A French Village Christmas

 

My first Christmas in Argeles-sur-mer in the early 90s there was nothing showing that indicated there would be a major holiday: nada, rien, not even a candle in a window. 

Four decades later, ASM has become a December wonderland. All the village center streets are under a canopy of fairy lights. Decorated trees are outside each store. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jDjY2q5VCzo is a video and if you watch it, I suggest you fast forward for the highlights. 

There were carols last night at Place de Gambetta (end of video), but our Swiss friends were at the door and talking to them over a cup of tea was far more important. We have shared so much over the years, concerts, meals, museums, picnics. We have ongoing jokes about sandwiches and snails. 

Although we missed the caroling, what a pleasure to walk among the chalets serving vin chaud, hot chocolate barbe de papa, tapas. I loved seeing children getting their faces painted, as they chatted with Pére Noêl in his hooded long red robe.

We know so many people in the village: neighbors both Catalan and French and people with second homes from Denmark, Sweden, Switzerland, England, Scotland, Ireland, Germany, etc. Many came for the holidays and were out and about. 

Rue de la Liberation was filled with old-fashioned wooden games, boxes with things to build, bowl, catch. Neither Rick nor I hit more than one peg with the rope circle, but the colored car race in colored lanes, I won hands down. I do need to confess it was because my dice throws were five and sixes while Rick's throws were much smaller. What fun, a highlight in an already extra good day.

The roasted chestnut man, scooped my order into a newspaper-decorated cone. A great hand warmer, but also a treat to eat when we got home. Geneva has chestnut sellers sprinkled on many of the city streets, but roasted chestnuts here are rare, making it an extra special treat.

Europe has huge Christmas markets in Frankfort, Strasbourg, Munich, Stuttgart. Here's a list https://europe.stripes.com/lifestyle/holidays/christmas-markets-europe.html Granted, the Argelès one is minuscule in comparison, but to stick my head out my door and be in this fairyland, is wonderful.