However, it wasn't quite like that. For many French people, it is a long holiday break from work, and a chance to travel to the beach or another recreational destination. And it seems that the occasion is marked by many days and nights of celebratory events.
We began our "commemoration" with attendance at a folk dance in a nearby village, Breuil-Magne, which was presented in conjunction with their Fete du Pain (Festival of Bread.) After the performance residents and visitors followed the dancers and musicians through narrow streets to a field beyond the village, where the company made up of community members presented a dramatic vignette telling a story about the village grain miller.
The evening ended with an amazing fireworks display. It was beyond expectations. The displays were launched to music, and the intimacy, the sounds and the colorful array of fireworks directly above us was a magnificient spectacle!
That was only the first night of events for us. Sunday we returned to the Fete for hours of folk dance performances, food, artisans, games, and a tour of the communal bake ovens. There were agricultural displays reminiscent of a small county fair, and even an exhibit of the results of the bread baking attempts of local children.
On Monday, we joined two guests from the B & B for a picnic on the beach at Chatelaillon Plage. Of course, it was not your average picnic. We arrived around 10:00 p.m. and began with appertifs and a local wine called Pineau. Next we enjoyed salad Nicoise, cous cous with sardines, fresh cantaloup, all with a rose wine from the island of Ile de Re just off the coast from where we were sitting. For dessert we had a local sweet treat called a galette and chocolate with hazelnuts. It got dark as we concluded our meal just in time for a major fireworks display synced to themes from James Bond movies. It was totally successful.
Tuesday...off early to explore the Aunis Marais Poitevin, a region just north of here that is known for its network of canals. Also called Venice Vert (the Green Venice), it is one of the biggest marshes in Europe. We had a picnic at a roadside stop along one canal, we toured several villages including Arcais, Maillezais, and Coulon. We saw a working windmill, L'Abbaye du Marais, and crossed many canals with visitors biking and walking their paths, while others explored the waterways by kayak or row boats. It was another wonderful day.
Oh, by the way, we never heard any patriotic music. I was the only person dressed in red, white and blue. And I saw only one French flag displayed. So, I've concluded, it's a time for celebrating, but it's not like the 4th of July.
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