30 minute read
La Vie En France
My Five Top Tips for enjoying a visit to the
Château de Javarzay, Chef-Boutonne by Jacqueline Brown
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The fairy tale Château de Javarzay in Chef-Boutonne, situated in the southern tip of the Deux-Sèvres, is one of the first Renaissance châteaux in the Poitou region. What remains today is a tiny part of what it once was, but even with only two of its original twelve towers, there is a lot to see and to keep the visitor entertained.
Following a substantial renovation, of both the exterior of the building and the museum housed within, the château is once again open to the public. From the beginning of June until the end of September, you can visit every day, except Tuesdays, from 10h to 12h30 and 14h to 18h30. My first Top Tip is to ensure you give yourself at least an hour for your visit – there really is a lot to see. The museum is split into three parts, and I just love that the start of the voyage is a slow and steady climb up a spiral staircase, housed in a conical-roofed turret, complete with tiny leaded glass windows with views over the lake and the grounds. In the château part of the museum, you can see the timbers and stonework up close and learn about the history of this beautiful building dating from 1513. One of my favourite things to do is to walk the exterior circular path up on the round tower, that gives you an almost 360º view of the park. who I’m sure are ‘living’ here now. The recent renovation project was about so much more than just the necessary building works needed to ensure the château is preserved for the next generation. The museum has been completely re-imagined and is now a multimedia, interactive, bilingual experience. Top Tip number two is to sit and listen to the rich tones of the voice of the château as he tells his story. The second part of the museum is all about the life of women in rural 19th century France. Why did women wear bonnets? When did they swap the bonnet for the more decorative headdress or coiffe? What was life like for the seamstresses who travelled from village to village to make and clean these works of art? All this and more is waiting for you to discover, housed in the top two tower rooms with cathedral like roof beams, turret towers and fairy tale windows – “Rapunzel, Rapunzel, let down your hair” always comes to my mind when I am up there. Top Tip number three - don’t forget to use our fun photobooth and have your picture taken wearing the coiffe of your choice.
The third part to the museum is dedicated to the French industrial revolution and one major player, Monsieur JeanFrançois Cail, born in Chef-Boutonne in 1804. Despite his humble beginnings, Jean-François Cail went on to achieve great things and the short film about his extraordinary life is worth watching. Most people leave with a sense of disbelief that someone who had such an impact, worldwide, isn’t as well-known today as his compatriots like Gustave Eiffel or Isambard Kingdom Brunel. As well as working in the sugar refining industry, Jean-François Cail was also involved in the French manufacture of the British designed Crampton steam engine. Top Tip number four – no steam train fan will want to miss our fabulously detailed, scale model engine on display.
As you would expect for a five-hundred-year-old residence, a number of families have called it home over the years and it is reputed to have had a Royal overnight guest too. If you happen to visit when I am working, I’d be happy to let you know about some of the other residents The château itself is set in a large park with a fishing lake, lots of picnic tables, a children’s play area and a riverside walk along the Boutonne. Top Tip number five is don’t forget your picnic and, after lunch, why not follow the 8km walk around Chef-Boutonne that starts at the château. This will take you along the quiet backroads through Chef-Boutonne where among other things you will see a number of lavoirs, one of which is at the source of the Boutonne river, and another has a little surprise waiting for you through a window. For those of you who enjoy cycling, the V93 cycle route that cuts across the south of the Deux-Sèvres department from the Charente to Niort, passes directly outside the château, before meandering along the Boutonne towards Brioux-sur-Boutonne. For those of you who enjoy discovering the area via the Tèrra Aventura geocaching app, the château is one of the sites that has a treasure stash just waiting for you to find. I hope this has whetted your appetite for a visit to ChefBoutonne and I look forward to seeing you at the Château de Javarzay very soon.
The MonTh of July and Why The 14Th is noT BasTille day.
by Sue Burgess
The "Fête Nationale", France's national holiday, has been held on the 14th July since 1880. The "Fête Nationale" commemorates the "Fête de la Fédération" in 1790. This was to mark the end of the absolute monarchy and was also the first anniversary of the taking of the Bastille in 1789.
MP Benjamin Raspail had the day voted as a holiday in May 1880 and because the 14th July 1789 had been a bloody day when people had been killed, the holiday officially only commemorates the "Fête de la Fédération" of 1790 and not in fact the storming of the Bastille prison as most of us would believe. That might explain why some of you might have received odd looks from the French when referring to the 14th July as Bastille Day. The 14th July is a bank holiday “jour férié” and the day for a big military parade “defilé militaire” along the Champs Elysées, smaller parades in most towns and a firework display “feux d’artifice” in the evening followed by a « bal populaire » - street party with music and dancing into the night. In many towns and villages the firework display is preceded by a “retraite aux flambeaux” (torchlight procession). The firework displays are either held very late evening on the 13th or after nightfall on the 14th. The beginning of July sees the end of the school year and the beginning of the two month "grandes vacances" (school summer holidays). The results of the Baccalaureat (equivalent of A levels) exam are released around the 7th or 8th of July and those students who are just a few marks off being successful sit "rattrapage" - oral exams where they try to make up the lost points they need. People who take their holidays in July are known as “juilletistes” and roads will be busy on Saturdays – the changeover day for most holiday rentals. The last weekend of July and the first weekend of August will be very busy on the roads and classed as “black” by “Bison Futé” the road safety organisation which studies traffic flow, since most of France will be on the roads on those two weekends, either setting off or coming back from their holidays.
Vocabulary / Vocabulaire
un feu d'artifice Firework display les feux d'artifice Fireworks un pétard Banger une fusée Rocket une toupie Catherine Wheel fontaine créscendo Silver fountain chandelle Roman Candle fusée sifflet Whistling rocket retraite aux flambeaux Torchlight procession une torche Flaming torch un lampion Chinese lantern bal populaire Local dance / hop défilé March-past / procession
July 2022
The History Of French Food by Chloé Louise Moore
Anyone who knows anything about the French knows that they take their food seriously. From wine to cheese, they've got it all locked down. Not only is French food endlessly fascinating, but it's also packed full of history and culture. So, if you're new to the country or just looking to learn more about this amazing cuisine, read on!
The origins of French food and where it came from.
When it comes to the origins of French food, there are a few different schools of thought. Some people say that the cuisine is purely a product of modern France, while others believe that it has much older roots. And while there is no one right answer, I think it's safe to say that French food is definitely a mixture of both old and new.
French food today - what's popular and why.
For example, take a dish like Boeuf Bourguignon. This classic French dish is actually based on an older recipe from Burgundy, a region in eastern France. So you can see that the country's culinary traditions are steeped in history. At the same time, however, French chefs have also been known to experiment with modern cooking techniques and ingredients, which has resulted in some truly unique dishes.
How French food has evolved over the years.
If you ask any French person, they'll tell you that their cuisine is the best in the world. And while this might be a matter of personal opinion, there's no denying that French food has come a long way over the years. Back in the Middle Ages for example, the focus was on simple, hearty dishes that would fill you up and keep you going. And while some of these meals still remain popular today, French cuisine has also evolved to include more delicate and exotic dishes. This is thanks, in part, to the country's many international influences. Over the years, France has been home to people from all over the world, and this melting pot of cultures has helped to shape the country's unique culinary identity. When it comes to French food, there are a few dishes that stand out as being particularly popular. For example, French onion soup is a classic dish that is often ordered in restaurants. This soup is made with beef broth, onions, and croutons, and it is usually topped with cheese.
Another popular dish is steak frites. This dish consists of steak, that can be cooked in a variety of ways, that is served with French fries. There are many reasons why these dishes are so popular. For starters, both of them are very hearty and filling. They also have a lot of flavour, thanks to the ingredients that are used. Additionally, both dishes are relatively affordable, which is another reason why they are popular among budget-conscious diners.
Vegetarian and Vegan dishes are also becoming highly successful in French cuisine! French food has come a long way since its humble beginnings. From the simple peasant dishes of the past to the complex and intricate creations of today, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Regional variations in France give diners even more choices with food and wine! Be sure to check out my other articles on all things French – I offer assistance with any help you might need!
Regional differences in French cuisine.
When it comes to French food, there's no one right answer. Because of the country's vast size and diverse landscape, the cuisine can vary quite a bit from region to region. For example, in the south of France you'll find lots of spicy dishes, while in the north you'll mostly find hearty, comfort foods. And then there's Paris, which is famous for its fine dining establishments and elegant menus. No matter where you go in France, however, you're sure to find something delicious to eat. Some of peoples favourite regional French dishes include cassoulet from Toulouse, bouillabaisse from Marseille, and confit de canard from the Pyrenees. So, if you get the opportunity, be sure to try some of these dishes for yourself!
PS : my website is currently undergoing a little makeover, so contact me via my email address this month chloelouisemoore@yahoo.com Chloé
Life in 79
Any Old Iron
by Stephen Shaw
Winter is but a distant memory, as summer has well and truly arrived. The log burners have fallen silent, several togs removed from the duvet, even my trusty winter gilet is now in its summer hibernation – “sleep, my precious, until we meet again”. Instead, we have whirring fans on the bedside tables, fly screens on the windows and the sticky fly-papers-of-death hang from the ceiling like long Garibaldi biscuits. My hot-water bottle has been replaced by a fly swat, with which, Ninja-like, I splatter the enemy into the coffee table, kitchen counters or any other surface they have landed on. been purchased, inflated and can be seen blowing across the farmer's field on a daily basis.
The summer fridge has been stocked, the drinks cabinet replenished with colourful bottles of booze purchased in readiness for the cocktail season. For the more adventurous alcoholics we even have a bottle of something akin to rocket fuel with a whole pear floating in it.
The paddy field that is our garden in winter has been cooked by the summer sun; the lush verdant grass now golden and when working in the vegetable garden a pickaxe is my preferred tool of choice.
After two years of living like hermits we are looking forward to a packed calendar of social events. Our son is getting married this year so we will be zipping back and forth to the UK for the stag and hen dos and the wedding itself. Suits have been purchased and hang in the wardrobe, promises to lose weight before the big day have been made and the mobile constantly 'pings' with the latest contribution to the Staggy McStagface WhatsApp group (“Oh god! It's fancy dress”). Anna can never be accused of doing anything by half, and has purchased a wooden bar from Emmaus which she has tarted up and adorned with beer mats, brewery towels and an ice bucket in the shape of a golden pineapple. She has even bought two bar stools from a French gentleman we met in a carpark in La Peyratte. I dread to think what will appear next...a cigarette machine, a couple of urinals in the barn, packets of peanuts stuck into a piece of cardboard revealing a woman in a skimpy swimsuit...
We are having both our families to stay this summer too. Anna's younger sister is celebrating her 50th with us and her big sis is jetting in from Australia. Then a few days later my family descend. Over those few days I will have to adjust my auditory perception – as well as the Scottish accent Anna's family all whisper and I can't hear what anyone says, whereas my family suffer from degrees of tinnitus and/or deafness so tend to communicate through a series of repetitive shouts, followed by “what did she say?”' when Anna says anything. After our weekly family zoom I will find I have a rasping sore throat from having barked at the computer for 40 minutes. In readiness for their arrival Anna has been busy. The swimming pool has been transformed from a cold, uninviting green colour (with Saharan sludge at the bottom) to a warm, shimmering azure. PH levels are checked on a daily basis and any floating woodland creatures are trebucheted over the hedge. Inflatables have
It was all coming together until our neighbourly farmer decided to make an unsightly pile of cattle feeders, gates and other ironmongery lying around in the field next to us. Like the Parisian barricades this unsightly carbuncle rises out of the earth (see picture). I get the urge to clamber to the ONE DAY MORE ..... top and launch into 'One Day More' brandishing my air rifle. A number of young Leylandii have been planted (using my trusty pickaxe) ...but, I fear, even these mighty conifers will not have grown enough to block the view before our visitors arrive in July. Now, as you can imagine, after all her hard work Mrs Shaw was not best pleased. Polite emails were sent asking if Monsieur farmer Barleymow wouldn't mind moving it when convenient. The farmer said it would be moved at some point in the future...as I write it is still there. The student uprising of 1832 lasted just two days, I fear the stand off of 2022 could go on longer.
If you would like to read more ramblings from Mr Shaw, go to www.lifein79.blogspot.com
KeeP CalM and CaRRy on WiTh life by Jacqueline Brown
There is a scent of summer in the air and after two quiet and socially awkward years, Loubillé is cautiously coming back to life. We have a new Maire, and the council have decided to reinstate the annual fête nationale buffet and disco on 13th July. The library will be celebrating all things book related with an afternoon in the park on 24th July as part of the national Partir en Livre library event. We have all sorts of games on a book theme planned, plus six local authors joining us to talk about their books. Some are French, some are English and one has even had her debut novel published in both French and English. It will be a real international festival of books.
The park will also (hopefully) be the place to be at the end of July for the Entrecôte meal, a popular annual event that has been missed in recent years. If we are not too partied out by August, there will also be our 15th August family picnic and games afternoon. Everyone is welcome to bring their picnics and enjoy an afternoon in the shade of the trees, catching up with friends and neighbours. I can’t wait. which also increases the library opening times and we have a surprising new chapter starting for the village bar. Somewhat unexpectedly, the bar has new owners and this time it has had more than just a fresh coat of paint and a new name. The couple who have lived opposite it for years have taken it on and totally reinvented it. They have clad the front in wood, bought the brightest pink umbrellas for the outdoor tables and put up a flashy neon sign. Inside, they have built new walls, put in a new kitchen area and installed new lighting – gone are the florescent tubes that stripped the atmosphere from even the liveliest of soirées. They have put in a lot of effort to create a vibrant and coordinated interior, with eyecatching zingy orange chairs and an equally fresh take on the menu. Drum roll please… We now have our very own village Kebab and Pizza eat-in or takeaway restaurant, offering “the best of Greek-Italian”.
They may be the sixth owners to bravely take on this venture in the eighteen years we have lived here, and none of the others have had a post pandemic economy to cope with, so I truly wish them well. It is the little things like the library, post office and the restaurant that add an essential vibrancy to daily life and ensure there is a community for when the village associations hold events.
By far the most exciting news however, is that day to day, the village is coming to life once again. These last two years have seen the closing of the village bar, the retirement (and therefore closure) of the boulangerie and sub-post office and an injury to the hairdresser’s ankle, leaving every commerce in the village shut and lifeless. The commune has recently opened a post office in the library,
Advertising in The Deux-Sèvres Monthly is not as expensive as you might think. Up to 15,000 potential customers see the magazine every month. A colour advert this size for a business costs as little as 40€ per month*, less for an event on The Bulletin Board pages. Why not find out more by dropping us a line at ... info@thedeuxsevresmonthly.fr
*This price is based on a 12 issue, colour, size B advert (same size as this advert) paid annually in advance. Other options are available and a range of discounts are also available for multiple month adverts.
DÉCHETTERIES
Up to date information about opening hours, restrictions, etc for your local déchetterie? Visit the website www.smc79.fr for details For waste disposal outside of the Deux-Sèvres there’s an alternative website www.decheteries.fr
An American In Sauzé-Vaussais
Back in February, The DSM received a request to leave some of our magazines at a boulangerie in Sauzé-Vaussais as about a third of their clientele are English speaking. At the end of the month, we stopped at the Super U site and discovered the
Fournil de la Plaine Boulangerie
which has been run by American Lisa and her French partner, Olivier, since October 2021. “I am convinced I am the only American in a 30 km radius! But Sauzé-Vaussais has been very welcoming and Olivier is happy to be in Deux-Sèvres since this is a new department for him to explore“ Lisa told us over a coffee and croissant.
Born in Hong Kong, Lisa and her family left for America when she was two years old to pursue “the American Dream”. The family ran a restaurant and bar in New York giving her a great foundation in the hospitality industry. After university Lisa was able to pursue her passion for the arts with the rich and diverse culture of New York alongside her work in the technology industry for many years. This allowed Lisa to indulge her love of travel by visiting Asia, Mexico and Canada. She hadn’t finished globetrotting yet and went to live in Australia for a short time, also travelling to Europe making her own grand tour of Spain, France, Italy and England.
During covid in December 2020, Lisa left New York City and stayed in Saint Martin (an island in the Caribbean that is slightly smaller than Niort), where she met Olivier. Although working in Saint Martin at the time, Olivier decided to move back to France. He asked Lisa to join him and build a life together here, she agreed without hesitation. Despite all her travelling, Lisa had only lived in English speaking countries and, while Olivier was obviously fluent in French, the language barrier was a concern to her. Luckily, the boulangerie has many loyal English speaking customers, mostly from England, Ireland and South Africa. As Lisa explains “ All of my family and friends are far away so speaking English gives me a little sense of home and helps me adjust here”. They returned to France in the summer of 2021 looking for a boulangerie business. With over 20 years’ experience in the boulangerie, pâtisserie and pizzeria industry Olivier knew what he was looking for. Although he had grown up in North-Eastern France, Olivier knew that Lisa preferred to be further south with its warmer climate and shorter winters. They found the boulangerie in Sauzé-Vaussais, the owner was retiring, and purchased the business seeing its potential for growth. A new pergola has already been added to provide a shaded area for customers to enjoy a sandwich and coffee for lunch or perhaps trying the Plat du jour and new desserts the innovative couple have introduced. Totally different from life in New York City, Lisa had to quickly immerse herself into the culture of France as well as learning the language. She has learned a lot about
“... I am the only French life : the mid-day closure for a two hour lunch break and Lisa is getting American in a 30 km used to the fact that "almost nothing is open on Sunday so we travel to Niort for radius ...” restaurants or stores”. The life of a baker means long days which begin early with the ovens starting at 4am producing fresh bread and viennoiseries throughout the day, whether it is to welcome the breakfast crowds or the after work customers seeking baguettes for dinner. As leader of the team of five, Lisa can be found preparing the plat du jour and greeting the customers, especially helpful if the customer needs someone to speak to them in English. Olivier and Lisa are happy to welcome all the residents of Sauzé-Vaussais, and the many tourists that stop for a summer visit. If you are passing why not pop in and try some of their delicious items on offer and, with a friendly word of English, help Lisa feel at home. Oh, and don’t forget your copy of The DSM of course!
Bike4Bast
Cycling 12,000km to raise £12,000 for addiction recovery
Kind, funny, bright, courageous and charismatic; these are all words that come to mind when I think of how to describe our best friend. Bast was outright hilarious with his banter – and he did it well, never failing to raise a laugh with his rendition of Catherine Tate’s ‘gooseberry and cinnamon yogurt’ sketch. He was the glue that held us together, gave the biggest hugs and despite all he was going through, always made sure that you knew you were loved and had you laughing again, even on your worst days. Last year, Bast died of a drug overdose. He was only 21 and it felt crushing. Our beautiful, kind, wonderful friend was gone in an instant to an addiction he hated and wrestled with every day. You never expect to lose a friend, brother or son so young and we were all trying to figure out a way to channel our grief into something positive. His addiction had taken him from us, but we didn’t want it to take away the positivity that he had brought to the world. Bast was training to be a counsellor in the months before he died, in order to help others through the struggles he’d been going through. So, my best friend Phoebe and I, along with Bast’s father Paul and step-mother Jacqueline Kelly, decided to try and raise £12,000 to fund one young man through a full addiction recovery programme at Yeldall Manor, a UK-based addiction recovery charity in the Berkshire countryside. Yeldall offers help, healing and hope by providing a stepped treatment programme, from intensive inpatient support, to semiindependent and independent living, which we learnt is key as transition from treatment back into the community was where Bast really struggled. Hope is written into the heart of what Yeldall wants to do for another person just like Bast. Such a big target needed an equally large challenge, so we decided to cycle the distance between Singapore, where we met and where Bast went to school, and Henley-onThames in the UK, where Bast was from, which amazingly was around 12,000km. The overwhelmingly positive response has been incredible, with around 400 people following our journey on social media and 45 cyclists joining us on our Bike4Bast challenge from all around the world, including the UK, the Netherlands, America, Canada, Australia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and myself in France. On our virtual map we’ve already cycled over 9000km, through 16 countries and are currently making our way through Italy. So far we’ve raised over £8000 towards our target, which is just fantastic! We’ve got £4000 left to reach our goal, and whilst there’s no expectations, every little really does help! So if you are reading this and are touched, please go to
www.justgiving.com/ fundraising/bike4bast
and help us give another young man the chance at life we so wish we could’ve given Bast. We can’t bring Bast back but we can make him proud and do something good in the world to raise a smile by continuing his positive impact on the world.
TAKE A BREAK - SOLUTIONS - PAGES 10 - 11
Easy Crossword:
A N E M I A # A C C E P T # O # E # # H # # R # O # A T O N E # U P C Y C L E # I # T # # M # # S # I # L O C A L # I M I T A T E # N # L # # L # # A # E # # # D I F F I C U L T # # # F # L # # A # # P # G # B A L L A S T # T A M A R # T # N # # I # # L # E # C H E E R I O # T A B L E # E # S # # N # # C # I # P R I S O N # G R E E C E
Toughie Crossword ("REVERSALS")
# O # T # P # D A P # C # E G R I T U D E # A T OM # R # M # P # N # G # U # F E D E L I N I # A P S E I # # # # L # E # N # T # R E C A P S # R E I N E D # M # C # # # # # N # A # R E W A R D # S L I P U P # R # D # R # P # # # # A L I V E # A W A K E N E D # T # M # W # C # V # R # S U F I # E V E N I N G S # S # A I R # R # L # O #
Sudoku:
7 6 8 4 1 2 9 5 3 1 2 3 9 6 5 7 4 8 5 4 9 8 3 7 2 1 6 9 7 1 5 8 6 3 2 4 6 5 4 7 2 3 1 8 9 8 3 2 1 4 9 6 7 5 4 8 7 3 9 1 5 6 2 3 1 6 2 5 8 4 9 7 2 9 5 6 7 4 8 3 1
CONNECT FOUR :
Q1. Numbers on a dartboard and the numbers either side. Q2. Numbers on a roulette wheel and their colours. Q3. TV chefs Q4. 10 (atomic number of neon is 10)
Les Medievales de Mauleon 21-22 May, 2022
who were provided with benches, logs and straw bales, some of which were tree shaded to sit upon. The scheduled displays were mainly duplicated between the two days. With period music broadcast at an appropriate volume, a troupe of dancers demonstrated a number of different dances. Afterwards, the audience, including many children, were encouraged to join the dancers in the arena and were led through some group steps with the help of the reenactors.
A report by Adrian Blake
Visitors to the outdoor Medieval event at Mauleon, Department 79, were treated to ideal weather conditions for this two day extravaganza. The program of events describes a Medieval costumed parade opening the proceedings on the Saturday afternoon with activities scheduled well into the evening.
I attended on the Sunday morning, until early that evening. The event was hosted in the grounds of the chateau, in the heart of the town, it was well sign posted for pedestrians and indeed bunting, flags and banners were displayed throughout the town which greatly added to the atmosphere of the day. Moreover, a horse drawn carriage was conveying visitors on a short guided tour of the town, departing and returning to the entrance of the chateau, giving the visitor a sense of the local community fully supporting the gala. Ample free car parking was available in the town less than five minutes easy stroll from the venue and I was amazed at the admission fee of only 1 Euro which included a well produced colour program of events. A wrist stamp on admission allowed easy re-entry to the chateau throughout the day for those who wished to explore the locale on their own.
Although not huge, the grounds of the chateau were more than ample, even and largely level so that disabled access was not restricted. Catering concessions near the entrance served visitors who were provided with a large cool, tree shaded area of bench seats and tables for rest and eating. Encircling the main house were the period marquees numbering some 50+ in total and inhabited by members of the ten medieval re-enactment companies who attended. A large variety of displays were on offer from blacksmithing, with the opportunity for visitors to try their hand at the forges, to making the flights for an arrow with the Fletcher, wicker basket making using woven reeds and displays of board games and toys. Exhibitions of wood carving and pottery were inter-spaced with displays of weapons, armour and medical instruments, all with period costumed, knowledgeable attendants who engaged with their audiences.
The main arena to one side of the chateau is located in a slight depression in the terrain, allowing for spectators from the main court yard area to get a good view of the action displays; supplementing the ground level spectators A further group of entertainers gave an energetic demonstration of juggling with sticks and flaming torches, (one of the performers were later seen in the Red Cross tent having their hand bandaged). The Sunday display of birds of prey were announced as being cancelled due to an issue with the birds, but the program was seamlessly filled with gladiatorial styled armed combat between well padded, chain-mailed and armoured knights. Short vignettes depicting the trial of a villain ended with further sword fighting, culminating with the depiction of the storming of the chateau. For this, ten Crusader knights were pitched against ten barbarian warriors, including a Moorish champion, creating quite a spectacle as the twenty soldiers battled it out to the clash and ring of metal sword against metal sword and wooden shield. Although the day was warm and the costumes thick, the warriors gave their all to create an exciting spectacle which thrilled the crowd.
The event, whilst well attended by the public, (some of whom themselves were dressed in period costume) was not overly crowded which enabled attendees to move around the site easily and to gain good view points to watch the displays and demonstrations, without being jostled or having any feelings of over-bearing. The exhibitors were well motivated with impressive displays and knowledge of their period and were supported by a small number of traders who provided opportunities for visitors to buy period souvenirs from costumes, jewellery and hand crafts. From a visitors perspective, this event was a very enjoyable experience, providing an inexpensive, pleasant day out and the opportunity to learn a little more about the history, make-up and culture of France and its inhabitants.
