The Centre Azincourt 1415 is holding a banquet. And this is no ordinary banquet. A medieval feast complete with entertainment…

The annual medieval banquet of Azincourt (though the British call it Agincourt due to a miscommunication at the famous 15^th century battle), takes place in July. In 2022 it will be held on the nights of 2 and 3 July at the centre.

A taste of history

Four courses of dishes, created with the help of food historian and culinary expert Fabian Müllers who specialises in medieval cuisine, will be presented. You can expect surprisingly spicy and herby dishes and sweet puddings. The wine made like the people of the middle ages would know it – red wine mixed with honey and spices. Fabian is the Director of operations at the Arkéos Archaeological Museum in Douai near Lille. He is renowned for his studies into medieval cuisine so you can expect a real taste of the past at the banquet.

Meanwhile you’ll be entertained by minstrels from a historical theatrical group. The perfect way to experience this ancient, historic site in the glorious countryside of the Seven Valleys, Pas-de-Calais.

Centre Azincourt 1415

The newly revamped Centre Azincourt 1415 aims to enhance and maintain the memory of the Battle of Azincourt which took place October 25, 1415. The museum presents a cultural and historical analysis of the battle. It also examines the events leading up to it. And what daily life was like for those caught up in it – both soldiers and civilians. It’s a fascinating glimpse into the past and a detailed look at the legendary battle.

And as you tuck into your medieval feast, you might just be eating what the Kings and Lords of the Middle Ages enjoyed, a taste of history…

Tickets can be booked via the contact details on the website azincourt1415.com

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Most people visit the Loire Valley for its stunning chateaux, wonderful vineyards, historic cities, gorgeous gardens and beautiful villages. But for something different you might like to pop to the Fondation du Doute (which translates as the Fondation of Doubt) in Blois.

In the shadow of the castle that dominates this town, you can’t miss the Fondation building because it’s unlikely you’ll have ever seen a façade quite like this. And, there aren’t many places where you’ll be able to gaze at Yoko Ono’s bum – but you certainly can here!

The only place dedicated to Fluxus in Europe

A colourful building covered in 316 metal plaques bearing the works of the last 30 years of French artist Ben Vautier known simple as Ben, 82 years young this year stands out. The Fondation du Doute was opened in 2013 and is the only place in Europe dedicated to the movement known as Fluxus.

Fluxus, explains the guide at the Foundation (you mustn’t call it a museum she insists), is an art form. It began in New York when a collection of artists agreed that “museums do not have the authority to determine the value of art”. They also stated that it’s not necessary to be educated to “view and understand art”. It’s a form of art that embraces humour, music and maybe a bit of anarchy.  Remember this as you wander the galleries of the Fondation because it’s really very different indeed.

A very eccentric art gallery

There’s a giant stone head reminiscent of the breakfast in Tiffany film but push your hand into this one and you’re likely to hear a grown with a distinctly sexual tone. The exhibition features a car door installation which bizarrely become an orchestra of hammering bangs – literally as forty or so car doors are clunked by hammers operated by small electric motors. A disconnected leg seems to be determined to kick a football that floats just above its reach, a rocking duck is a bit scary. It’s childish, naive, weird and crazy.

A piano next to a hay bale which bears a sign “for the piano to eat” makes most people smile. Picnics laid out complete with fag butts seem to create a lot of discussion and “whys”. This is art by madmen but it has an aim, that we all have the ability to be creative and to create art.

Take Yoko Ono’s bum. She took a photo of it which hangs on a wall here with more photos of bottoms including Andy Warhol’s. You can’t tell whose is who. “Is it art” I hear a lady ask looking at the neat row of bums and frowning. Well that’s the point in a way, art is different things to different people.

It certainly makes you think, it may make you smile. You’ll probably talk about what it might mean or if it means anything at all. If you like off the wall art you’re going to love this place.

Ben’s café on the ground floor is open to the public and is a vibrant hang out for budding artists. It’s very eccentric (think bath tubs as chairs and rude signs on the wall) but great fun and they do a terrific coffee and snacks.

If you’re not into modern art then this probably isn’t for you, but if you’re open minded, appreciate art with irony, humour and sometimes a bit of silliness you’ll going to love this place.

Check the website for Fondation du Doute in advance – it seems to be subject to quirky opening times too: www.fondationdudoute 

For more information on the area see: www.bloischambord.co.uk; www.valdeloire-france.com; uk.france.fr/

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The Aiguille du Midi is a 3842m mountain peak in the Mont Blanc Massif and if you want to get up close and personal to Mont Blanc and have a glimpse of the heavens, this is the place.

To get there you have to get the cable car from Chamonix which will mean about a half an hour drive from Saint Gervais. The cable car in itself is an experience and when it opened in the 1950s, it was the highest in the world. It still has the record for the highest vertical ascent (from 1035m to 3842m) so brace yourself.  From Chamonix, it goes via the Plan de l’Aiguille (2,317m) and then (without any support pillar) it swings across Les Pelerins glacier before going up to the Aiguille du Midi (3778m).  It’s the first leg of a heady experience.

A trip to Aiguille du Midi is not for the faint hearted. It’s an extraordinary place where two great wonders meet: nature, in all its rawest glory and engineering, in all its brilliance. You walk from the cable car via a small bridge to a platform wrapped round the tip (or the needle – aiguille) of the mountain peak, right up in the heavens. And there you have it, the world at your feet. Or at least views across the mountain tops and to Mont Blanc less than a mile away, and on a clear day, to the Matterhorn in the distance.

But remember… it’s cold up there, even in the summer, so go well prepared.

Step into the void

You’ll also find the “Step into the Void” skywalk at the Aiguille du Midi, which opened in 2013. In short, it’s a glass room dangling at 3,842 m and with a 1,000-m drop. From it, if you dare open your eyes, you can see the three countries of: France, Switzerland and Italy as well as dramatic glaciers. Not for those who don’t like heights but another amazing feat of engineering and apparently, the highest attraction in Europe.

Pop over to Italy

Once you’ve recovered from the void, in the summer you can catch the highest cable car in the world, from France to Italy. It’s 5km from the Aiguille du Midi to Point Helbronner in Italy and then there’s a cable car, that takes you to the nearest Italian village, La Palud.

Well why not. After all, exploring the mountains doesn’t have to be all about skiing and mountaineering.

www.montblancnaturalresort.com

When I went, a round trip to Aiguille from Chamonix was €60 which may seem steep – and let’s face it, it is! For a round trip to Italy, prices start at €89.00 but it’s probably the cheapest way to go by air! (prices subject to change)

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The flea markets of France are well known, but the biggest and many say the best in Europe and one of the top flea markets in the world is the Braderie de Lille, northern France. This massive market takes place annually and lures crowds of treasure seekers and bargain hunters from around the globe. I braved the hordes to discover unique booty in the cobbled streets of Lille…

Lille is the fourth largest city in France and Vieux Lille is one of the prettiest – like a miniature Paris it is filed with ancient buildings and is a cultural hub as well as a foodie’s delight.

Lille Braderie – Enormous Flea Market

The flea market takes place during the first weekend of September, starting at 14.00 on Saturday and ending at 23.00 Sunday – non-stop! During this time the city swells with visitors – more than ten times the population and the streets are vibrant with happy, browsing bargain hunters in a carnival atmosphere.

10,000 sellers line the streets, more than 200km of stalls and 33 hours of non-stop flea market action.

The history of the Braderie has been lost over the centuries but legend has it that the fair dates back to the Middle Ages. Local servants were permitted to sell off whatever their masters threw out and pocket the extra cash.

From these humble beginnings the Lille Braderie has grown to be one of the biggest flea markets in the world.

Antiques, vintage, quirky curios, collectibles, retro, contemporary and plain old rubbish – there’s a huge range here – well with 10,000 sellers there would be wouldn’t there! Bargain away as much as you like – you’ll find there are determined sellers who won’t budge a cent, families who’ve emptied out the attic and will let their old treasures go for next to nothing just to clear it and monsieur and madame who will offer you a plastic cup of wine to ease the bargaining process.

Top Tips for visiting the Lille Braderie

The streets are pedestriansed, trains into town offer cheap tickets, huge car parks outside the city perimeter are set up for park and ride travel and the metro zips you round the city. However the best way to get around is on foot so you don’t miss something!

Pick up a map from the tourist office in the centre at Place Rihours and head off on your search of a prize or two… or more and if you’re the type to want to buy more, take a collapsible trolley with you. Not all the sellers will have bags (sacs in French) so take a few – or like me, take none and walk through the streets with a large plastic pig and make everyone smile!

If you’re into a bit of nocturnal bargaining, take a torch so you can see what you’re buying – and the best time to bag a bargain is Sunday night!

Take a break and take part in a legend

It’s de rigeur to eat the signature dish of the Braderie, steaming hot mussels and chips – moules-frites. Over the years a legend has been created – the restaurants and cafés who serve this ubiquitous dish of the north pile your empty mussel shells in the street outside. At the end of the weekend the biggest pile wins!

10 brilliant places to eat out in Lille – from a Champagne bar in a converted 17th century convent to the restaurant of a top chef finalist…
The second hand book market in Lille – absolutely beautiful and also a place to dance tango under the stars…
3 great reasons to go shopping in Lille – 4000 shops for a start!

Lille Tourist Office for more details

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Re-live history on the French Riviera: Le Bal des Courtisans is a newly-formed club on the French Riviera, offering themed events to create an atmosphere of the grandeur of France at various periods during its history.  As an added interest, this includes dressing the part in period costume. It’s a great way for attendees to make new friends combined with the elegant ambiance of dress-up! 

American Kim Defforge who set up the group has long loved France, especially the Château of Versailles where she sponsored the replanting of a tree in the Trianon garden following the damaging storm of 1999. As a long-time member of “Les Amis de Versailles” (Friends of Versailles) Kim helped support renovation and restoration works at the historic chateau. Her connections led her to attend several splendid 17^th and 18^th century costume events in the Paris area. Kim fell in love with the drama and theatre of these events and decided to offer similar social revelries for locals and visitors in the Nice area. Voila, says Kim “Le Bal des Courtisans was born!”.

The club’s first-year events are being fine-tuned for 2015 including La Belle Epoque (The Beautiful Era) and Les Années Folles (The Roaring 20’s).  Although membership is not required to attend events, Kim’s goal is that with a growing list of members, the club will also increase the number and variety of annual events. Theme-related animations, as well as workshops will be on offer in the near future.

Kim has loads of advice about where to rent costumes and says the get-togethers will take place in and around Nice and all are welcome. This would certainly create a fabulous holiday memory with a difference and it’s a great opportunity for locals to have a lot of fun.

So, dress to the nines and strut your stuff in period costume to re-live history with Le Bal des Courtisans!

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Visit the Grandes Écuries, the stables that are home to the Academy of Equestrian Arts at the Chateau de Versailles. A unique show that is beautiful, moving and memorable, a wonderful homage to a French King who adored the “horse ballet” events that were a firm favourite at his court.

In the 1600’s, “Horse Ballets” at the court of Louis XIV were all the rage. The king always appeared dressed as the sun, furthering his image as the center of the French universe and most of the nobles at court were expected to participate. Allegorical themes were most often used…

Founded in 2003 by Bartabas, a tour de force of equestrian arts who first came to global attention with his production of Zingaro and the film Mazeppa, the Grand Ecuiries at the Chateau de Versailles is unique and incredible. Bartabas established the academy at the Chateau de Versailles based on his interpretation of what King Louis XIV believed were the ingredients to create a true equestrian artist, engaging in disciplines such as fencing, singing, dancing and music. Whilst Bartabas is a man of few words, should you cross his path on a visit you will find that he is a man of incredible vision and he has a talent for choreography that for observers completely transcends the rider/horse experience.

When I visited the show at the Château de Versailles was La Voie de l’Ecuyer. It was an avant-garde performance of the entire repertoire studied in the academy. The horses were beautiful and so were the riders who have honed their skills in the art of fencing, voice and archery. A performance here is simply incredible to watch and there were moments I honestly found moving because of the breath-taking beauty of it all. This academy and its performances are not so much about riding the horses as it is the true art of performing with them, horse and rider seamless – as one.

The academy is housed in the Grandes Écuries of the Chateau de Versailles originally built in 1679 and finished in 1683. These huge stables, as well as smaller ones known as the  Petites Écurie were created to house the Sun King’s 600 horses. Now there are around 35 horses from Lusitania, Portugal and Argentina housed here and to say they receive the royal treatment is a bit of an understatement.

The academy performs at  weekends in a beautiful 17th century hall that was refinished by French architect Patrick Bouchain. The arena is theatrical with Murano glass mirrors and lights and seats up to 500 spectators, lit by huge, serene chandeliers which give the show a haunting beauty.

After the show, I experienced a private tour of the stables and tack room, learned about the performance hall and enjoyed a coupe of champagne in the Salon Nuño Oliveira.

It is incredible that just 30 minutes from the centre of Paris is this stunning place which to visit is such a privilege. The behind the scenes team of the Academy of Equestrian Arts is brilliant and ambitious and the show is quite simply, magnificent.

Times, shows, tickets and details for Bartabas stables Versailles: www.bartabas.fr

Lisa Buros-Hutchins is a Paris expert and runs Your Paris Experience

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After travelling from the UK to France, the 2014 Tour de France French leg of the race began at Le Touquet on the Opal Coast and made its way for stage 4 across the beautiful countryside of Pas de Calais.

The 1100 vehicle Caravanne of promotional vehicles, team cars, media vehicles, catering trucks and police outriders followed by the 219 cyclists made their way through winding streets and cobblestone roads, up hills and down and through tiny villages like Hucqueliers.

Enjoy these Tour de France 2014 photos – the people, the crowds, the vehicles and the riders as they came through the little town of Hucqueliers in the Seven Valleys, Pas de Calais, northern France…

A last, the riders arrive, after an hour of fun, the throwing of gifts, the fabulous publicity wagons, the crowd cheering themselves hoarse, followed by an hour of excited waiting and anticipation… and 15 seconds later, it’s all over…

See The Tour de France circus comes to rural France
Tour de France logistics – UK to France

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There’s something about seeing a kite flying high in the sky that makes you feel happy. That liberated bit of material on the end of a line, pulling away and soaring up into the blue sky promotes a feeling of optimism and it’s easy to stand there and wonder what it feels like to be that kite, wheeling wildly over the heads of the people below.

Now if one kite can make you feel good – imagine what several thousand kites can make you feel like! My first visit to the World Kite Festival in France two years ago has left me with a vivid memory. I drove along the long boulevard into Berck-sur-Mer, a sleepy seaside resort on the beautiful Opal Coast about 45 minutes from Calais.  The long straight road was lined with pleached lime trees with no leaves (early in the year), a scattering of shops – boulangeries, cafés, bars and patisseries. Very pretty, very French… and then suddenly into view came the astounding vision of 20,000 kites floating in the sky above the golden sandy beach. All colours and all sizes – from tiny kites no bigger than a handkerchief to one of the biggest kites in the world at an astonishing 1250 m². Witches, an octopus, a giant Homer Simpson and an enormous lobster – kites of every description spriralling, plummeting, wheeling and circling, whilst on the beach thousands of enthusiasts watched enthralled.

It is impossible not to be moved by the sight of this magnificent aerial display at this, one of the biggest kite festivals in the world as hundreds of thousands of kite enthusiasts meet to enjoy the spectacle and the competition. And it’s all FREE.

The Kite festival takes place annually and every two years (even numbers) Berk-sur-Mer plays host to the International Kite Championships of the World. Over nine days from April 12 to April 21 2014 there will be 16 international teams, the best in the world, participating in this airborne event and putting their kites through their paces in displays of precision in set pieces. Creating aerial shapes requires total teamwork and an enormous amount of practice because being able to create a moving figure “Arc de Triomphe” on a windy beach without getting your lines tangled up in a 4 man team effort takes some doing!

The teams will also conduct highly choreographed kite ballet exhibitions in the sky, set to music and a most impressive sight – hoping to impress the judges as well as the crowds with their airborne skills.

The teams:  Air Rex (Japan); all-female Les Mademoiz’ailes (France), Air Zone Flight Team from the US; The Dealers (Lithuania), Cream Team from France, Win Sky Shanghai from China, Team Silat (Malaysia), Red Alert (Russia), Team CV Folie (France),  Team Atemoc from Colombia, Team Pan’Am Air (France), Team Evidence from the US, Team Flame (UK) , Team Bogota 2600 from Colombia, Team Start Air from France and the current world champions Scratch Bunnies from the UK.

Meanwhile on the beach there is an opportunity for visitors to learn how to construct a kite or how to fly a kite, enjoy demonstrations from kite flying professionals, visit the jardin du vent (wind garden) with all its weird and whacky inventions and watch Japanese Rokkkaku kite fighting displays (an ancient form of military combat by air). There will be aerial photography workshops, lots of exhibitors, stalls, bands, entertainment like puppet shows and face painting for the children. As Gérard Clément, one of the organisers of this wonderful event and Founding President of the French Kite Flying Federation says “The wind is free…Let’s take advantage of this! Come on, it’s a kite… Come on, it’s more than just a kite!”

The fun starts at 10.00h daily, the competitions take place in the afternoons and there are night time flying demonstrations and fabulous firework displays.

The Berck-sur-Mer Kite festival really is an exuberant event, great for everyone from families to couples and its free – like the wind!

Practical Information

By car via the A16 motorway, exit 25

This is a very popular event and parking will be signposted throughout the nine day festival (more details in the links below). Caravan spaces will be available but do check in advance to be sure of a space

Full details of accommodation, times for the displays and the full event programme from: Tourist Office of Berck sur Mer, 5 Avenue Francis Tattegrain, 62600 Berck sur Mer, www.berck-tourisme.com; website for the kite festival Berck sur Mer: cerf-volant.com

Read our interview with David Morley, member of World Champion kite flying team Scratch Bunnies

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The river Dordogne takes in many beautiful sights as it winds it’s way about 500 km through Auvergne, Limousin and several other departments to end in Bordeaux. In the Perigord Noir region of the Dordogne the views from the river are spectacular, with glorious vistas like the cliff top villages of Domme, Roque-Gageac, Saint-Julien de Cenac and the Castelnaud castle. One of the most magnificent places to view the river is at the Jardins de Marqueyssac known as the hanging gardens of Marqueyssac thanks to the way in which the plants and trees cling with tenacity to the steep slopes on which they grow.

Marqueyssac Castle Park is a remarkable place with a lemon coloured castle, built on the eve of the French Revolution with 22 hectares of gardens and 6 km of pathways – but it is the boxwood plants that grow here that make it so astounding.

Teased, Trimmed and Trained Topiary

Teased, trimmed and trained into topiary displays of undulating rows, box shaped lollipops, balls and waves, these ever-green shrubs create a true wow-factor view at any time of the year. This is a topiary display like no other you will have seen as 150,000 boxwood plants grow on the slopes – and have done for more than a century.

As anyone who has ever grown a boxwood cutting will know, the growth rate is of the order of a snail’s pace but here the boxwoods are so old that a few that have been left to grow wild and untampered with have reached the quite flabbergasting height of 10 metres – they are in fact boxwood trees. The majority however, although as old as these unusual trees, are pruned into groups, shapes and artistic artworks by the dedicated gardeners who do everything by hand with manual cutters.

Dotted amongst the displays on the southern side of the slopes are trees like umbrella pines, pistachio, strawberry, juniper and Montpellier maples. On the northern side are rural maple trees and holm oaks – those tall trees with dark foliage which inspire the title “Black Perigord” by which the area is known.

The gardens were the work of Julien de Cerval. He inherited the chateau in 1861 and, inspired by his time as a soldier in Italy, was motivated to create a formal garden with an Italian feel. The chateau itself is very pretty with its roof typical of the area – pile upon pile of tile slotted one on top of the other to create a covering weighing more than 300 tons! The roofing slates are found locally and have been used since the 16^th Century. Not far from Marqueyssac, near the medieval village of Donzenac the slate is produced to this day and in the quarry, soaring 100m cliffs have been carved by the workmen in their quest to cut out the slate over the centuries.

Follow the paths at the gardens of Marqueyssac and inevitably you will end up at the belvedere, a towering viewpoint overlooking the river and offering magnificent views over rocky medieval villages. Some of the walkways are steep – people with limited mobility should make certain to use the map that is available and shows which paths are suitable. Through arches, in and out of amazing topiary displays, a small maze, the routes of the hanging gardens are a riot of green of every shade and hue but nothing can prepare you for the view over the valley to the front of the gardens. The fields of green topiary balls, undulations, wiggles and boxes – the green shapes are mesmerising and as visitors round the corner and see the view for the first time you hear them say “oh” or “wow” – it really is that special.

Candlelit nights in the gardens at Marqueyssac

In the summer the gardens undergo a night time transformation as more than 2000 candles illuminate the shapes, throwing them into a magical, shimmering labyrinth of green contours and silhouettes.  The paths are lit with the twinkling, flickering glow of a myriad of candles bringing a fairy-tale air to gardens that are already full of enchantment. Every thursday night through July and August the candlelit nights take place, the gardens will play host to jazz bands, actors and musicians and guests can relax in the piano bar and listen to the Marqueyssac peacocks join in the singing…

At Easter there is a great Easter egg hunt, rock climbing, arts and crafts workshops, an acrobatic cliff circuit and a lovely tea room. These gardens are the most visited in the south of France and it’s easy to see why… magnificent Marqueyssac is stunning.

www.marqueyssac.com

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British Week in Le Touquet is a peculiarly French affair that celebrates everything British.

Le Touquet is the chic and fun seaside resort on the Opal Coast of northern France that was first created by a British entrepreneur a century ago and it remains positively Franco-British in its outlook. From the fabulous Belle Epoque villas with a hint of British style to the polo played on the beach, this is a resort that relishes its ties with its nearest neighbour.

In 2013 Le Touquet is holding a three week-long event called “British Week” aimed at both French and British visitors.

From its opening on October 12 to the sound of bagpipes playing traditional Scottish music, a concert by British chanteuse Jane Birkin, vintage car parades, street festivities, bands – with jazz, pop and rock and roll on offer, tours, dancing, art exhibitions and whole lot more, it’s an unforgettable and joyous celebration of entente cordial. Restaurants, bars and shops will be pulling out all the stops to celebrate the town’s links with the UK.

Some of the great festivities at British Week Le Touquet

This is just a little taster of what’s on – check the Le Touquet Tourist Office website (below) for times, details and a whole lot more with events every single day from October 12 to November 2:

October 12: The Paris and District Bagpipe band kick off proceedings. You may have seen them at the opening of the Rugby World Cup and you can be sure they’ll be just as passionate here in Le Touquet!

‘British Run’ takes place – based on the “Tweed Run” of London and Beijing, cyclists are encouraged to wear their most British garments – cap, tweed coat, bow tie, whatever takes your fancy for an afternoon of exploring the resort by bike!

October 13: Jane Birkin in concert in the town where Serge Gainsbourg got his break singing and playing piano in Flavio’s restaurant next to the famous Westminster Hotel.  Who can forget Ms Birkin and the colourful Serge singing “Je T’aime”…?

October 19: Horse Day – polo games, vaulting, pony rides and races. There will also be a grand picnic on the ground of the hippodrome race course and a chance to dress up to the nines!

October 20: A parade of great cars in the streets followed by an exhibition of British cars with drivers in period costume.

October 26 and 27: Moustache Days! A nod to British humour from our French friends as everyone from the kids to the old ladies are asked to wear a moustache. If you don’t have one at home – pick one up from the tourist office for a Euro.

31 October: Trick or Treat – a Halloween Parade through the streets.

We’ve only picked out a very few of the fantastic events that are being held during the three week-long “British Week” celebrations – download the full programme for lots more details and times:

Le Touquet Tourist Office website

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