Lezignan-Corbieres summer fete and county show

The closest event to Le spectacle for us in France would be a county show

As Sunday 12th June had all the promise of a hot summers afternoon we found ourselves queuing to park at the airfield of Lézignan-Corbières. Most, if not all outside events in France are well supported by the local populous and judging by the extensive car parks, almost at overflow, today was to be no exception.


Title: Languedoc-Roussillon flag

Walking in to the show we stopped to admire the arena of trained pet dogs. No obstacle course here, instead dogs trained to interact with their trainers as they danced a simple routine. The music prompted a well rehearsed canine routine.

Next up was the oversized tractors that would throw fear to any one of the thousands of attending drivers that would eventually be gridlocked behind such monstrous mechanisms of agricultural necessity.


Title: Agricultural tractor

Deep in the trees, and unostentatious as a flag can be, is the Languedoc Flag. Fluttering over all that represents a little of life today in this hidden corner of France.

The local radio station had as it’s headquarters an up-market caravan, with terrace! The terrace was unpopulated which is what one would expect from an invisible talking show. Of course the loud speakers bore witness to some hidden DJ that seemed to be more intent on driving the public away, instead of caressing them with music to make them linger. But no one seemed to care.

We then happened upon a local sculptor who had set up a bench and tools to teach children the fundamentals of stone carving. Stone Chisels and hammers! Have these people never heard of health and safety? What a relief being in a country where one is treated as an individual, and dare I say it, adult. (even though these 10 somethings were only just on their way).


Title: Kids carving stone

An iron monger had set up shop with display works and a work-shop including furnace.
several mongers were hard at their trade with red hot segments of steel destined for new creations that would probably cost an arm and a lead weight.


Title: Iron monger shaping steel

We ambled on to the various tented enclosures promoting their own particular wares. Some of the most excellent wines produced in the area, local and characteristic honey’s, cheese from both goats and cows milk, breads that bear the trade mark of distinction from the local Boulangerie. Olives from all denominations and mouth watering tapenade’s. In fact all that was created by a French artisan was represented here. In true county show tradition, bullocks and sheep represented their products from admiration to tomorrows diner!


Title: Jars of Olives

An unusual creator of candles presented what must be a unique form of lilies with every colour and combination of colours except white, which is probably the one we would have bought!


Title: Lilly candles

Some gowned folk passed by preceded by three wandering minstrels. Everyone stood to one side and although this was another time and another century, it was the right place but the wrong time for any kind of inquisition. They passed by without event and, I kept my faith.


Title: Wandering minstrels

The abundant establishments that catered for that most favourite of French pastimes, food, were generously well populated from the simple cuisine to the more adventurous, accompanied of course by the obligatory glass of wine.

All of life was here and half the county, and all of life was buying something, or talking about buying something. We purchased cheese and wine. What else!

Related links :

• http://www.purefrance.com/languedoc-roussillon.php