Festivals and some other events in the calendar worth considering

There are many fetes and festivals happening in the Tarn each year. Each village has its own set of festivals, so with dozens of villages surrounding Cordes Sur Ciel, there are festivals virtually every weekend from May to October.

The plethora of Gaillac Vineyards bring a host of events through the year, throughout the region,  from the new wine festivals in November, to Spring-time fairs and gatherings and summer tastings. Look out for those taking place during your stay.

 FRENCH PUBLIC HOLIDAYS 2012

1 January - New Year's Day - Jour de l'an
2 January - Public holiday in lieu of New Year's Day

8 April - Easter Sunday - Paques
9 April - Easter Monday - Lundi de Paques
1 May - Labour Day - Fête du Travail
8 May - VE Day - Fête de la Victoire 1945
17 May Ascension Day - Ascension catholique
27 May - Pentecost Sunday (Whit Sunday) - Pentecote
28 May- Pentecost Monday - Pentecote
3 June - Mother's Day (France, not UK) 

14 July - Bastille Day - France's National holiday - Fête national
15 August - Day of Assumption - Assomption
1 November - All Saints' Day - Toussaint
11 November - Armistice Day - Armistice 1918
12 November - Public holiday in lieu of Armistice Day

25 December - Christmas Day - Noël

From April onwards, throughout the summer season there will be guided tours of 'Medieval Cordes' by guides in costumes, every Saturday and Sunday at 3pm starting at the Grand Hall at the top of Cordes.

April

Fete du Responchons (Wild Asparagus) 8th April - Easter Sunday

Wild Asparagus Tart is all part of the communal banquet at lunchtime in the Grand Hall at the top of Cordes.

All welcome, no reservation needed.

Fete du Printemps - Spring Festival - Saturday and Sunday 28-29th

Annual opening of the Jardin de Paradis (just 100m from Le Chevalier Noir!).

May

Museum D'Art Moderne - 19th May

Opening of an exhibition by Annie Baratz.

June

Vide Grenier (literally translated as "empty your attic"). 10th June

Annual car-boot type sale at the sports ground in Cordes.

In aid of the local volunteer fire brigade.

Museum d'Art Moderne - 23rd June onwards

Exhibition of work of Andre Mimiague

Debussy Concert - 23rd June

Nature in Pictures - Location to be advised.

July

CORDES MEDIEVAL FESTIVAL - 14th July  & 15th July

Join us this July for the Fetes Medievales du Grand Fauconnier, and participate in the festival with its mixture of formal and informal music-making for singers and instrumentalists, watch displays of medieval craftwork and life.

Over a long weekend in the middle of July, the people of Cordes and the outlying villages transform themselves into knights, fine ladies, bloody merceneries, jugglers, fire-throwers, dancers, jesters and monks. There is eben a leper walking around (in costume!!).

There are horses, donkeys, dogs and birds. There are games, danced and authentic music accompanied by plenty of beer and wine! In the main square at the top of the town, you can go into the stocks, try your hand at calligraphy using authentic quills and visit exhibitions of toolmaking, carpentry, masonry and handicrafts.

And in the evening, you can attend a medieval banquet with all the locals. Great fun!.

The following day, the procession through the city by the Dauphin takes place all over again but by early evening the town is restored to its former hush.

You can hire your costumes locally during the previous week from the Costumerie which is about 60 yards from Le Chevalier Noir.

Open Air Cinema - 4th July

In Les Cabannes, just a 5-10 minute walk from Le Chevalier Noir.

Obviously this is during the late evening.

5th International Poety Festival - 10-11th July

Several locations in Cordes.

41st Music Festival of Cordes - 18th - 26th July

Mainly at night in the church of Cordes.

Night market in Lower Cordes - 17th and 31st July

From 6pm, market plus communal meal and live music.

August

Open Air Cinema - 1st, 15th and 29th August

In Les Cabannes - late evening

Car Tourist Rally in countryside around Cordes - 5th August

Meet at Sports Stadium between 8-9am.

Night Market in Lower Cordes - 7th and  13th August

From 6pm, market plus communal meal and music.

September

Festival de la Bonne Vie - 9th September

Cordes in the Grand Hall. Mid-day banquet without need to make a reservation.

Festival de la Gastronomie - 22nd September

Part of pan-France festival of food and drink.

www.cuisineries-gourmandes.com for information and programme.

October

Autumn Festival - 6-7th Ocotber

Jardin des Paradis - lots to see and do before the garden closes for the winter.

Traditional pre-Christmas 'Advent'market in the Haut Ville - 2nd December

Other events

To be added when events & dates become known.