Bastille Day at La Giraudière

Program Director Paul, in his infinite wisdom, advised me not to make travel plans from America to La Giraudière over the long Bastille Day holiday weekend. Even so, the trains were stuffed to capacity from Paris with holiday merrymakers in the days leading up to the fete. Regardless, I arrived at La Giruardière as preparations for the local festivities were coming into full swing. But not before a marvelous meal of fois gras at a local “resto” in the nearby rustic village of Brossac. And not before being introduced to the endearing custom of introducing yourself to everyone in the establishment over a glass of vin rouge. “Bonjours” and “Ca vas” fill the air with each new person who joins in the revelry of a

Jacques gives a thumbs up to the local produce

night out in the town. The meals served were the real deal with sides of frites and salade verte. And of course, the sound of “Santè” as bottomless glasses of wine clinked to everyone’s well being. A walk home under the stars, Ursa Major prominent in the French sky, topped off the evening as we were serenaded by a chorus from the local grenouilles (little frogs.) The weather on Sunday, July 13 may have been gloomy and overcast but the volunteers of La Guardiere were greeted with warm and sunny “saluts” by the members of the Commission pour La Fete nationale française. This scene is repeated all across France as proud Frenchman gather together to commemorate one of the greatest moments in French history. On July 14, 1789 , the citizens of Paris stormed the Bastille, a prison holding political prisoners. This event touched off the French Revolution. We joined in to help with set up for the evening’s festivities at a nearby park. First, however we eat! As if out of thin air, loaves of bread, links of salami, tubs of patè and the ever present bottles of wine appear. Once again, greetings and introductions come first, then we feast before we work. Chatting with the local committee members is a marvelous way to practice your French or just develop your ear for the language. They are friendly and laid back and speak with a slower cadence which points to their relaxed approach to life;such a switch after experiencing the hustle and bustle of Paris. The rest of the morning is spent sweeping out the park shelter and setting up tables and benches where the revelers will dance and celebrate later in the evening. It’s all done efficiently and leisurely leaving the afternoon free to explore the area before we return for the night’s events. Siesta may be a Spanish word and tradition but, wonderfully so, it is not foreign to the people of Southwest France. Refreshed we return to the park and first we eat! Monsieur Maire de Brossac (Mayor of Brossac) serves up fresh local melons as an appetizer, to all the members of the commission and the volunteers of La Giruardière. Heaping bowls of frites, plates of roast pork and savory breads soon follow as everyone again toasts with fresh wines from nearby vineyards to everyone’s health and well being . Normally Le Feu d’artifice (fireworks) display would follow but tonight, besides being the eve of Bastille Day, is a very special night that only comes around once every four years, The Finals of The World Cup! Argentina is set to square off against Germany so the crowd leaves to go to a nearby clubhouse to watch the game.

Evenly split, the sentiment runs from “Anyone but Germany” to” Keep The Cup in Europe.”

La Guardiere volunteers, Sal and Jacques, watch The World Cup

The game itself turns out to be a bit of a disappointment as there is no score after ninety minutes, requiring overtime. A beautifully played goal by the German team

makes up a bit for the dullness of the game but mostly everyone seems relieved. Now they can go down to the lake for the evening’s main event, The fireworks. These do not disappoint. Stars of reds and greens and blues light up the skies over Brossac to choruses of oohs and aahs from all the spectators. Brossac may be a small village but the display is a BIG SHOW. Set to the music of Queen, Sarah Brightman and Andrea Bocelli, among others, the fireworks dazzled the crowd, setting the stage for the happy celebration to follow. Back in the shelter dancing and singing went on until the wee hours of the morning until Bastille Day was suitably ushered in. Appropriately, Monday, Bastille Day itself, is a day of rest with La Giruadière slowly joining the world by the time the sun is prominent in the sky.

Some volunteers head into nearby Chalais for Market Day while others attend to the more mundane tasks of laundry and answering emails (Does anyone send postcards anymore?) The long and wonderful weekend of La Fete nationale quietly comes to a close with a pétanque game in the village. Americans and Italians may call it Boci Ball and the British simply Balls but whatever the name, it’s clearly an international game as the La Guardiere Volunteers join players from Belgium and the local villagers. The more veteran volunteers are hungry to show off their skills developed in last week’s games while the rookies focus on learning the rules. It’s all good-natured fun washed down with a sparkling rosé supplied by our new Belgian friends. Au Revoirs punctuate the crisp night as all participate in what is seemingly becoming a ritual, the walk home under a full moon to the croaking of the grenouilles.