On parade

Cape et Épée 2012: Richlieu

At this time of year there are special events virtually every weekend - annual fixtures - local as well as further afield. Those 'must dos' if you fancy some French flair and a great day out. We managed to get to the Cape et Épée Festival at Richlieu for the first time this year. A bi-annual event in July, it's over both days at a weekend. Named after a certain 'legendary' Frenchman, Richlieu reverts to its 17th century roots with re-enactments, music, dance, theatre, fencing and horse-riding demonstrations. There are loads of stalls, traditional crafts workshops all to the period and on the Sunday, the day we went, the festival was brought to a close with a massive fireworks display. The atmosphere was just wonderful. The town was decorated from top to bottom and the 300 actors (amateur and professional) were beautifully costumed and played it all perfectly.

Le Marché Médiéval: Chinon 2012

Chinon's Marché Médiéval takes place every year on the first Saturday in August. There are two halves to Chinon. The newer and the older and it's the older part that hosts the marché. The marché starts about 10am with a costume parade round the centre of Chinon and then heads off into the older part of town, where the narrow streets are lined with flags and banners. There are stalls everywhere, wine tastings, craft displays and lots of entertainment. Courtyards that are normally closed are opened to the public. Eateries offering special marché menus are all over the place, usually with a traditional spit roast such as sanglier (wild boar), for the plat du jour. The day winds down around midnight with a firework display. This year we went at the very beginning. It was another gorgeous day and by 11am the town was packed. Met up with various neighbours along the way, so we walked around together for a while. Chinon was buzzing.

Le Marché à l'ancienne

Le Marché à l'ancienne - Chinon's second annual event  in August, takes place on the last Saturday. It's our favourite, so of course we went again this year. Very much a community affair, villages from all around Chinon participate in celebration of the traditional ways, associated crafts and professions that in many instances, continue to support the way of life in our region: farmers, wine makers, stone masons, wood turners, carpenters, ironmongers. As a result it is very well attended by locals and of course attracts visitors. An extensive parade launches the marché. This year crowds, several rows deep, lined the parade route, well before the start time of 9.30am. All the floats gathered, as usual, on the other side of the river and then crossed over the bridge into the centre of Chinon. Roads are always cordonned off so that the parade can safely make its way right round the town. Horse drawn floats mingled with old and contemporary tractor drawn floats, each one carefully decorated to represent an individual community. Older modes of motorised transport with passengers dressed to the period, followed on from early models of the pedal-bike. There were marching bands, traditional musicians, dancers and songs sung going back at least a couple of centuries. There were produce stalls in all three of the town's squares and through Chinon's central shopping area. Stalls offering workshops were arranged along the river bank, while old vehicles, transportation and agricultural, were carefully manoeuvered into separate viewing areas for closer inspection. A truly superb event alive with community spirit.