Every year in June/July the city of Reims hosts a music festival. For about a month you can attend music concerts at different venues in Reims. Some concerts are free, some you have to pay for. It caters for all tastes. The highlight for most people is certainly the picnic with a jazz concert at the Parc the Champagne, for some people it is about the picnic, for some about the jazz and for some about both. The park was created in 1907 by the grandson of Veuve (widow) Pommery (Pommery is one of the big champagne houses in Reims). We love to go, JL for both reasons and me for the picnic, although I am busy improving my culture on jazz...
You have to arrive early to ensure that you find a nice spot to put your blanket (some people even bring picnic tables and chairs) and not to be too close to the speakers
As it is geting dark, the organisers start walking around with boxes filled with candles, handing it out for free to everyone who wants (and as many as they want, some people making beautiful candle light displays on the edge of their blankets)
By the time it is dark (quite late) there's a wonderful atmosphere with all the candle lights everywhere
The evening ends with a stunning firework display (unfortunately our camera doesn't take great pictures in the dark, but it will give you an idea...)
For the 14th of July, their National day, we've departed to Fouras to visit JL's family. Unfortunately we forgot the camera that evening at home, as there was a wonderful show with the fort as the backdrop. They love their 'sound and light' shows in France. The evening ended of with another firework display that went on and on and on. At the same time one could see the firework displays taking place on the islands around, île d'Oleron, île d'Aix, île de Ré. The atmosphere I cannot describe - you'll have to come and experience it yourselves!!
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