Written by Thomas Weber, J-1 Exchange Student
Our story begins on June 21 in Bordeaux. From then on, life will have a different taste until September. A taste of eternity, of the infinite, of the impossible. Freedom! The feeling that existence has a more intense meaning. Is it the sun? Is it the feeling of national unity? Or is it the absence of obligations and deadlines? The answer must surely be a mixture of all these.
So here we are, under 26 Bordeaux degrees, along the Garonne at around 7pm. The Pyrenean River listens to friendly discussions, accompanies family gatherings and reflects loving glances. It's an evening of sharing, a celebration. “La fête la musique”. That evening, the city of wine will sing as one. It will sing different songs, and in different streets and squares. Variety may flood the Place des Quinconces, while reggae takes over the Right Bank and rap livens up the Place Pey Berland. Strangers will unite for a song or two, with smiles, dances and lyrics known to all. June 21 is also the day on which the Sun stays with the French the longest. He chose his day well!
Music to listen to : France Gall - “Ella, elle l’a”
In summer, music is never far away, and neither is solidarity. That's why June 28, 29 and 30 are synonymous with “Paris”. A bet (“un pari” in French) ! To change the world through conviction and devotion. Putting all your faith and strength at the service of an enormous machine for creating memories: a festival. In this case, Solidays. 70 restaurants, 4,000 workers, 270,000 festivalgoers over 3 days and more than 80 concerts.
In the midst of all this, a young man makes his way across the grass of the Longchamp racecourse. What a sensation! A few hectares separate him from a moment that is more than expected and deserved: the evening of Saturday June 29. On the program were PLK and Diplo, but the real stars of the evening for him were 4 French students: Benjamin, Côme, Lou and Yoan. After months of internship at the festival, he's finally approaching this moment as his group approaches the main stage where PLK is about to perform. The show begins. After that, it's Diplo's turn to activate his turntables in front of a cheering crowd.
The evening is in full swing. The very essence of the event fades into the background. But the aim of the festival remains firmly in the young man's mind: to give his all in order to raise funds to help people living with HIV and to support a healthier, fairer and more fulfilled sexuality.
Music to listen to: Damso - “Grand Soleil”
After solidarity, it's time for “liberty, equality and fraternity”: July 14th. The national holiday. To celebrate it, our young Frenchman invites us to Pau, along the roads of the Tour de France, this highly symbolic sporting event. Whether you're watching it on TV or along the road, you learn a little more about France every time. From castles, lakes and mountains to remote villages and major cities, the whole country is open to the curious. What better destination than Pau to combine the Tour de France with France's national holiday on July 14th?
With a few good contacts, you can get to the start village in the morning. There, you can sample French and regional specialties: cheese, meat and drinks. After enjoying the activities on offer, it's a good idea to climb into an official car to follow the race. If you're lucky, you may see a battle at the top between Pocajar and Vingegaard after an attack by Alaphilippe. Once the race is over and you've climbed the pass, you're off to a friend's house near Narcastet for a shower and to get ready for the evening. What to wear? What hairstyle? Last-minute questions and instinctive answers. Once ready, the address of a château is entered into Waze.
Everything on site is spectacular! The reception. The food. The garden. The rooms. In this human labyrinth, you can get involved in a variety of conversations. The result of the day's stage. The army parade. The summer's news, from pop culture to sports and politics. Whatever the subject, all these dialogues are interrupted by a bang. It's the fireworks display that brings a very French day to a close. For some, it's time to go home; for others, it's just the beginning.
Music to listen to : Musique de la garde républicaine - “La Marseillaise”. It’s the national anthem
From one celebration to another, we're now not far from Spain, in a country apart: the Basque Country. It's Thursday, July 31, in a quiet district of Saint-Jean-de-Luz. Here, two colors dominate: red and white. It's the festivities of Bayonne. 5 days of camaraderie, laughter and song in a town as charming as it is historic.
In the Akotz district, parents, children and friends get ready. Dressed in white with a red scarf, the students wear their youth with confidence. The arrogance of freedom in one hand, a glass in the other. On the same terrace, the old folks are also shining brightly. Their wisdom will be at rest tonight. It's the legs that will take over on the dance floor. Everyone is ready. Last drink. A few adjustments. A turn of the key. The traditional photo taken by “Amaxi” (grandmother in Basque) and off we go.
Off to the Halles de Bayonne, where a table seating 25 people is ready to welcome this atom of family, love and friendship. The town was just waiting for them. It opened its doors to them until 5am. Another year on the clock for the regulars, an illumination for the novices. In the blink of an eye, Sunday evening brings the 4th world gathering to a close. See you next year “Freedom Week”
Music to listen to : Ontuak - “Hegoak”. Sung in Basque.
Gone is the hustle and bustle, and now it's time for the calm of the south-east - well, almost. 750km through rest areas (a nice story), fields and hills to Cassis near Marseille. This little town of X inhabitants has many wonders to offer. The perfect day there? An early wake-up call and breakfast on the balcony of the residence. Let's hope someone had time to fetch croissants and chocolatines. Then it's off to the calanque of Port-Pin after a 20-minute drive and a 40-minute walk. Once there, the objective was clear: to find the best spots for the best saltos. So let's get equipped! Mask to see clearly, shoes to avoid scratches and a good dose of adrenalin to jump into the water. You need a method. One team on the cliffs, moving cautiously to find the take-off point. Another team in the water to check the depth and validate the jump. Once everyone's in place, all you have to do is wait for someone. The courage. He can come alone or be brought along by family or cousins. Sometimes he's accompanied by a boatload of tourists, who at the sight of the hesitant youngsters, will shout “1, 2, 3!”. And that's the jump. Once back on the surface, it's time to head back for a family meal on the harbor. It's hard to choose between the good restaurants. Fish or meat? Vegetarian option? Whatever the choice, the dessert will be the same: an ice cream at Amorino followed by a stroll through the night market to admire the gems on display. One day, two days and then four. It's high time to extend the journey to the Alps. Music to listen to : Jul - “Italia”.
After a few exhausting hours on the road, the mountains gradually come into view. This is the Queyras. A series of valleys with an Olympian calm hidden behind the deafening sound of waterfalls. It's like Yosemite. Our goal for the week is Sugarloaf. No, we're not in Rio, but in France, at the foot of this 3208m-high mountain. To conquer its summit, you have to set off at dawn. Although it's summer, it's advisable to cover up. It's a physical and mental effort that's well worth it to admire the sunrise over Europe's most famous mountain range. After this physical ordeal, it's possible to continue the effort with an accrobranche adventure in the Bois des Amoureux, or visit Saint-Véran, Europe's highest village, for a more relaxing experience. At the end of the day, a visit to Abriès is a must. It's time to meet Pilou, the owner. At his campsite, where families and solo travellers meet, you can enjoy a tasty pizza cooked over a wood fire. It's an opportunity to learn more about the history of this rugged land and fragile nature. The sun set several hours ago, so watch out for the return journey. Once home, the moment lends itself perfectly to watching a Louis De Funès film. How about “La grande vadrouille”?
Music to listen to : Jean Ferrat - “La montagne”.
A mix of nature, culture and sport, a French summer can well end in its capital, can't it? So let's hop on a train (86 times less polluting than flying) and head for Paris! In August, the city of lovers is quieter. The hustle and bustle of the metro and cafés gives way to airy parks and discreet streets. History is everywhere you look, flooding the buildings. The Seine is the stage for many plays. Along its trickle, Parisians gather after a day's work or come to read alone, so that the day's woes can disappear in the pages of French literature. Meet the family in a bouillon. Infiltrate the various free museums for under-26s. Invite a girl to a café. Fight the night with friends in the streets of Bastille. A Parisian weekend goes by so quickly. It's intense. It's full of variety. It's romanticized. It seems so intangible and yet eternal...
Like a French summer.
Music to listen to : Indochine - “Un été français”.