Fête du Citron - the entrance
Above: the entrance to the festival - Islands of the World. In the small photo you can see how it looked a few days ago - more like a scene from 'Company' than a Lemon Festival.The Fete du Citron draws visitors from all over the world but it actually started in 1895 when a group of hoteliers, seeking a way of providing winter entertainment for the city, suggested to the municipality that there be a Carnival parade through the city. By 1896, the Carnival of Menton was as popular with the local population as with the rich winter visitors. At the time, it was fashionable to spend the winter months in the mild climate of the French Riviera. Kings, Queens, Princes, artist and performers stayed in the palaces of Menton, or had splendid villas built. The Carnival of 1882 was a memorable occasion, attended by Queen Victoria in person, and ending in a grandiose fireworks display on the Bay of Garavan.
Tomorrow, we enter - wonders await us - there be dragons and pirates...
To see Bully, the Pyrenean Shepherd Dog, who'll do a trick for you, click on the link.
Wow, very unusual object. And it a beautiful shot!
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ReplyDeleteInteresting event.
ReplyDeleteIt's a well-planned entrance for the island theme.
ReplyDeleteVery colorful. Looks like a lot of thought went into this.
ReplyDeleteWhat an entrance. Colourful and happy ...
ReplyDeleteGoodness, quite a job assembling that, I'd say! It looks great - quite summery, oddly enough, partly because of the bright blue sky I think. The fact that it's not summer though is evident in all those long sleeves and jackets... :)
ReplyDeleteKerry-Anne, you are so right. It was 4 degrees at 9 am this morning - warmed up a little by 10.30 which is when I took that photo but as you rightly say, everyone is well wrapped up even tho the sky is blue. Everyone is remarking on how cold it is this year for the Fete du Citron.
ReplyDeleteAnd I don't see any empty spots - perhaps there are lemons enough elsewhere for one to squeeze over their fish or onto their salad.
ReplyDeletecette fete des citrons est superbe, je trouve magnifique ce qu'ils font avec des citrons. Lyliane a fait aussi un tres post sur le carnaval de menton avec les agrumes
ReplyDeleteC'est superbe! J'en ai beaucoup entendu parler mais je n'ai jamais eu l'occasion de m'y rendre.
ReplyDeleteVery nicely done, I really like it. It'd be great to watch as it's being built.
ReplyDeleteTheir sculpture turned out very impressive although I'm not sure about walking underneath it to enter the event ... I especially like your link to Bully, the Pyrenean Shepherd dog ... Looking forward to the dragons and pirates.
ReplyDeleteVery creative decoration. Must be a very interesting festival.
ReplyDeleteOMG that is absolutely fabulous! I can see now why this festival is so incredibly popular. How creative and eye-catching. I just love the Tahitian one above and the Corsican one too. Jilly, these are brilliant photos - thank you so much.
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