Fêtes de l'été (summer parties)

It seems with the start of the summer solstice the French look for any excuse to have outdoor music in their parks.  Thankfully the weather has finally started to cooperate to make that possible.  Last week Thomas and I had a chance to attend two outdoor parties. One was for work which featured three bands, catered food, and a nonstop wine bar.  This party was high class with folks dressed like what you would imagine in the European place (designer clothes and fashionable shoes).  The set was over the top.  There were mini cheeseburgers, pasta bars, a candy table for the kids and an ice cream stand. The highlight of the evening for me was the twenty piece swing band.  One of the better evenings this summer - drink in hand, Thomas by my side, and hanging out on the steps of a chateau listening to big band music in France.

The other party was a town festival celebrating Saint John the Baptist.  Apparently, all over Europe (and Quebec) people celebrate Saint John on the solstice by building a bonfire on hilltops.  The town party didn't seem to have any religious connotations, but there was a big bonfire at the end, as well as outdoor music and fire works.  I've been searching for that small town feel, which is a bit hard when you town has 16,000 inhabitants.  The fete helped.  It was organized in a small park. Families and other Garchoises attended. We met a neighbor and watched some musicians from the local music conservatory.   The night ended with an impressive firework display.  Thomas and I left at this point. We did not wait for the pile of wooden crates to be set alight.

Parks in France are spectacular displays of topiary artistry. Add good weather, outdoor music, a loved one or two, and delectable dishes, and you transcend into a space of sensory eudaimonia.

 work party. big band music.

There are times when I can't believe I work someplace that has this as part of its head quarters (don't work in this building though)

Fire works display.