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What’s On in Provence, the Riviera & Côte d’Azur for the weekend of 18 & 19 Feb 2012


It’s Carnival Time …

Mardi Gras is on 21 February.  This is Shrove Tuesday or Fat Tuesday which signifies the beginning of Lent.  The carnivals – celebrating and feasting – begin on or after Epiphany or Twelth Night and culminate on the day before Ash Wednesday.  Shrove Tuesday is the last night for eating rich and fatty food before the ritual fasting of the Lenten season.  It is an important time in Anglican and Catholic countries.  In the UK, Shrove Tuesday is traditionally known as Pancake Day – when all fat, eggs and sugar are used up – and part of the celebrations include pancake races, which generally means running certain distance whilst tossing a pancake in a frying pan.

Down along the coast it is also lemon & mimosa time – sadly many of the trees have suffered from the cold, with many broken branches from the weight of the snow.  However, around Tanneron especially there are many mimosa forceries and the mimosa festivals are also in full swing.

Luckily for everyone, the weather has suddenly warmed up today after more that two weeks of snow and freezing conditions !


VAR

• Draguignan holds its carnival on Saturday 18 February, which coincides with the start of 44th Tour du Haut Var International cycle race.  The race starts at 12:10 & finishes in La Crox Valmer.  The second stage is on Sunday 19 February – Fréjus to Fayence
• There’s also a Mascarade Fancy Dress evening at JetLag Disco on Saturday night 18 February
• Saint Raphael is celebrating the carnival period with Fantaisies Carnavalesques – until 19 Feburary
• & has a Puppy & Dog show
• Hyères’s Au Cœur de la Mer exhibition and demonstrations for the public to discover the diverse marine environment until Sunday 19 February
• If you are a biker or just like motorbikes, there is the inaugural meet of the new MotoClub of the Paul Ricard Circuit in Le Castellet, on Sunday 19 February with various categories of racing
• If you’re missing Strictly, then there are some Show Dances in Lorgues on Saturday and in Sanary on Sunday by former French dance champions, that might be the next best thing
• If you love antique linen and textiles, the 9th Marché du Linge & du Textile Ancien is being held at Château Sainte Roseline in Les Arcs on both Saturday & Sunday

ALPES MARITIMES

• Mandelieu’s Mimosa Festival is celbrating animals – until 26 February
• Lemon Festival with floats covered in thousands of citrus fruits in Menton until 7 March
• Nice’s famous carnival starts today until 4 March – this year’s theme is Sport

BOUCHES DU RHÔNE

• In Marseille – a handicraft show Loisirs Créatifs & Déco Maison with everything you need to get you crafting
• a Swimming Pool & Gardens show unti 20 February
• an Eroticism Show
• In Saintes Maries de la Mer in the Camargue, there is a stunning show with horses and flamenco dancers in the Camarkas Theatre on Saturday 18 February

If you’re a tennis fan, it may not be too late to book tickets for next week’s Open 13 – part of the ATP circuit tournaments in Marseille.

There always car boot sales or vide greniers at the weekend.  Check to see where there’s one near you on Guide2Coted’Azur Vides Greniers & Brocantes


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