French Culture Site
	Melissa Demiguel BellaOnline's French Culture Editor

A Coastal Franco-American Wedding
The azure waters of Bretagne provided a fantastical backdrop for the poetic outdoor ceremony where we exchanged vows. A melange of American and French traditions our wedding was unforgettable for both parties.

Arts de la Rue - France's Street Arts Festivals
Arts de la Rue is one of my favorite festivals of the year where acrobats, dancers, dreamers, musicians and theatre troupes join forces for the space of a weekend. These free street arts festivals demonstrate existence of the surreal in the hearts of the French. Indulge yourself.

Carnaval Souvenir in Saguenay [offsite link]
Since 1961, the Carnaval Souvenir has been held in a valley crossed by three rivers. Once the fur route´s major trading post, it is today the site of one of Quebec province´s winter carnivals which features costume-clad townspeople who simulate the lifestyles of their 19th century ancestors.

Chorus, A Festival for the Suits
A mysterious tent crops up on the plaza below the Arch de la Defence on the dawn of spring. Part circus, part saloon, it serves as home to the Chorus Festival, a two-week series of concerts. I arrived with the afternoon draw of suits and stayed around to see B.B. Brunes close the night.

Christmas in Paris
December is a wander through the chalets of a Marche de Noel and a peek into the department store windows on Boulevard Haussmann. Here are the ways we get in the Christmas spirit.

Festival International de Louisiane [offsite link]
The largest free outdoor music event in the world dedicated to Francophones, this festival features performers from Africa, Canada, the Caribbean, Europe, and the U.S. With visual, culinary and performing arts offerings, it´s no wonder performers want to make it to this party!

Fete de Ganesh
To honor the elephant-headed god Ganesh, devotees chant and dance in the streets carrying flags, wearing totems of fruit and feather, and balancing candles atop heads. Shopkeepers prepare alters and swathe the parade route in garlands of flowers.

Jardins Jardin – How to Cultivate an Urban Garden
How to create an urban garden answered by Paris’ landscape architects and exterior designers in a dozen ephemeral vignettes that cropped up for the Jardins Jardin festival in the Tuileries.

Jazz in Juan - Evolution in Jazz Paradise
To the purist’s discontent the definition of jazz has expanded to include nearly every other genre of music and the festival in Juan les Pins is no exception. It is a place the artists call paradise, where the crowd watches through parasol pine trees and the ocean sets the tempo.

Les Journees du Patrimoine
During the space of a weekend in September the public is invited to share in France’s patrimonial richness for les Journees du Patrimoine. Given an open sesame to access secret gardens and hotels particuliers in Paris, I opted to visit the Palais d l’Elysee and Palais Royal.

Montreal´s Largest Outdoor Winter Event [offsite link]
You can get a bit of French culture without ever leaving the continent. Consider visiting Montreal in the winter when the city hosts La Fete des Neiges de Montreal, over three consecutive weekends beginning Jan. 24, 2004. Snowball contests even make their way into this festival!

Quebec City Summer Festival [offsite link]
Quebec is North America´s oldest French city, and for the past 35 years it´s hosted a summer musical and artistic celebration unique among the festivals of the world. "This major showcase for planetary culture offers the opportunity to explore trends and traditions in music, enjoy exhilarating performances, and bask in an unforgettably festive atmosphere." Find out all about the 2003 Quebec City Summer Festival on its official web site.

Spring Brings Roland Garros - The French Open
Even the cheapest tickets to Roland Garros afford an intimate view. The “Allez!” of encouragement abounds like birdsong as Lacoste-suited officials and thin-armed ball boys scuttle to set the stage on the powdery red clay court. Here are a few tips for passing a Spring day at the French open.

The Bataille des Fleurs Parade
Marching bands serenade showers of carnations and roses at Antibes’ Battle of Flowers.

Winterlude in Ottawa [offsite link]
The Outaouais region lures almost 3/4 million visitors to its annual Winterlude festival, now celebratin its 26th year. Skate on the world´s longest ice skating rink, watch professional ice carvers, and see ice skating shows.

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