France has a long and storied history, from the ancient Roman ruins that dot the countryside to the elegant cathedrals and château's that grace its cities. The French people are fiercely independent, and their culture is renowned for its art, food, wine, and fashion.
Despite its small size, France is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. Millions of people flock to Paris every year to see the Eiffel Tower and explore the city's winding streets. The Loire Valley, with its beautiful castles, and Provence, is known for its stunning landscapes and charming villages.
France is incredibly popular for its amazing wine festivals that take place throughout the year in different regions. Let's see what this place has to offer us!
Beaujolais Nouveau Festival
If you love a good party, you won't want to miss the Beaujolais Nouveau Festival. The event, which takes place in France every year during the third week of November, is held to celebrate the release of Beaujolais Nouveau wine.
The festival kicks off with a procession through the streets of Beaujolais, followed by a banquet and live music. The city's bars and restaurants also hold special events and tastings to celebrate the wine's release.
Beaujolais Nouveau is a very young wine that typically doesn't age well, so it's best enjoyed within hours of bottling or purchase. You'll typically see it served in large glasses — an entire bottle can be finished in one sitting!
Bordeaux Wine Festival
Bordeaux wine festival is held in the magical little town and is perfect to taste and delight your senses with a mouth-watering selection of wines. Saint Emilion is known as the smallest appellation in the Bordeaux region of France, but it produces some of the most sought-after red wines in the country.
It is surrounded by forests with rolling hills and spectacular landscapes, making it a beautiful place to visit any time of year. The caves carved into the limestone produce an array of aromas that will stimulate your senses as you sample some fantastic wines.
Chablis Wine Festival
The Chablis Wine Festival is a celebration of the famous French white wine and is a great event for those who want to get a taste of the French way of life. Held annually in October, this wine festival draws visitors from all over the world to enjoy a weekend full of fine wines and culinary delights.
The event takes place in the picturesque village of Chablis, known as the capital of white wines. In this one-of-a-kind celebration, you can sample and purchase more than 300 varieties of white wines from nearly 100 wineries. In addition to wine tastings, there will be food and music, so you can enjoy sipping your favorite wine while listening to some jazz!
Final Words
Wine festivals are a fantastic way to immerse yourself in a country's wine culture, whether you choose to stay at a nearby Bed and Breakfast or Hotel. Some festivals also partner with local museums or historical sites to create exciting activities like truffle hunts, cooking demonstrations and themed dinners.
If you find yourself in France and you like wine, take the opportunity to visit one of the many wine festivals scattered throughout the country. You're likely to have a good time and meet someone interesting!
Reach out to me to start planning your amazing trip to France!