Festivals & Fêtes

Vaucluse, the Lubéron & Mont Ventoux: Festivals & Fêtes

<< Roussillon || Music & Dance >>

Villages and towns seem to celebrate their traditions, harvests, and products practically every weekend, all year. There are literally hundreds of festivals, fairs and fêtes. The best way to find out what’s going on is to consult the local tourist office. Here are just a few that are fun.

Foire à la Brocante de l’Isle sur la Sorgue: A huge flea market held over the Easter weekend. As many as 900 dealers fill just about every street of the town, selling anything from antique counterpanes and furniture to pottery, paintings, games, curios. Serious collectors and browsers are equally welcome.

Arts Marathon, L’Isle sur la Sorgue: A wild 24 hours, the first Friday in July, during which visual artists of all kinds take over the center of town. A huge workshop on the river bank becomes the scene of non-stop creativity for painters, sculptors, graphic designers, creators of recycled art and photographers. Onlookers can see the work take shape – and sometimes join in the creative process. Time is up late Saturday afternoon, when the tired artists and contributors drink a toast and exhibit their work. Organized by Association 7ART, ☎ 33 04 90 38 67 31, isabelleetthierrysavini@club-internet.fr or inquire at the tourist office.

La Véraison, Châteaunef du Pape: Three days in August, the village celebrates La Véraison – the Grape Ripening – with a medieval festival. Costumed knights, lords and ladies take part in pageants, parades, public entertainments, medieval shows and feasts, under the authority of a costumed, medieval Pope. Contact the tourist information office for exact dates.

The Village Soups Festival, Vaison la Romaine area: In late October, 14 villages all around Vaison la Romaine compete to create prize-winning soups. Over 14 nights, villagers – ranging from grannies to teenagers to Cordon Bleu chefs – prepare soups for everyone in town. Competitions for the best soup in each village are held every night. At the end of the 14 evenings, the champion soup maker of each village competes in the finals at Les Journée Gourmandes (yet another food festival, held in November in Vaison la Romaine). Soups are judged by The Venerable Brotherhood of Voconces Louchiers (literally, “ladlers of Voconces”), but anyone can have a bowl in one of the many soup dining rooms – usually set up in village halls. Information about dates and locations from the Vaison la Romaine tourist office.

<< Roussillon || Music & Dance >>