Spring is almost in the air in France

Spring is sort of in the air where I am – much more so where I’m going in two weeks’ time – Menton on the French Riviera for the Lemon Festival, and the gorgeous Gulf of Saint-Tropez (top photo – yes I do pinch myself!) to explore the picturesque villages, stunning countryside and lovely seaside towns (come with me on Instagram).

The mornings and evenings are getting lighter, buds are appearing on tree branches and the wild birds are singing in the hedges. After seemingly hibernating during the wintry weeks, my neighbours are out and about preparing gardens for the growing season. Pretty much everyone here grows fruit and vegetable and there is a thriving barter system in place. I always have way too many apples, so Claude Senior and son Claude Junior make cider with them and I get a cut of the juice. My rhubarb is coveted by Jean-Claude, and, when my quince tree decides to fruit (random years), Claudette loves to make jelly with the bitter pears.

And if you’re thinking everyone in my village is called Claude in some form or other, you’d be forgiven for drawing that conclusion! It was the law until 1993, that babies in France were named from an approved list of Saints’ names, or figures from antiquity or classical literature, and if you ever look at a French calendar, the days are also marked with a name – the Saint’s Day (Saint Claude’s Day is 15 February). And though that rule has now been relaxed, the courts can still refuse to register a name (Mini-Cooper for instance, yes someone did actually want to name their child that). Clearly Saint-Claude (Patron Saint of toymakers), was a popular choice on the list in my village. Some in France wish a “happy name day” on the Saint’s Day, and since Jean-Claude is always up for a reason to celebrate, it’s a traditional day for aperitifs with neighbours here – whatever day of the week it is!

Wishing you a bon week-end from a sunny in spirit village in the middle of nowhere, rural northern France.

Janine
Editor
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Janine Marsh is Author of My Good Life in France: In Pursuit of the Rural Dream, My Four Seasons in France: A Year of the Good Life and Toujours la France: Living the Dream in Rural France all available as ebook, print & audio, on Amazon everywhere & all good bookshops online. Her new book How to be French – a celebration of the French lifestyle and art de vivre, is out now – a look at the French way of life.

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