It's Fete Votive Week in Sablet!

On Friday morning I spoke with a neighbor in Sablet who told me that the Fete Votive had begun, and the whole village was buzzing.  My mind started to wander back to the times that we have been in the village for the Fete Votive.  Kids with huge pink clouds of cotton candy lining up for rides, the village square dominated by a large stage where music and dance shows go on well into the night, the special dinners at local restaurants, capped off by the very special dinner - a Grand Aioli - it's so much fun.

Photograph: Office de Tourism - Sablet

What is a Fete Votive?  It is a festival that each village holds every year to honor its patron saint - although it has developed into more of a secular celebration of the village and its traditions that lasts for several days.

The village becomes a busy place during the week of the Fete Votive, with locals and visitors gathering to enjoy each others company and the entertainment.  Restaurants and cafes are filled each evening.

 Children enjoy a rides on the Bumper Cars as their parents listen to or dance to the lively music...

Here are the diehards ... these kids are back to the Bumper Cars in the morning as their parents come into the village for their fresh bread for breakfast!

Then .. another evening's entertainment begins ....

Everyone comes into the village during the Fete Votive ... including the cool kids!

As I thought about it, I thought about all the fun activities that take place during the Spring, Summer and Fall - the Brocantes, the Vide Greniers, the evening Artisnal Markets, the special dinners at the Cafe des Sports, the Restaurants in the Village and the Wineries, the Journee du Livres, the celebration of the Belle Epoque, the Tour de Sablet Bike Race (VTT), the Petanque Tournament, the Festival des Soupes in the Fall and so on.  The Office of Tourism in the village, Commercants and Association Sablet  do an incredible amount of work to make our village welcoming and fun.
It is well worth going to a Fete Votive if you are traveling in France and have the opportunity.  If you are traveling with  children, the Fete Votive is such a great time for the whole family.

 

I'll leave you with a short video of the music and dancing at a Fete Votive in Sablet!  

Bonne Fete a Tous!

Update from the 2014 Fete Votive in Sablet .... these superb the pictures were taken by our good friend and excellent photographer ........