J oY e U x N o ë l

* * * * *** ** J oY e U x N o ë l * * ********

We wish you a very happy Christmas and may all your dreams come true in 2010.

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Nous vous souhaitons un joyeux Noël et nous espérons que tous vos rêves se réalisent en 2010.

Leeann & Trent

Christmas/New Year 2009

{image from here}

We have been getting a few inquiries re eating out on Christmas and New Years Eve.

The Chateau in Eymet will be lit up by lasers for New Year's Eve and the council will be offering an aperitif to all reviellers.

La tour des vents in nearby Monbazillac have fabulous menus for both days, please visit their website for further details.

La cour d'eymet, the fabulous restaurant literally a minutes walk from Maison No. 20 will be open on both days but have yet to provide us with menu details.

Les pieds sur terre, the new and very chic restaurant situated on the Boulevard National will be open new years eve, menu details are as follows:

New Year's Eve Menu 45 euros per head

A selection of canapes

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Jerusalem artichoke veloute with truffle oil croutons

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Foie gras terrine with accompaniments

Or

Crayfish tail cocktail with toasts and Marie Rose sauce

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Fillet of beef "Wellington" winter vegetables, port gravy

Or

Pan-fried tuna steak, cauliflower puree, winter greens, monbazillac wine and saffron sauce

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Plate of assorted cheese

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Plate of home-made mini desserts

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Coffee

Also a reminder re the Marche de Noel which will be taking place on Sunday throughout the day on the village square. Pere Nooel will be available for photos, should you require one.

Nous vous souhaitons de très joyeuses fêtes

Leeann & Trent

Mulled wine

At this time of the year I adore the smell of Christmas.....the tree, scent of Christmas candles, freshly baked gingerbread biscuits and my favourite smell, mulled wine.

I thought that I would share our secret recipe with you.

Ingredients
1.1 litres/2 pints red wine
3 cinnamon sticks
6 star anise
6 cloves
3 oranges, sliced
3 lemons, sliced
150g/5oz brown sugar (you can use honey instead if you prefer)

Method
1. Bring all of the ingredients to a simmer in a saucepan, then continue to simmer gently for 6-8 minutes, without boiling.
2. To serve, pour the mulled wine into six heatproof glasses.

Santé

Leeann & Trent

Live music evenings In Eymet

‘Le Off’, is the 2009-2010 winter season of live music evenings in Eymet (24).

The box office opens at 7pm and doors open at 7.30pm. You can eat and there is a bar. Music starts from 8pm. Places are limited.


21st November 2009: Dois Da Bossa (percussion and guitar duo; bossa nova /samba) 10€ Restaurant Italien des Arcades - Eymet (24)

5th December 2009: Le Free Du Hazard Trio (new jazz) 10 €
Restaurant Italien des Arcades - Eymet (24)

19th December 2009: Robin NOTTE Quartet (jazz funk) 10 €
Restaurant Italien des Arcades - Eymet (24)

9th January 2010: Barbara LUNA Trio (world music) 10 €
Restaurant Italien des Arcades - Eymet (24)

23rd January 2010: Tribal Voix (vocals / percussion) 10 €
Restaurant Italien des Arcades - Eymet (24)

6th February 2010: Emile PARISIEN Qtet (jazz) 12 €
Restaurant Italien des Arcades - Eymet (24)

20th February 2010: Post Image (jazz fusion) 10 €
Salle des Fêtes - Eymet (24) rés

See www.maquizart.com for more details.

Christmas in France

{Bûche de Noël, image from here}

I thought that I would share some facts about Christmas in France......

Nearly every French home at Christmas time displays a Nativity scene or creche, which serves as the focus for the Christmas celebration. The creche is often peopled with little clay figures called santons or "little saints." An extensive tradition has evolved around these little figures which are made by craftsmen in the south of France throughout the year. In addition to the usual Holy Family, shepherds, and Magi, the craftsmen also produce figures in the form of local dignitaries and characters.

{Santons in Avignon}

The craftsmanship involved in creating the gaily colored santons is quite astounding and the molds have been passed from generation to generation since the seventeenth century. Throughout December the figures are sold at annual Christmas fairs in Marseille and Aix.

The Christmas tree has never been particularly popular in France, and though the use of the Yule log has faded, the French make a traditional Yule log-shaped cake called the Bûche de Noël, which means "Christmas Log." The cake, among other food in great abundance is served at the grand feast of the season, which is called le rveillon.

Le rveillon is a very late supper held after midnight mass on Christmas Eve. The menu for the meal varies according to regional culinary tradition. In Alsace, goose is the main course, in Burgundy it is turkey with chestnuts, and the Parisians feast upon oysters and pat de foie gras.

Here in SW France, the locals feast on foie gras, canard, oysters which is all washed down with a glass of local wine - we have many to choose from as the area is reknown for its wine.

French children receive gifts from Pere Noel who travels with his stern disciplinarian companion Pre Fouettard. Pre Fouettard reminds Pere Noel of just how each child has behaved during the past year.

In some parts of France Pere Noel brings small gifts on St. Nicholas Eve (December 6) and visits again on Christmas. In other places it is le petit Jesus who brings the gifts. Generally adults wait until New Year's Day to exchange gifts.

The count down has begun, only 23 days to go.....

L x

Christmas Markets in France

{Christmas market stall, Strasbourg}

Christmas time in France is joyous event and celebrated in cities, towns and villages with sparkling decorations, festive food, concerts, festivals, parades and, perhaps most importantly of all, Christmas markets.

When it comes to Christmas, France is not as commercially driven as in other countries, with less emphasis being on big spending and more being on seasonal events. With hundreds of Christmas markets taking place throughout France between late November and early January most are found in the larger town or cities, with Paris, Lille, Strasbourg and Avignon being the principle ones.

Traditionally, housewives in France would spend the weeks leading up to Christmas preparing the festive food and Christmas markets developed to supply them with the ingredients and products they needed. The first Christmas market to emerge in France was Strasbourg, in 1570. Here is our selection of top French Christmas markets to visit this winter.


Strasbourg

Alsace is home to over 35 Christmas market with the most spectacular "Christkindelsmärik" taking place in Strasbourg outside its landmark gothic cathedral. The stalls sell Bredele (festive Alsatian biscuits), other local produce, Christmas decorations and local crafts. The market has not only an Alsatian influence, but Germanic too; this makes it a very special place to visit at Christmas time. Marked by the scents of gingerbread, sweets, roasted chestnuts, cinnamon and mulled wine, the market is very atmospheric. Taking place from 28th November to 30th December.

Paris

The capital city has several Christmas markets in the lead up to Christmas. The main ones are Les Halles and La Defense, but spectacular markets also take place at Montparnasse, Place St-Sulpice and Noisy le Grand.

Les Halles: This famous Christmas market is set amongst the twinkling Christmas lights and decorations of Paris city centre. It is a traditional Christmas market, which attracts visitors from all over France who take the opportunity to do their Christmas shopping here.

La Defense: 25th November until 27th December. The Christmas market stalls at La Defense sell everything from crepes to roasted chestnuts, wood carvings to glass ornaments. There is live musical entertainment and even a large ice rink to delight children and entice visitors to take to the ice.

Lille

Lille is the first Christmas market to open each year, and the town transforms into a winter wonderland. On Place Rihour more than 80 chalets sell gifts, nativity figurines, Christmas decorations and festive food. You can find regional specialities as well as arts and crafts from Russia, Poland and Québec. On the Grand Place a 50 metre high big wheel stands majestically to offer visitors splendid views across the city.
Taking place from November 18th to 30th December.

Avignon

The Christmas market in Avignon takes place on the Place de l’horloge, in the heart of the city. Over 60 chalets sell gifts, decorations and food to celebrate Christmas and the New Year. Father Christmas has his own house with santons (traditional animated figures). Entertainment and parades take place throughout the Christmas period to accompany the market and the town is adorned in twinkling lights and dazzling decorations. Open everyday from 26th November to 2nd January.

Bordeaux

Under the illuminated trees of Les Allées de Tourny square, in the city centre, Bordeaux Christmas market takes place with a vast array of log cabins. Free sleigh rides and a visit to Father Christmas are just some of the events the children can look forward to. With the sound of Christmas carols and laughing children, Bordeaux city centre becomes a magical fairy tale. Open from the 26th November to the 30th December. Note Bordeaux is an 1 1/2 hours drive from Maison No.20.


Toulouse

The Christmas market is held in December in the very heart of Toulouse at the famous Place du Capitole. Chalets will provide visitors young and old with a feast for the eyes and taste-buds. Father Christmas can be found among the chalets, handing out sweets and other treats to children – the lucky ones will even get a chance to have their photo taken with him. Visitors can also admire a traditional Provençal nativity scene, marvel at the fairylike decorations in the Henri IV courtyard and take a stroll through the streets of Toulouse under the Christmas lights. The market is open from the 17th to the 20th December. Note Toulouse is a 2 hour drive from Maison No. 20.

Laon

The medieval hilltop town of Laon, which was the ancient capital of France between 7th to 11th centuries, is a magical setting for its Christmas market which takes place each year outside the Notre Dame cathedral. Its annual Christmas market includes a winter braderie with 40 different stalls offering food, drink, local delicacies and arts and crafts. For children the fun at the Laon Christmas Market includes a merry-go-round, a sledge set up in the cathedral square and a Father Christmas. The Laon Christmas market is taking place on various dates, including 6th December, 7th December and the 10th – 12th December. Further information

Mulhouse

The Christmas market of Mulhouse takes place in the heart of the city on the Place de la Réunion. This main market, together with smaller offshoots in surrounding squares and museums, offers a wide range of high quality products and gastronomic delights. The Mulhouse Christmas market is also unique in the fact that every year, the Land of Carols and Fabrics designs a Christmas fabric inspired by the collections kept at the Museum of Printing Fabrics. The fabric dresses the City Hall and façades of the Place de la Réunion, the pedestrian streets and chalets on the Christmas market. Taking place from the 24th November to the 27th December.

Montbéliard

From November 29th to December 24th, Montbéliard is illuminated by thousands of lights which provide the perfect backdrop to its Christmas market. Nestled near St Martin Church, the oldest protestant church in France (1601), about a hundred craftsmen offer gifts, flavours and scents. The town comes alive as musicians and artists perform on the streets. The wooden chalets are crammed with tasty produce and lovely craft products. Christmas decorations, figurines, wooden toys, candles, fine lace, jewels, soft fabrics and much more are available to purchase at the market.

Marché de Noël/Christmas market

This is a Christmas Market not to be missed.....

12 & 13 December 2009
10h - 18h at the fabulous Château
Saussignac