Another long weekend has passed in France - this time it was La Fete de la Transhumance, which is particularly celebrated in my village of Saint Remy de Provence. Pentecost Monday is the day when sheep and goats begin their journey into the mountains and to greener pastures - by the end of May the heat starts to intensify in Provence and the feed begins to dry off. Traditionally it was a ten day journey on foot but nowadays they are moved by trucks.
Before they leave and as part of the celebrations nearly 3000 sheep, goats and donkeys are herded into the centre of the village and paraded around the town not once but twice. As as Australian did I ever think I would stand amongst a crowd and watch sheep running around the town streets? Not a chance.... I have always avoided this fete and found a million excuses to stay home as watching thousands of bleating 'baa baa' is not exactly my thing but I stand corrected. I went, I watched and ...loved it.
It wasn't the sheep that held my attention but the locals who had turned out to cheer the farmers and herders off on their summer journey. Fiercely proud they hugged the curbs - young, old and all in between - waving, and clapping them on their way. Enthusiasm is so infectious....even if it is for sheep!
And as it was a long weekend there was the chance for other watching, that is movie watching. We had the perfect guests this past weekend - they loved La Fete de la Transhumance and a good movie. The ideal mix really - a good shot of local culture in the morning followed by a heavy dose of entertainment in the evening.
One of the best films ever - that is if you like detective stories, fast action and a smattering of intrigue - is 36 Quai des Orfevres, starring Daniel Auteuil and Gerard Depardieu. (Don't these guys always make an appearance in most good French movies?)
And if you don't feel like concentrating too hard Comme les Autres is a totally different kind of romantic love triangle - not starring Daniel Auteuil and Gerard Depardieu but some other lesser known actors. This is a light, frothy and oh so French - le film coup de coeur du public - film that has captured the public's heart.
I am afraid the sheep won't be out and about parading until this time next year but you could always watch these movies in the meantime, xv.
I love how a village will come together for these events-really heart-warming. Thanks for the movie picks. My husband will love the first and I the second.
ReplyDeleteHello,
ReplyDeleteI love your blog. I hope that one day I will be living in a French village like yours. This seems to be such a great event. And thanks for the movie recomemndations. I love French movies, will definitely watch both of them. Thanks!
What a charming local celebration! Thanks for the movie recommendations. I may have to pass on the thriller but I will add Commes Les Autres to my queue.
ReplyDeletej'étais au café des Arts!!!
ReplyDeletebonne journée Vicki.
manon
That is some community/town spirit you have there! Sounds like a wonderful weekend, Vicki!
ReplyDeleteIt sounds so funny. Yes, I couldn't have imagined you there cheering on sheep but it's always good to do the unexpected. Both movies sound good but 36 sounds wonderful. I will keep my eye out for it.
ReplyDeleteHow fabulous is everyone coming together, looks like something you will remember forever!!!
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed seeing your photo of the sheep etc. in St Remy....mainly because I know exactly where it was taken.....I have taken many photos of the cute little carousel in the back of the photo. You certainly do live in a wonderful part of the world!!
ReplyDeleteWhat fun! I wish I'd been there for the running of the sheep.
ReplyDeleteI guess I'd loved the transumance (transumanza in Italian) fete!
ReplyDeleteLucky You, living in a city we compleely lost rural habits.
Anyway today here is the Italian repubblic holyday...even if we have Mr. B.
Ciao
Massi
To have along week end in Provence...I too would have gone but, I would go for the sheep. I moved from my country home to my husbands suburbin home, having to sell my farm yard friends. Oh I miss the country life. What we do for love.I think I'll watch Comme les Autres.
ReplyDeleteHi Vicki,
ReplyDeleteI just want to know what shoes you wore??? Sounds like a hoot and now an annual event for you. How will you top that this week!
It's sometimes the best feeling when you go along and then finding yourself loving it! Love the photos Vicki
ReplyDeletexo Noel
Oh, that sense of community! And everyone seems so joyful! What fun to catch that spirit. Have a great week!
ReplyDeleteSounds like it would be an interesting time. I love sheep and goats, so I would probably go just to see them all.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the movie recs, Ive been trying to find some new ones to watch.
Aren't our preconceived ideas on subjects funny? Glad you enjoyed yourself.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the movie recommendations. Depardieu is one of my favorites.
How sweet the sheep are! Maybe someday I'll be there to see them! :) KIM
ReplyDeleteWhat fun, sounds like a great week-end x
ReplyDeleteSande, LOL
ReplyDeleteI am no farm girl when it comes to footwear - as a nod to practicality I wore ballet flats!!! xv
I would love this festival! Thanks for mentioning this new Depardieu movie. He is my favorite actor and I love detective stories so this made me excited. Thanks for writing about this festival - I never heard of it before.
ReplyDeleteCatherine xx
My grandparents lived in a small farming village and it was wonderful to see how close everyone was. It really was like one big, extended family.
ReplyDeleteI am definitely going to pick up a copy of Comme Les Autres for our next DVD night.
I wish I were there you! I would have loved to be in that crowd! I wish, I wish, I wish I lived there too!
ReplyDeleteXOX's
There are some traditions that seem rather out of place in today's world, aren't there Vicki? And yet it shows how important these rituals through life were for so many generations and it's good that they can still be appreciated.
ReplyDeleteI just joined Netflix so that I can rent all of these fabulous foreign films! We just watched The Diving Bell and The Butterfly on your recommendation....heartbreaking and amazing! Can't wait to see the others you have mentioned.
ReplyDeleteThere is something so special about an entire town turning out for an annual event - glad you joined! And I can't wait to watch Comme Les Autres.
ReplyDeleteWhat an amazing event! I never heard of a celebration for sheep before.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing this wonderful story.
Hugs,Rose
Wonderful photographs and such fun as the whole village turns out for these events. I experienced my first annual sheep fair in Corby Glen, Lincolnshire. after living in London my whole life, it really was a wonderful experience :-) Kathy.
ReplyDeletethis was great and thanks for the movie ideas too...I adore Gerard!
ReplyDeleteHi Vicki, I am so glad to read you blog, that sounds like a great festival, I found out that there are so many long weekends in France in May and June, Mr. Margie is still in Canet with friends and I am suffering from serious withdrawl from France illness, we spent two weeks in Rivesaltes for Mel and Chris's wedding, a wonderful time for our family and friends. I am back home and back at work. While the weather is sunny here, the ambiance is absent. Thank you very much for your blog it really is the best medicine, hugs Margie.
ReplyDeleteIsn't is amazing how we quite often enjoy these things that we have put off participating in. I am sure you will be there next year cheering them on.
ReplyDeleteAlison
as long as no one is hitting the sheep i think i'd be all about it! i love farm animals.
ReplyDeleteIf its something I've never done , thats a bit off the track...I'm there!!!
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like a ton of fun for kids and kids at heart.
Glad you had a stellar day 7 thanks for movies..I'll add them to my netflix queue. I'm a sucker for subtitles.
Merci!!!
36 looks like a great film. I like all three actors. Adding it to my list, thanks!
ReplyDeleteSuper post Vicki! I can just see your guests talking afterwards about their weekend spent with the Archer family. 'Lovely & most generous hosts, great food, superb wine, wonderful movies, but mon dieu, what is it with them & those *!#*?! sheep!'
ReplyDeleteMillie ^_^
How perfectly charming. Like a "Bon Voyage" for sheep! I wish them all a lovely summer holiday!
ReplyDeleteAnd thanks for the movie suggestions!!
Hi Vicki,
ReplyDeleteLove this entire post! You made my heart go pitter patter (sp?). Anything with Gerard Depardieu and I'll be there. The other movie sounds wonderful, I will check it out too (right after Gerard). As far as watching sheep, I agree it would be a lot of fun especially watching my Great Pyrenees thinking he's one of their family. Great week to you, thank you for the movie tips for this weekend (off to order ;)
~Tracie
i love your movie recommendations. i'll be sure to check them both out. have you ever heard of a movie called "The Chateau"? i think you might like it. it's about two American brothers who find out they've inherited a chateau, and the staff of the chateau do everything possible to scare both brothers away. it's very funny (and with two actors from the movie "the 40 year old virgin").
ReplyDeleteLove celebrations! I am excited about both of those movies. Just saw Shall We Kiss. Interesting....
ReplyDeleteJust came across your blog and love it! will make sure to follow.I am from the Southwest of France and works and live between LA and New York and am looking for a small house around Saint Remy, Aix or Gordes. I go to Avignon often for work and become more and more drawn to the small village life. You have the best of both world Autralia and provence
ReplyDeleteVicki this brings back memories of our rural life before our coastal life...Dzintra♥x
ReplyDeleteVicki,
ReplyDeletehere we had the toro,fiesty crowd,rather like the lamb fete! avec joie,
In my bad translating I read "the party of the transhuman" and then I saw the sheep, goats and donkeys and for a moment my mind went to a Monty Python kind of place.;-)
ReplyDeleteI love any film Daniel Auteuil is in. Definitely checking out 36 Quai des Orfevres. Merci!
So glad you stopped by for a bit. I love your little farm life. My dream one day as well....I am off to visit some more....
ReplyDeleteWarm Wishes,
Karen Eileen
Sheep watching? Who knew?
ReplyDeleteNow...honestly...can you ever see this happening anywhere but France??
I love their traditions and festivals!
I was with you on the hestitation until I read your words of coming together to see them off on their summer journey -- and it made me want to be there. I love strong communities. You are so lucky to have that.
ReplyDeleteHappy journey to the farmers and their flocks, and here's to greener pastures.
xo Isa
ps. Thanks for the movie recommendation, I am in need for this rainy day! Perfect.
Love the sheep story. Would have loved to have been there. That's what I love about the French they love their farmers and do what they can to support them.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the movie tips!
Thanks for stopping back over at my blog. Glad you were able to attend the event and I love French films! I used to watch Gerard in my French classes and loved him in My Father The Hero, when that came out here in the U.S. :)
ReplyDeletegreat to add to my list of frenchie films..off to see 'l've loved yu so long 'on Monday night at a local indoie cinema..
ReplyDeletethanks for the recommendations..
have you ever seen APRES VOUS the first hour is hilarious with Daniel Auteuil
Thank you, I am always looking for good movies and I like both sorts, so I will check them out.
ReplyDeletexo
Nobody does village fetes like the French - I would have loved the sheep run for the hills! Unfortunately I've only spent a few hours in lovely St. Remy de Provence - not enough time of course.
ReplyDeleteI did have the best time at several fetes (new wine, pumpkins, music etc.) last Oct. while visiting my brother's village in the Languedoc.......they were quite memorable, and I loved watching the locals having such fun while enjoying the simple things in life alongside their family, friends and neighbors.
I love all your Provençal posts! it must have been such a great day...
ReplyDeleteyou make me miss Provence!
:-)
Vicki, you've got a great taste for French movies...i've seen 36, quai des orfèvres and i just love Auteuil in it. Would love to see the second one
Vicki, you have a really high quality blog here. I certainly enjoy your writing. It's substantial and there's enough of it to feel I've really read something. But very enjoyable and never slow. Love your photos as well. I'm learning something new every time I visit. Thank you.
ReplyDelete