Fete des Fleurs - Flower Festival

Flower Festival

May is a favorite month of mine, it’s the month we honor and celebrate our Mama, Mom, Mommy, Mother dearest whatever name we call our mothers or being a Mother ourselves in Canada, it’s the beginning of the garden planting season, barbecuing, camping and we start thinking about all the outdoor things to do after our winter hibernation and it’s also my birth month.

Mother’s Day in France is the first weekend in June.

This past week on one of the many holidays in France during the month of May, Ascension Day the17^th of May we were entertained at the “Fetes des Fleurs” which was held at the lake in Cazals, a small village southwest of Gourdon.

For a Two-Euro entrance fee, we received a wonderful day of entertainment and shopping.

There was a band from Brittany dressed in traditional Breton costumes and playing and singing their music and songs.

We couldn’t believe the absolutely wonderful display of plants, flowers, bulbs, trees, and shrubs of every kind including many we have never seen before.

If we were staying longer in France or just starting our 3-month adventure now, we may have spent quite a bit of money on plants for our little garden at the Petit Gite; but we restrained ourselves as we only have less than two weeks left.

Our friends, C & B from Prayssac who we spent the day with, came away with many flowers for their garden containers. The trunk of the car was full.

In addition, there were many other vendors with various wares, from outdoor furnishings, soaps, clothing, jewelry, wines, etc.  We bought an apertif wine, which we sampled in our melons for lunch.

There was also a zoo with a variety of animals. 

For the children and parents alike, there were train rides and some of the passengers were Teddy Bears and Rabbits. 

There also was a Disneyland Carousel with the usual characters including Mickey Mouse.

Lively music was playing, there were beer booths actually wine booths if you needed some refreshments; and if you wanted a traditional French lunch you could have eaten a 3-course meal here for 20 Euros wine included.

We passed on this option because we had reservations for a celebratory dinner later this evening at Café La Promenade in Gourdon.

Before dinner, in the late afternoon sunshine the guys made use of the loungers in our little garden.

This was a great choice, this is what we call our “Home” café, as it is just around the corner and we have become friends with the owners and staff over our time here.

Tonight, we celebrated my birthday here and enjoyed a wonderful meal prepared by chef, Franck.

We started with a French aperitif called Kir, a champagne based drink…compliments of the house.

The entrée was a “Tartare de tomates et courgettes”….delicious and light…a marinated tomato and zucchini salad finely chopped and decorated with thinly sliced red onions.

For the main courses, the selection was varied….

The Chef’s suggestion for the fish course was “Salmon stuffed with  "Cepes" a variety of Mushrooms” served with zucchini and rice…this is what I had.

The men chose the Rack of Lamb with Garlic... honey finally got his lamb and was very satisfied with his choice.

Our friend, C chose the “Gambas and St. Jacques Brochette” (Shrimp & Scallop Skewer); which chef Franck always recommends and I can attest to that it is a very delicious dish.

Dessert choices were offered and today’s suggestion was a Strawberry & Chantilly and Pastry dish …which I chose.

Much to my surprise it was presented at the table with a candle and the waitresses, Jenn & Roxane singing “Happy Birthday”  and others joining in  - singing and clapping. 

We then moved from the dining room to the bar area for an after dinner digestive…the men declined but my friend, C and I indulged in a Cointreau on the Rocks.

Thank you Jean- Jacques, Pascale, chef Franck and Jenny and Roxane for making this a special evening that I will always remember.

Thank you C & B for a great day!

If  you are ever in Gourdon you should try this  Hotel- Restaurant-Bar

http://www.lapromenadegourdon.fr/