, along with public flamenco performances.

We stayed at a B&B not far from the town center, the only downside being that wifi service was available only at an exterior picnic table, which we jokingly referred to as the Internet Cafe (not very convenient on rainy and windy days!)

The town’s “raison d’etre” is le taureau, with reminders everywhere – there was even a demonstation in the street of les gardiens rounding up some bulls into a caravan at the end of the street – historically, the Camargue is whole lotta bull!

traffic circle island

taureau, taureau, &more amp; taureau…

Restaurant recommendation post to follow – stay tuned!

Tourism Office website (in English) HERE

Who doesn’t love Paris!?  I was lucky to have lived there for a short time years ago – read why/how in “Solitary Desire – One Woman’s Journey to France” (available on most Amazon sites)

As in any city, it is wise to be city smart and aware of your surroundings, but according to Adrian Leeds, Editor of newsletters “Parler Paris” and “Parler Nice,” her experience of living in the City of Light as a single woman is summarised below.  When I lived alone and worked in Paris, I felt safe as well and observed the obvious cultural differences that she highlights.

“Let’s start with Paris and why Paris is great for single women:

1. Paris is safe. Women can freely travel alone at any time of day or night in almost any district and feel totally safe. This is a very big difference! Do you get into your car and lock the doors fast, like I used to do? Or never go anywhere alone at night for fear of the car breaking down somewhere you wouldn’t want to be stranded? And even in New York City where the subway runs all night long and there are people on the streets at every hour, do you still feel safe wherever you are? I doubt it.

2. Being alone in Paris is never lonely. You can dine alone, have a drink at a café alone, go to a movie alone…and never feel lonely or really ‘alone.’ In fact, being ‘alone’ is the best way to meet someone! Most North American cities are such family and couples-oriented places that being alone makes you stand out, particularly as a woman…don’t you think? And so what do we women do? We hang out with our friends — and that’s a tough way to let a ‘someone’ into the space you had, but filled with ‘them.’ “N’est-ce pas?”

3. Parisian (and most European) men respect and adore older women. Women don’t have to be face-lifted or tummy-tucked to look younger than they are to attract younger men, who see them as wise, worldly and more experienced. And young women can happily and openly choose to be with older men. Age is much less of a stigma for both genders when it comes to love and sex. Remember the article in the Washington Post February 2008, “French Women Don’t Get Fat and Do Get Lucky” by Pamela Druckerman? She wrote, “Just 15 percent of Frenchwomen in their 50s and 27 percent in their 60s haven’t had any sex in the past year, according to a 2004 national survey by France’s Regional Health Observatory. Another national survey being released next month will report that cohabiting Frenchwomen over 50 are having more sex now than they did in the early 1990s.” So, women over the age of 40…go out and buy some sexy lingerie because here you’re likely going to actually get some use out of it!

4. “Parisiennes” dress! By that I mean they dress provocatively on a daily basis and love it, without anyone thinking they are…what’s that awful word?…”slutty?” Being “seduisante” simply means “attractive” and that’s exactly what they are. At 80 years old they’re still wearing fishnet stockings and high heeled shoes. You’ll see more skirts on their hips than pants so they can show off their shapely legs. And I’ll bet you’ll notice more older women braless than you’ll ever see on the other side of the Atlantic. “Quelle horreur!” Sure, they aren’t as ‘perky’ as they used to be, but who cares?…Not the men who are enjoying them!

5. Paris gives you self-confidence. With all these positive aspects on your side, you’re sure to feel more independent and more self-confident about who you are, both as a woman and as a person. And let me tell you something: that’s sexy as hell. Nothing is less attractive than neediness. So, even if you wanted to be ‘alone,’ you’re not likely going to be that way…at least for long! And you can live that way happily the rest of your life…single and happy to be that way.”

(Source/credit:  Adrian Leeds Group)

While long weekending in the Camargue, I was given the name of an excellent restaurant by the owner of the B&B where I was staying, who knew the owners and the quality of their local fare. And so it was that I ate at Le Fleur de Sel, not one but two evenings!

A gastronomic delight with excellent, friendly service:  Chef Alexandra spontaneously created a two-course vegan dish for my friend, while I enjoyed the menu fixe – un regal!

Fleur de Sel restaurant

Entree/Appetizer Legumes Craquants

Veggie plate/Main course

Fish dish/Queues de lotte roties

Dessert trilogie

Posted on November 15, 2015 by Best of Nice Blog

The 21st annual Provence Prestige show opens Thursday November 26 at the Palais des Congrès in Arles and runs through Monday November 30.

For more information: Provence Prestige is Nov 26 to 30 in Arles

At midnight – No, at one past midnight on the third Thursday of November, Les Beaujolais Nouveaux sont arrives!  A recent lunch was at a small cafe/restaurant, “Mets Vins Chics,” in Eze Bord de Mer (not the village of Eze) to try out this year’s harvest – a surprising delight full or body and taste.  We enjoyed an apero and a leisurely lunch, basking under the sunshine and warm temperature, and enjoying a sea view – not bad for mid-November on the French Riviera.

• Some EU lawmakers want to stop subsidizing those farmers who raise bulls for fighting.  Critics say the sport is cruel and archaic and that budget appropriations should not be used to finance a blood sport.  Animal rights campaigners welcome this attempt which seems to have a better chance of passing than when it was suggested in the past.  The interest in bullfighting has waned in recent years.

• UNESCO listed the historic vineyards of Champagne and Burgundy as a World Heritage Site on the 4th of July.  Champagne’s rolling hills in the north of the region contain some of the most expensive agricultural land in Europe.  In Burgundy, the uniqueness of the Côtes de Nuits and the Côte de Beaune south of Dijon was noted.  The ‘Grand Crus’ from this region are some of the most expensive.  France now has 41 World Heritage sites.

• The Musée Rodin reopened to the public on November 12 after extensive renovations.  Over 300 precious works of sculpture are on display.  The Museum is open daily from 10AM to 5:45PM, on Wednesdays until 8:45PM and is closed Mondays.

• The Grand Palais in Paris is the venue Picasso Mania an exhibit that looks at Picasso’s career chronologically and features works from the Musée Picasso, the Musée National d’Art Moderne and the artist’s family.  Until February 29, 2016.  The museum is open daily 10AM to 10PM, and Sundays and Mondays until 8PM.  It is closed Tuesdays.

• The wild boar population has exploded in France in recent years despite efforts by hunters.  The boars (sangliers) number over 2 million in France alone, invade suburban gardens and villages, and wreak havoc on farms.  They are the cause of over 60% of the 40,000 car accidents involving wild animals each year.  When driving in France, take notice of signs indicating deer crossings, and most especially those through wooded areas indicating wild boars.  The boar will not sustain as much damage as the car that hits him!

• Bordeaux wine producers are ecstatic over their magnificent 2015 harvest.  This largest wine-producing region in France blends Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon to produce their world-famous blended wine.  Commenting on the dark juice and great flavor, they predict that 2015 will be a great vintage. They compare it to the vintages of 2005 and 2010, with one vigneron saying that all those years ending in 5 have been superb.  Increased yields were in other western regions of the country such as the Loire and good news for the vintners.  Weather was not as good in the Burgundy and Beaujolais regions with a heat wave that led to a sixteen percent drop in the harvest.  [credit: Agence France Presse]

• Le Mont St-Michel was originally known as Mont Tombe and located on the now famous island in La Manche.  Christianity spread to this region around the fourth century, and by the mid-sixth century it had a strong presence in the area.  By that time, Mont Tombe was populated by religious devotees: hermits ~ probably some Celtic monks.  Benedictine monks were installed at the Abbey in 966, and today Le Mont St-Michel is the second most visited tourist attraction in France and a UNESCO World Heritage site.

• The Tour de France in 2016 will begin in le Mont St-Michel in Normandy, proceed south through the western Loire (Stage 4 from Saumur to Limoges is 232 kilometers and the longest leg of the Tour) into Aquitaine and cross the Pyrénées into Andorra ~ about the halfway mark ~ where there is a rest stop.  Riders will return to the Tarn département, go on through Languedoc and into the Vaucluse département of Provence.  From there, it’s north through the Rhône-Alpes, and the cyclists will head for Switzerland where they will have a break from the Tour in Berne.  The next three stages will be in the Alps to Mt Blanc, Albertville and Megève, then turning north to end in Morzine on July 23.  The cyclists will be flown to Chantilly, north of Paris, for their final ride on the 24th to Paris and the Champs Elysées.

Credit/Source:  franceonyourown.com news

Solitary Desire Video Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xG_YTa5sDac

Both books available on major Amazon sites

English/French captions in E-book format only (ages 2-8)

REBLOGGED from blog at http://www.loumessugo.com

Christmas on the Côte d’Azur is full of fun, often full of good weather and probably a great deal more festive than you might think.

Christmas Markets

Most towns in the area will have some form of Christmas market, perhaps with a theme, usually only for a day or two and nearly always in the month of December, not before (though there are some exceptions).  Here are some of my favourites

Aix-en-Provence:  the earliest market in the area.  It runs from 19 November – 27 December in the Cours Mirabeau consisting of regular chalet-style stalls selling everything and anything (gift based). There is also a separate market for the traditional 13 desserts of Provence on the 18-24 December in Place François Villon – Les Allées Provençales.

Le Rouret:  another November market, this time just for one day on Sunday 29 November.  Le Rouret Christmas market is billed as “pure tradition” in the sense of past times/olden days and differs from many others in that it focuses on traditional artisanal crafts with displays of past trades and people dressed up in period costumes.  You won’t see much plastic tat here but you will find a lot of lovely produce and live farm animals for children to pet.  I’ve written about it in detail here.  My advice is to go early, it gets very crowded and parking can be a problem.

Valbonne:  one of my favourites, Valbonne Christmas market isn’t a “chalet” market, rather the streets of the old village are filled with market stalls just like every Friday morning but more of them, more christmassy and longer lasting.   To get into the Christmas spirit there’s nothing like a wander around this market followed by a drink in the square and a mosey around the seasonal show by the church, town hall and river.  Over the last couple of years this has been an incredible display of fire and lights.  This year’s programme is not out yet, but it’s sure to be good.  The market stays open in the evenings while the shows take place.  This year the festivities are from 20-24 December.

Nice:  the Christmas market is a classic affair of wooden chalets selling Christmas trinkets, jewellery, food, crafts, clothing and other gifts.  It is normally held in Place Massena where you’ll also find the Big Wheel, a children’s area of trampolines and bouncy castles, usually a merry-go-round shaped like a Christmas tree, oyster and champagne bars, vin chaud and a skating rink. (However this year due to the current security issues it will be within the gated section of the Jardin Albert 1er and I’m not sure about the children’s area, best to check online before going and I’ll update when I know).  The views from the giant ferris wheel are lovely and the atmosphere is always very festive here.  The theme this year is “traditions and folklore” and it runs from 5 December – 4 January.

Monaco:  the Christmas market on the port usually has a food theme with plenty of chalets serving delicious seasonal and festive food from around the world.  There’s also a big wheel here along with a small fair for children and the wonderful skating rink.  The market is open from 4 December – 3 January.

Roquefort les Pins:  my town of Roquefort has its own festive celebration showcasing Christmas around the world at its annual “Noëls du Monde”.   A quarter of the population of the town is foreign and to honour this countryfolk from places as diverse as Poland, Peru, Holland, Haiti, Australia, Italy, Sweden, UK, Lebanon, New Zealand, South Africa and more come together to share their Christmas traditions with food, crafts and other specialities.  This year it takes place on 12 December.

Decorations & Illuminations

Lucéram:  one of the highlights of Christmas on the Riviera has got to be visiting the lovely perched village of Lucéram to see the display of hundreds of Nativity scenes (creches/cribs).  It’s so very different from regular town Christmas decorations, unique and wonderfully festive.  This year the village is decorated from 1 December – 6 January.

Nice:  Nice’s Christmas illuminations are always pretty good centering on Place Massena and the water mirror/fountains in the Promenade du Paillon, the streets around Massena, Ave Jean Medecin, Place Garibaldi, the Promenade des Anglais and around Cours Saleya.  There’s always a giant Santa opposite Lenval (the children’s hospital) on the Prom for the poor kids in hospital over the festive season to look out at and several large postboxes dotted around town to send Christmas wish lists to Father Christmas.

Shows, pantomimes and carols

The Nutcracker (Casse Noisette) by l’Opéra National de Russie at l’Acropolis Nice, 10 Dec, 8pm

The Nutcracker by The Royal Ballet live cinema screening at CIV cinema 16 Dec, 8.15pm (to find out more about live CINEMA screening and to be in with a chance of winning tiickets click here). Primary school children FREE.

Troïka sur Glace, ice skating show with a Russian theme, Monaco Port, 20 Dec, 5.30pm.  FREE.

Valbonne Christmas fireworks and light show – I’m just guessing here and will update as soon as the information becomes available but usually there’s a great spectacle on the lawn between the Mairie and church every evening that the market is on.

Sleeping Beauty panto in English 1^st performance 15 Dec Chateauneuf-Grasse then many more shows through December.

Carol Concert by Riviera International Singers, Antibes Cathedral  4 Dec,  7.30pm in aid of the Antibes Lifeboat, and  at Valbonne church 10 Dec 8pm + 12 Dec 6pm (Valbonne church has heated pews, this is a luxury I’d never come across before living on the Côte d’Azur!)

Big Blaze Chorus Winter Concert, Holy Trinity Church Cannes 3 Dec, 7pm

Christmas Concert by Sweet Seven, Valbonne church 6 Dec, 5pm.

 Skating

Skating at outdoor pop-up rinks has become an integral part of Christmas fun in many places around the world and the Côte d’Azur is no exception.  My family love the rink at Monaco (the pool on the port is transformed into a rink for 3 months every winter). Skating to the backdrop of sailing boats and super yachts under a bright blue sky in mid-winter is an unbeatable experience!  (It’s also rarely crowded, you aren’t limited in time and you don’t have to book.)

Patinoire à ciel ouvert Monaco Port, open every day from 4 Dec – 28 Feb except 20 Dec.

If you want to have a mountain experience, hopefully surrounded by some snow, the pop-up rink in Auronis rather lovely.  Open every day from December to the end of March (weather permitting).

Nice Place Massena, 5 Dec – 4 Jan every day from 11am – 8pm (sessions of 90 mins).

 Santons

If you’re after something typically local to Provence and traditional at Christmas then do take a look at Santons.  These are clay figurines that come in many different shapes and sizes from standard Nativity scenes to more original characters from village life.  They are used to decorate houses at Christmas time and are available at most Christmas markets and at special fairs “Foire aux Santons” in a number of places.  They are highly collectable and make great gifts too.

Here are the dates and locations of some Foires aux Santons on the Côte d’Azur and nearby.  The biggest and best is further afield in Marseille.

Mouans-Sartoux 13 Nov – 24 Dec, Mediathèque La Strada

Aix-en-Provence 29 Nov – 30 Dec, Espace Cézanne, Allées Provençales

Valbonne 13 Nov – 24 Dec, Salle paroissiale (church hall) next to St Blaise

For a very thorough programme of festivities in the Alpes-Maritimes check & pay attention to the dates as some information hasn’t been updated for 2015!

Joyeux Noël Charlie Brown Video HERE

(25 minutes in length)

JOYEUSES FETES de 24/7 in FRANCE !

Traditionally, housewives would spend the weeks preparing the festive feast. Christmas markets in France developed to supply them with the ingredients.

Source/Click link: Christmas Markets in France