"Summer in France" France Things to Do Tip by mke1963

Americans may not like it very much, but the French are intensely cultured and they expect their culture to be readily available while taking their holidays in the countryside. The result is that across France, from June through to September, no matter how small the village, there is an endless succession of cultural events. Most of these are open to the public and advertised on posters in the villages, nearby towns and in the local newspapers. However, do take care when choosing your events. While the rural French are remarkably hospitable, over the last ten years we have found that a number of events are aimed firmly at the local community rather than outsiders. Given that everyone within a 20km radius has known each other since they were three years old, everyone will have a lot of fun, but outsiders may feel a little isolated.
There are some clues as to which events are aimed more at the local people. When you see on the poster that there is some form of meal included in the price, usually a barbecue or roast chicken, this is nearly always a god clue that it is for the locals. You are more than welcome to pay your money and join in, but you may find yourself very much on the edge of what is going on. Even if you know local families, it is likely that they will spend jus a few minutes talking politely to you before returning to the fray to discover what Monsieur Benoit's Great Aunt Mathilde is reputed to have been doing to the Duc de Lorient with handcuffs, a milking machine and forty kilos of fresh lucerne! If you are a sociologist or an anthropologist, these village meals are a wonderful scene, but as a casual visitor you may feel a little lonely. Even the events arranged in surprisingly big towns can feel like a family affair. At this year's Bastille Day fireworks in the town of Nerac, we sensed that the entire 5,000 crowd knew each other and spent the two hours before the event meeting, greeting and mwah-mwah-ing each other.