festivals | A French Collection

Lyon: Must-See Places, Walks & Festivals Checklist

Jacobins Square and fountain in Lyon in morning light

Lyon - Must-See Places, Walks & Festivals Checklist

Lyon is France's third-largest city and is famously known as the country's capital of gastronomy with traditional local eateries called bouchons, and the legacy of iconic chef Paul Bocuse. Located at the meeting point of the Rhône and Saône Rivers, it's a city filled with historic sites, modern wonders and even large magnificent Roman ruins. The UNESCO World Heritage old town area is filled with narrow cobblestone paths, hidden courtyards and secret passageways called traboules.

As Lyon is geographically placed between the north and south of the country it's a perfect city for a stop-over on your journey. Even better, a dedicated stay at Lyon will allow you time to explore and enjoy the city's places, walks and festivals. Use our checklist to help plan your visit to Lyon with ideas and useful information, together with links to official websites with current opening times, more info and ticket options. Our post Lyon - The 6 Best Things to See & Do is a great article with our top 6 suggestions - all with photos.

Mimosa Festival in France

Fête du Mimosa at Mandelieu-la-Napoule

The Mimosa Festival celebrates the bright yellow fluffy flower which flourishes in February and brightens France's southern winter landscapes. The Côte d'Azur is ablaze with the fresh yellow glow of blooming mimosa which cheerily brightens public places and private gardens with its colourful bushes. This treat from Mother Nature is called the 'winter sun' by the locals and looks like a sea of yellow from January to March.

The arrival of its thick golden clusters of flowers which results in a flowering golden haze heralds the oncoming of spring and warmer weather, and is celebrated across towns in Provence. Forming a striking contrast with the vibrant blues of the Mediterranean, these evergreen trees with their bunches of fluffy, powdery, and fragile looking bright yellow small balls attract nearly 100,000 visitors each year.

Armistice Day in France

Armistice Day in France is a public holiday and day of remembrance commemorating the end of World War I. Known as L’armistice de la Première Guerre Mondiale in France, it occurs on 11 November annually.

I've written about other public holidays and national days of celebration in France, and the Remembrance poppy on Remembrance Day but not about Armistice Day in detail. Armistice Day is very important in France and our village and others all around us solemnly celebrate it. Here's more on what's Armistice Day, when is Armistice Day celebrated and what happens in France on Armistice Day.

Le Dîner en Blanc – French White Dinner

An intimate French inspired picnic with guests all dressed in white meeting at a secret location for an evening of dining, music and dancing is the Le Dîner en Blanc. Le Dîner en Blanc started in Paris by François Pasquier in 1988 and has taken the world by storm for those that love to meet new dinner guests, dine under soft candlelight and dance into the night at a public location in a place that is kept secret until the very last minute.

Toulouse – City of Violets

Toulouse is also known as the City of Violets

Violets have been cultivated in Toulouse since the 1850s and can be drunk as a liquor, eaten, or crystallised to dissolve in champagne and are proudly an emblem of this French city. This humble flower with its delightful fragrance and bold colour has also inspired the city’s nickname of ‘City of Violets’.

Toulouse is the capital of France’s southern Occitanie region, and is near the Spanish border.

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Annette Charlton

Annette lives with her family between their homes in France and Australia. She’s been featured in International magazines including French Property News, on numerous blogs and travel websites and appeared on ABC National Radio. You can connect on Instagram or Facebook.

www.afrenchcollection.com

April Fools’ Day or April Fish Day in France

April Fool's Day or April Fish Day

April Fools’ Day or April Fish Day in France

In many countries around the world April 1 is a day to have fun and play harmless jokes on your family and friends. April Fool’s Day or April Fish Day in France is called Poisson d’avril and it’s a day of pranks and chocolate.

Many jokes and pranks are from telling a story that is so ridiculous, but still has a chance of being true, and so is often believed. When the other person falls for the joke or prank the joker calls out “April Fool” and hopefully everyone sees the funny side and has a laugh.

Annette Charlton