We’ve seen a lot of Christmas as we’ve traveled in France this December.
We began seeing Christmas decorations go up in Narbonne in mid- November, but the lights weren’t turned on until Dec 3. There was a small Christmas market on one side of the Canal de la Robine and, on the other side, a sort of carnival midway with rides of all kinds. I’m not sure that a Haunted House (Le Chalet Hanté) fits with Christmas but who am I to judge??
In Arles, the streets were lighted subtly. Their Christmas tradition that was most impressive was a display of the work of Santonniers (les crechists). These are artists that make miniature scenes of village life, including créche (nativity) scenes.
We arrived in Lyon on the final day of the annual Fête des Lumières. Talk about lights! This was an impressive, and crowded, festival of lights that took in many of the main areas of the city, celebrating Christmas and the feast of Notre Dame de Fourvière.
Of course, we’ve seen Christmas trees for sale in each city. And lots of live trees are used for decoration around the towns. One thing I’ve noticed is that each tree comes with a ready-made stand – an X or circle of wood or a mount made of a larger piece of wood. And none of these seem to allow for watering the tree as we’ve always done. I guess it’s cold enough for the outside trees to survive anyway!
The center of Beaune is filled with lovely pedestrian streets that are, of course, lighted for the holiday. The shop windows are also tastefully and beautifully decorated. And the flowers on the street! Hard to imagine that they are so lovely when it’s this cold!
Now we are in Colmar – a Christmas paradise! During most of our recent travels, we’ve been aware (and happy) that we’re there in the off-season. Well, not here. Christmas is THE time to be in Colmar! There are no fewer than 5 Christmas markets in different sections of the town and the streets are crowded with people who, like us, decided that this was the best place to be at Christmas. I’ll share more about Colmar in a later post, but here is the Christmas version in pictures.
As for our Christmas shopping…we did much of it on line and all of it WAY in advance. Every child and grandchild has received a present and, we trust they’ve been kept hidden until next week. We’re giving each other the gift of this adventure and asking our children to give us the gift of their time when we return to the States in March.
I did buy one trinket to decorate our Colmar house – a paper garland that fits right in hanging from the stairs… And – one special Christmas gift – here is a picture of Owen’s stocking – stitched lovingly by me, carrying forward the tradition begun by my mother (and appreciated by all of HER grandchildren…)
We wish you all health and happiness this holiday season.
Dear Kathy and Ric: thank you for sharing your amazing Christmas experiences in France, Colmar in particular. It is an absolute treat to see your pictures and read the details. Thank you for sharing your journey and the culture you are experiencing first hand!
Merry Christmas and warmest wishes to you for Health and continued safe travels in 2017!
Nancy
Wonderful! Happy Holidays!
Wishing you great happiness as you celebrate in the Christmas city.
Love to you,
So lovely to follow your adventures. I have a client who just got
Married and his honeymoon is the Christmas markets of Europe. I send my sincere and happiest wishes for a wonderful holiday season.
Fondly, Karin
Dear Kathy, your photographs and descriptions are heartwarming and just plain awesome !..again thank you for keeping us posted I hope you received our family newsletter to keep you informed as to what the Ball Concordia family are doing.
I hope the next weeks continue to be as enjoyable as they seem to be with you and your good husband have fun and wishing you a Merry Christmas and the happiest of New Year’s Marion
Love all of your posts. Enjoy and Merry Christmas to both of you and your family…
Michelle Adcock
Wonderful pictures
But no snow 😲
Tori and I spent the weekend in B’more. A disaster. Ice storm caused driving havoc, truck accident on I95 caused multiple deaths and closed both sides of I95 for hours. Ditto I 195 from Catonsville. Saw where 2 cars drove into the Walgreens on St Paul St.
Saw our kids and grandkids, all well. 🤓
Do you know Dee and Barry Glassman from Pratt St? They are moving to Portugal. 25 miles from Lisbon, at the ocean.
Back in Chicago by midnight, more snow and subzero temperatures.
Merry Christmas
Tori and Ray
Dear Kathy and Rick,
Merry Christmas! The photos are wonderful and your descriptions of each town keep us adding places to our “must see” list. What a wonderful gift you have given each other. Miss you.
Hugs and kisses and all warm wishes for the holidays.
Pat and Lew
Apparently your travel and the sights and sounds you have encountered everywhere have reached your deep seated (hidden?) musical acumen. Why shouldn’t it? Your beautiful photos are like music and your descriptions of charming and world class sights are like lyrics.
Colmar looks like a Christmas Garden I once had, only more so. Hampden, please take note. What a joy it must be to be in Colmar at Christmas time. Joy to the world.
Thanks so very much allowing us to share your marvelous adventure.
Merry, merry Christmas. Peace. Be safe.