Letters: France’s traditional village fêtes are still alive and well

Connexion reader says the parties could easily run late into the night 

French flags at village party
Reader say that their village parties are still going strong

To the Editor,

I write regarding your columnist Nick Jenkins’ article complaining that the annual celebrations in his village feel increasingly sanitised and less traditional since Covid. 

My husband and I joined an association in our small village of about 480 permanent residents (plus plenty of second homes) which took over the organisation of events in the village.

The village has no shops or bars, not even a bakery. 

Ten years later and we have taken over the running of the organisation and now have a regular calendar of events, the largest being the 14 juillet meal. 

This year, some 130 people all sat down together at 13:00 and the diehard were still going as we cleared up around them at about 18:30. If it hadn’t been for the World Cup football match in the evening, it probably would have continued well into the night. 

So the village social event is alive and well!

Berni Beaumont, by email

To the Editor,

Nick Jenkins had better move to Manche in Normandy. 

Traditional village fêtes still abound here, not a food truck in sight! 

It is still the village women sorting the food, the village men BBQ-ing and serving at the bar.

Jane Purser, Manche, by email

Are you familiar with traditional village fêtes in France? Have they changed over the years? Let us know your experience via letters@connexionfrance.com