WINTER BREAKS 2019/20 THE GUIDE


creations and all sorts of exotic, skyscraping monsters, so we can’t wait to see what February 2020 will hold. www.fete-du-citron.com


Fête du Mimosa


As we continue to dispel the myth that all winter festivals must be powdered with snow, we turn our attentions to another unlikely champion of the colder months: the mimosa. This very summery-looking fl ower actually comes into its own from mid-January to early March (down in the far south, anyway) and on the Côte d’Azur entire hillsides can be plastered with its sunshine-yellow blooms. In Mandelieu-la Napoule, the entire month of February is devoted to this brilliant fl ower, and for eight days visitors can observe such frivolities as the Mimosa Queen fl oat, a night-time parade from the Capitou district to the city centre, and a bus tour following the mimosa’s journey from branch to perfume bottle. www.mandelieu.com


Saint Nicholas’s Day Saint Nicholas’s Day (December 6) is observed with particular fl air in the city of Nancy. To pay tribute to the gift-giving saint, a weekend of parades, processions and performances takes place through place Stanislas and the central streets. Few other festivals are as eclectic: you’ll see costumed dancers,


animatronic creatures, marching bands and fi reworks in one wondrous jumble of excitement – plus, there’s the staple mulled wine and marrons chauds (hot chestnuts) to keep you toasty throughout the festivities. en.nancy-tourisme.fr


Salon du Chocolat


Between advent calendars and gingerbread houses, winter is sheer heaven for those of us with a sweet tooth. Chocoholics should start the season with Le Salon du Chocolat in Paris, where more than 500 exhibitors fl ock to this prestigious gathering, including leading chefs and master chocolatiers from all corners of the world. Besides roaming the stalls, visitors can attend exhibitions and pastry workshops, watch demonstrations by experts and even witness a chocolate fashion show where the garments are made from the sweet stuff itself! The event also hosts some serious competitions, including the Pain au Chocolat Masters, Artisan Pâtisserie Trophy, International Cocoa Awards and the Awards du Chocolat. www.salon-du-chocolat.fr


SKI RESORT ACCOMMODATION L’hiver in the French Alps means one thing: ski season. Mountain slopes become immaculately-groomed pistes, those lush, green valleys turn ❯❯


Choose from over 40 Chalets and apartments in Les Gets and then chose exactly the level of service you want.


With Chalets1066 you can tailor your holiday to your exact needs - chose economy to luxury, chose self-catered to fully catered.


www.chalets1066.com or call 0207 183 5082 Le Salon du Chocolat will be held between October 30 and November 3 this year Oct/Nov 2019 FRANCE TODAY ❘ 145


IMAGE © ERMIS


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