Make sure you bring and carry all your ID cards

Every ID card is important, for different reasons
It's common sense, but needs to be emphasised, that when you are travelling abroad you should be insured against accident or ill health. You will obviously have car insurance if travelling by car, and other travel insurance for flights or ferries.

And most important, before you set off on your holidays in France, or other European countries, you should have the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). This is the new card that replaced the E111 Form.

The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC)

The EHIC covers treatment needed during a trip due to either illness or accident. This includes treatment for chronic conditions, pre-existing conditions and routine maternity care, although some conditions apply and you should check with the Department of Health. The card gives access to free or low-cost emergency medical treatment, which will be delivered under the state health system in the country that you are visiting.

You can apply for a card (or renew an expired card) online at the NHS choices website by clicking here >

https://www.ehic.org.uk/Internet/home.do

Always carry your insurance papers with you - you never know when you might need them! And always carry your identity papers, including driving license; in many countries it's required by law.

This reminds me that in the UK the debate rumbles on about identity cards. So much time given in Parliament and the newspapers debating what is seen in other countries as a non-issue. In France you must carry your ID card and Driving Permit ALL the time. The Gendarmerie carry out random roads checks all the time and if they stop you they will ask to see your driving licence.

The Gendarmerie carry out many random roadside checks

In France no one feels in doing so that they have surrendered their liberty. It's just another card to carry, like the Visa Card or MasterCard when you do the shopping. I'm sure that people in the UK must feel the same when they leave home to do the shopping - they take the same cards with them - why not an ID card also, like we do?

My husband David is more than happy to take all his cards with him when he leaves the house. Especially now, as he has just received his new version of a very important ID card - the new Carte Vitale. This important ID card guarantees immediate and superb health treatment when produced. It is shown all the time when visiting doctors, pharmacies, hospitals etc. In addition to the computer chip that contains important personal and medical data (as did his old card), his new one now has a passport style photo embedded, so people can easily recognise the card holder. Although, "comme habitude", David says the photo makes him look like an escaped criminal.

Some of David's ID cards - carried ALL the time, no problem!

The UK should introduce this system - no one in France would dream of being without this valuable card and carry it with all their other ID cards - and no one feels that their liberties are at risk by carrying them.

Surely, at times like this there are much more important matters to discuss than whether ID cards violate personal freedoms - such as when do we go to France for our next holiday?

Saturday in Pézenas at holiday time

Another busy Saturday market in Pézenas

Saturday, and as usual the busy market place in Pézenas was jam-packed. People busy buying their fruit and vegetables, and hundreds (it seemed like thousands) of tourists making their way up and down Cours Jean Jaurès, the main market street.

There is a wide variety of produce to choose from; oysters from two fish stalls, a colourful setting of plants and flowers nearby, ripe fruit, appealing to all the senses, fresh vegetables, and all of which look as if they have just been dug from someone's garden. None of your regimented shape and colour pre-pack supermarket veg. here. No sir, this is the real stuff! All this from the many stalls packed around the statue of Marianne with her dolphin fountains in the main square.

At the other end of the long market street, a different set of produce to set taste buds tingling. Stalls selling a wide range of olives and spices - taste the different varieties and you will be hooked, stalls with fresh fish, meats from the mobile vans that travel from village to village selling their produce, freshly baked country breads - look at the different sizes and shapes they bake, and the smell of meats and other meals cooking, ready to buy and take home, from paellas to couscous and Beouf Bourguignon.

Mouth watering ready-to-eat meals available on the market...

This is a holiday maker's paradise. And of course, because it's July, the market is packed. Pézenas really puts on a show to ensure people have a holiday they will remember. During the summer months they have several events and shows each week, all to make the holidays complete.


This year is the 43rd Mirondela des Arts, the collective name for all the events organised in Pézenas. Starting July 5 with a big street parade, the cultural events unfold each week. This week there is a comedy show "Les Chevaliers du Fiel", and a fantastic night of flamenco, with "Jazzing Flamenco", performed in the open air theatre. This is a programme full of events, with something to please everyone who takes a holiday in the Pézenas area this summer.

A holiday treat for Rugby League followers

Photo shows Catalan Dragons at their play-off match against Wigan Warriors

We have several friends who are involved in the tourist industry in one way or another. A few have holiday properties and this week David was intrigued to learn from two friends that they had received booking enquiries from Yorkshire from people who wanted to stay so they could watch the Catalans Dragons Rugby League team.

(As a note, the Catalans Dragons - occasionally referred to as the Dragons or Les Catalans, are based in Perpignan in what is essentially northern Catalonia. They play in both the European Super League and the French Rugby League Championship. In 2007 the Dragons became the first French side and first non-English side to reach the final of the Challenge Cup, playing St Helens at Wembley Stadium before a record crowd - for a French team, of over 84,000.)

Of course David was intrigued as once upon a time he was a keen Rugby League fan, following Castleford, his favourite team. He soon learned that Hull FC Rugby League team are playing against the Dragons, not at the Dragon's home ground in Perpignan, but much closer to us (we live in Montblanc) at the Stade de la Méditerranée in Béziers.

The Stade de la Méditerranée in Béziers

This is not the first time the Dragons have played a 'home game' at a different venue to their home ground. Last year they played Warrington Wolves in the Olympic Stadium in the Catalan capital, Barcelona, Spain.

I did tell you in the last two postings that in this part of the south of France there is a strong association with all things Catalan / Spanish, particularly the closer you get to the frontier with Spain, and of course, Perpignan, around one hour away from us, is so close to the frontier.

A poster for the game - the city of Béziers is advertising the game widely

I write this posting because David asked me to, not just for the Rugby league match, which he says is very important for many people in the UK, particularly where rugby league is played and enjoyed, but also because the match takes place during the most important week in Béziers calendar - on Saturday August 15. This is the Féria week, a mix of all things French and Catalan, a must see when taking holidays in this area, and an event that attracts between 700,000 to 900,000 visitors. I will write more on this in my next post.

Fête Nationale - the celebrations continue

July 14, and Montblanc celebrates Bastille Day
When you plan your holidays in France for next year, then, for something extra special, try to arrange the dates around July 14. This is of course the National Day, the day (s) when France celebrates being France. Certainly here in the south of France, it is non-stop party celebrations, with yet another opportunity for the French people to enjoy life to the full.

In my last posting I explained the events on the eve of National Day, which for my village was a huge barbeque and dancing in the village picnic area. Our village of Montblanc is no different from other villages in the area, each having their own beautiful way of celebrating Bastille Day.

But of course, the real event is Tuesday July 14. The day starts with the obligatory Pentanque Final, Final, in front of the Mairie, play commencing at 9.00am, and finishing at 13.00 with a huge paella royale - everyone invited.

Café de France used to dry and gardianne toro

The activities start again at 19h, with a meal organized by the Café de France, the village bar and cafe. The meal is served on the main market street, opposite the Cafe de France, with seating arranged around the music stage, already festooned with lighting, flags and bunting. There is melon and prosciutto, then a choice between dry or gardianne de toro, followed by fruit salad. By the time the meal is served the place is full, with hundreds of people sat in groups busy chatting with friends and neighbors and enjoying a glass (or two) of our best rosé wine village.

David takes this photo of our table as we sit with friends and neighbors

Festival fireworks
After the meal, a slow walk to our football field for a grand firework display. This is a must for everyone, so seats are left unattended so everyone can enjoy the show - with the obligatory Ooooh and Aaah as each rocket burst fills the sky.

The fireworks being watch at the entrance to the football field

Torches
At the end of the display adults and children alike are given their torches - a medieval type blazing torch. Willing volunteers are quick to assemble the torch and make sure they are lit.

Police and brass band
Then, patiently waiting until everyone has their flame ready in their hand, people crowd onto hand and Béziers Cap d'Agde road and walk slowly back to the village, escorted by the village police car, with it's newly bought blue flashing lights on top. Behind the police because there is a local jazz brass band, playing slow marching music to liven things up. It's a ten minute walk back to the village square, plenty of time to catch up with other friends that you had not seen during the meal, and to give the customary "kiss-kiss-kiss" on the cheeks, with a good greeting of "hello" or "good evening".

The brass jazz band leading villagers back to The Place

Music for the evening
Arriving at the Place, the group Providing the evening's entertainment are already making music. But, they stop for a break as the mayor asks everyone to stand and sing the La Marseillaise - the national anthem. This is a really beautiful moment for me, to see everyone standing, most people singing, and everyone feeling proud as the national anthem plays.

Then, on with the music - and the dancing, and of course, more wine to help spend an eventful evening together with our friends.

The group "Cocktail Music" on stage at The Place

A little bit of Spain and France mixed together
There is one more event to mark the end of the day, the "Toro de Fuego".

A bit of history to explain. Years ago, this part of France was part of Spain, or rather Catalonia, a country on its own. At one time stretched from the Catalonia capital Barcelona to Nimes, the language was Catalan - still spoken by many in our village, and the customs and culture were not what you would call typically French, rather Spanish. Today, everyone enjoys this mix of French and Spanish, and the Toro de Fuego helps keep up the traditional mix - as does the paella served at most events in the village.

So, at midnight, the Toro - a 'bull' decorated with loads of fireworks, struts slowly down the main village street in tune to the music played by the group on the stage. This is the time to take cover, and hide from the bull, as are spluttering fireworks, exploding and spraying all over the place.


It could be quit dangerous I guess. David is me this would not be allowed in the UK on health and safety grounds. But I think it's good fun - and you would hide from a real bull in the street just as I am doing now. In reality the bull is man-made and is held high by one of our local fire fighters, and for sure, all the village fire fighting team - including para-medics, and here as well, just in case.

Then as the partying continued until the early hours, people slowly drift away after another enjoyable National Day. As I said at the beginning on the post, try to make your summer holiday with week containing July 14. It is extra special. However, if that's not possible, you have the rest of the summer and this is the start of all the village events, continuing thro 'July, August into September.

Fête Nationale, the celebrations start

Holiday barbecue picnic by the river Thongue

As expected, and as predicted in the last posting, this will be an exceptionally busy week. The holiday season is now in full swing and of course, Tuesday this week is Fête Nationale, the biggest celebration period of the year.

As a French person the period always brings out pride and good feelings about my country. It has everything to offer citizens and this day is a way to celebrate being French.

In real term this means many, many events to attend, people to meet and generally have set out determined to have a good time. There is a good feeling of national pride but certainly not nationalistic in the worst sense of the word.

Throughout the country the celebrations differ from region to region. Of course the capital is home to the big parades, with the president taking the salute as troops from all regiments proudly march past. And of course, night time is given to the Eiffel tower with what has to be the biggest and best firework display.

Village festivities in Languedoc-Roussillon

Closer to home, in my region of Languedoc-Roussillon, every town and village have their days of festivities, with streets festooned with red white and blue bunting, tricolour flags flying everywhere, and people getting ready to take to the streets to have their parties.

Here in my village of Montblanc, the celebrations started Sunday, with the final championship petanque games on La Place outside the Mairie. This always causes excitement and plenty of heated discussion. On the eve of Fête National, Monday, we really take to the streets. After crowds gather in front of the Mairie to be given their own French Flag, there is a leisurely walk through the village. This gives friends and neighbours time to meet, talk and generally catch up with the gossip and news. And as this is holiday time, there are always plenty of foreign holiday makers - British, Irish, German, and Dutch - from all parts of the world, who are encouraged to join in the celebrations. This is a wonderful time to spend a holiday in the south of Fance and to join in the fun and excitement.

The walk is punctured with regular scheduled stops at the homes of the village councillors. The tradition is for a selection of around six councillors to have 'open-door' and provide nibbles and wine for the assembly, all set up on trestle tables outside their home.

The barbecue picnic down by the river

The walk continues and villagers thread their way eventually to the large picnic at the side of the River Thongue. This is a huge area, with purpose built barbecue are for anyone to use at anytime. As usual the council have erected a stage with full stage lighting and set up tables and chairs for the village to enjoy music and dancing. And of course the barbecue!

Some of the town hall team volunteer to cook what appears to be hundreds of kilos of plump, ripe sausages. Certainly not the British sausages I tasted once. Ughh! These are pure pork "saucisse de Toulouse" made by the local butcher.

One batch of saucisse de Toulouse being cooked on one of the large barbecue frames

No soft doughy finger cakes for these sausages. They deserve the very best French Baguettes, baked on the day by our local baker. All this with the best rose and red wine provided by our local Cave Co-operative, and all given freely for everyone to enjoy.

Me and Alain getting the fresh baquettes ready from the Town Hall van

Then, once everyone has settled down, it's music time, with a local group providing the entertainment - a mixture of popular English and French music. Just right for dancing the night away, not forgetting that the celebrations continue the next day. More about that later...

The music and dancing starts

Tour de France 2009

Watching Stage 5 in Bessan
This has been an extremely busy, hectic week - and next week promises to be even busier. That's when France stops and French people take time off to enjoy being French -it's National Holiday (Fête National - Bastille Day). Although Tuesday is the official holiday the celebrations always start the day before, with many events taking place on the eve of Fête National - concerts, dances, fireworks, meals with friends and neighbours... And of course there will be many French people who "fait de pont" - make a bridge day, or finished early on Friday to make the holiday weekend last longer

Here in the village preparations are now complete, with a vast stage erected on the place, the main street decorated with red, white and blue bunting, and the tricolour flag in place at every conceivable place (we have ours already on show at the gate!).

But, that is for tomorrow, and hopefully I will have time to tell you more about this next week.

The news for this week is the Tour de France. For this event I encouraged my husband David - who loves cycling, to take a day out from work, and watch the tour in reality, rather than on the television he normally sticks on his desk in the office as he works.

We live in Montblanc, and the tour was scheduled to go through our neighbouring village, Bessan, which is an excellent location to view the spectacle. The tour's start (Stage 5) wasn't so far away either, starting from Cap d'Agde, which is around 12 kms from our home. So Wednesday we packed a cool box and joined with thousands of others lining the streets and roads in the next village. In addition to local people, the village was packed with tourists from all over the world - many people arrange their holidays in France to coincide with the Tour de France!).

We made an early start to make sure we had a good position near the Bessan Cave Co-operative (home to David's favourite Rose wine). This is also a place where the cyclists have to slow to make the turn around the roundabout as they head towards Béziers, so a good chance to see all the riders as they flash past.

The crowds started to gather early to get a good view

To really enjoy the tour you do need to be there early so you can join in the excitement as the caravan passes. The caravan is a 20 kms long cavalcade of around 200 publicity cars, trucks and motor bikes that travel before the cyclists. They pass very quickly, but as there are so many it can take over an hour. Spectators are given a free show of the publicity machines - vehicles converted into all type of shapes and different sizes to advertise particular services or products. Horses on top of cars to advertise PMU, giant cows advertising cheese (Vache qui rit - the Laughing Cow) on top of vans, girls dressed out in familiar white and red spotted costumes to advertise Carrefour (was Champion) supermarkets, etc. Whilst passing, loads of freebies are thrown into the crowds - sun hats, sun cream (necessary!), lollipops from Haribo, T-shirts, free newspapers, anything to grab your attention.

Young enthusiasts study the route

There is a lull as the long caravan finishes and excitement builds up as people wait patiently from the main event.

The arrival of a motorcade with over 50 cars, each with what seem to be twenty spare cycles strapped to their roof, is the first signal that the riders are coming, and the signal is made stronger with the sight of some 30 gendarmerie motorbikes, each with the lights blazing and many with their blues flashing.

Moments later they come. At this stage the tête (the head, or the first bunch of cyclists) consists of four cyclists only. My husband David had quickly moved to a slightly different position so that he can take better photos as the cyclists flash by.

The leading riders as they go towards Béziers

You have to be quick as a few seconds later the Peleton - the main group of riders, is in front of you. They speed past, with David cramming in as many photos as possible. Then, in minutes, it's all over. They are gone, making their way to Béziers, and then onwards to Perpignan for the finish of this stage, altogether some 200 kms. A good day out, brilliant sunshine, a picnic with good food and wine, and a spectacular event.

As a foot note, although I am French, my husband is British so he takes particular note of the British riders. He was really pleased to see that two days earlier Mark Cavendish (GB) won Stage 3, and as I post this, I am being told that Bradley Higgins (GB) is also doing exceptionally well, and is currently in 5th overall position.