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Every year on 2 February the French celebrate with a crêpe (pancake) for the Fête de la Chandeleur (pancake day in France).

The name Chandeleur (French pancake day) comes from the Latin candelorum festum, which means festival of candles and in the English language, it’s known as Candlemas. There is evidence that Pope Gelasius I (died in 496) helped to establish the festival of Candlemas and was said to have fed crêpes to the pilgrims who visited his church.

There are lots of fun legends and old wives’ tales about La Chandeleur and Candlemas:

If you can flip a pancake with one hand, whilst in the other holding a gold coin – your immediate family will prosper financially all through the year! Or flip and hold a coin and make a wish – catch it and your wish will come true!

If it is raining on the day of Candlemas – it will rain for the next 40 days. If it is overcast and cold – winter will last for another 40 days. If it is a clear day – winter is over.  Although having said that, there is also a saying that if it is sunny on Candlemas then winter will return and bring misfortune with it!

Eating lots of pancakes on the day of the fête de la chandeleur will ensure a good crop!

If you toss your crèpe on the armoire and it sticks – that is a sign of good luck and prosperity for the year (or a sign you need to get a cloth out and clean up!).

In the north of France, it’s traditional to use beer in the mix whilst in Normandy and Brittany people often add a swig of Calvados (apple brandy).

Wherever you are, it’s a good excuse to make pancakes and here’s a traditional and simple French crêpe recipe:

Ingredients for 6-8 pancakes

125g plain flour

pinch of salt

1 medium egg, beaten

300ml milk

25g melted butter

Directions

1. Mix the flour and salt in a basin, make a hollow in the centre and drop in the egg. Stir and add the milk gradually until you have a smooth mix. Add the melted butter and beat well. The consistency should be like single cream.

2.  Heat a small amount of butter in a frying pan until it begins to smoke. Then give the batter a stir and pour approximately 3 tablespoons of the mix into the frying pan. When golden brown underneath, flip it over and cook the other side.

3. You can serve your pancake as you like but it's traditional to sprinkle it with sugar and roll it or fold it into quarters. Serve immediately with honey, jam or lemon juice.

Bon appétit from us at French Connections!

Despite the Pound’s weakness versus the Euro, France is still a wonderful place to take an excellent value holiday. Self-catering holidays mean you save on eating out costs and get to shop at the markets for the best of local, seasonal produce. The cheapest ingredients to have on your list include cheese, bread (those lovely crispy baguettes!), vegetables and sausages, not to mention the wine. These won’t require much cooking either, so it’s a lovely and simple way to eat like locals.

Entertainment doesn’t need to cost much either. From walks on the beach or in the countryside, wandering through historic cities and picturesque villages to flea markets and festivals – there are loads of free or not expensive things to do in France.

We take a look at some of the best and most popular budget holiday options in France for 2018

Normandy and Brittany

There are a number of options when it comes to affordable accommodation. Skip the hotels and check out the private rental options from gorgeous country cottages to farmhouses, and in the ever-popular areas of Normandy and Brittany, there’s a massive choice. Excellent value doesn’t mean skimping on the benefits though. The rental market in France is competitive which means owners have to ensure they’re offering the holidaymaker something to tempt them. Beautifully renovated, stunning locations and a cosy home from home base make a French Connections holiday rentals a great option – just nip over to our search pages to see for yourself.

Dordogne

Always a favourite with British holidaymakers, Dordogne has so much to offer. The French think of Dordogne as a river rather than a place and know Dordogne as Perigord. Perigord is defined by four colours: Perigord Noir (black) is named for truffles and chestnut trees. It’s an area that’s rich in enchanting castles, stunning countryside and includes the lovely medieval town of Sarlat.  Perigord Vert, is in the north, the green part of the department which includes beautiful Brantome, known as the “Venice of Dordogne. Perigord Blanc (white) takes its name from the chalky stone that built Perigueux. Perigord Pourpre (purple) is from the wines made from the vineyards around Bergerac.

Not overcrowded (except in peak summer season), with the most mouth-watering markets (the Saturday morning market at Sarlat is memorable) and breath-taking scenery. Just think Beynac-et-Cazenac with its soaring cliffs and tiny villages teetering high up in the sky. A lack of traffic jams, picturesque villages, the chance to mess about in boats and friendly locals make Dordogne ever popular with visitors.

There are numerous holiday properties available in the Dordogne, so for inspirational ideas take a look at our selection and happy holiday home hunting!

Holidays homes by the sea

France boasts some of the best coastlines in Europe. From the dramatic cliffs and golden beaches of the Opal Coast in the far north to the sunny beaches of the Mediterranean – there’s a massive choice. Whether it’s a romantic break, family holiday or friends’ fun vacation, there’s a beach holiday to suit everyone in France. And, with so many ports to travel to, getting there is easy.

A holiday in France doesn’t need to break the bank – take a look at the fabulous holiday homes on the French Connections website and book your dream holiday cottage…

We love Christmas here at French Connections – especially Christmas in France. It’s a time for delicious food, wonderful wines, and bubbles galore!

It doesn’t matter where you go in France, there are marvelous markets, twinkling lights and festive fayre to enjoy and in Paris, the City of Light turns into the City of Fairy Lights – a magical place of razzmatazz and tradition.

Here are ten things to do in Paris at Christmas to really experience the city’s seasonal delights

1 Take a ride on the giant Ferris Wheel known as the Grand Roue de Paris. The views over Paris from its location in the Tuileries Gardens will take your breath away.

2. After your ride, head to Angelina’s Tea Room in rue de Rivoli for one of their famous hot chocolate drinks to warm up in style.

3. Enjoy a spot of shopping on the Champs-Elysées, the world’s most famous avenue. Pricey sure, but those window displays are beautiful. Head to the main department stores of Galleries Lafayette, Printemps and Le Bon Marché for fashion, gifts and to enjoy the magical displays.

4. You can’t come to Paris and not see the Eiffel Tower, the Iron Lady as she is known, sparkles after dark on the hour for a few minutes – it really is a spectacular sight.

5. Keep warm in a museum – there are hundreds to choose from, will it be the world’s most visited Museum, the Louvre, or somewhere more intimate like the Museum of Romantic Life?

6. Take a boat ride on the Seine. See the city from the river for a totally different and magnificent view of the many of the most iconic landmarks of Paris. Les Vedettes de Paris, the boat ride company at the foot of the Eiffel Tower, offers a free ride and glass of Champagne if it’s your birthday (take your passport as proof).

7. Note Dame Cathedral is stunning at any time of the year but with the giant Christmas tree in front it's very special and a reminder of the traditions of Christmas.

8. Enjoy a cocktail! We love Bar Hemingway at the Ritz Hotel for sheer pizazz – it’s oh so special.

9. Head to Montmartre to see the pretty cobbled streets decked out in lights and decorations and to enjoy a meal in one of the many quirky bistros in the area.

10. Take in a Christmas market – there are more than a dozen in the city (find out more details at parisinfo.com – the official tourist website of Paris).

We’ve got some fabulous properties to rent in and around Paris. Why not pop over to our search pages and be inspired – we love to make your holiday dreams come true…

All of us at French Connections wish you a very Happy New Year.

We’ve loved connecting with you this year - connecting holidaymakers with holiday homeowners is what we do best.

January is the perfect time to plan your next trip to France. We have a massive choice of beautiful villas, gites, chateaux and B&Bs for you to choose from. At this time of the year many of our lovely holiday home owners offer great incentives – so check out our Special Offers page for those early bird bargains.

If you have any questions you can contact owners directly via their listing page – they’re always happy to help. They’re experts in their local area, they’ll know about travel routes, facilities, family things to do, the most wonderful local sights and days out plus the best boulangeries, restaurants, and markets.

We also love to help you with your questions and we hope to see you at The France Show at London Olympia from 26-28 January 2018. We’ll have a stand there and we’re really excited about meeting new and existing property owners, chatting with holidaymakers and helping anyone who’s looking to buy in France.

Our New Year’s Resolution is always the same – we aim to help you make your holiday dreams come true…

Wishing you a very Happy New Year from the whole team here at French Connections

French Connections will be at The France Show in London 26-28 January 2018 and we have 100 tickets to give away!

We’re one of the leading websites for property rentals in France and we’ll be at the show to share the fabulous gites, B&Bs, chateaux and villas we have on our books for you to rent. And, if you have a property you want to rent outcome and see us, we can help you get bookings for next year.

We also have properties for sale and if you’re dreaming of a new life in France, pop by, we may just be able to help you make that dream come true.

The France Show brings you the best of France - food, wine, property, holiday ideas, travel offers and entertainment - all under one roof. A great French market, cookery demonstrations, tutored wine tastings, language and travel theatre and even a chance to play pétanque! The France Show also hosts the largest French Property Exhibition in the UK, so come along, meet the experts and find your dream home. Our very own Janine Marsh who writes our weekly blog will also be there, she’ll be chatting about France and her bestselling book The Good Life France: in pursuit of the rural dream on the Flavours of France stage each day.

WIN TICKETS TO THE FRANCE SHOW

Just click on the link below to get your free tickets – it’s first come, first served so don’t delay, click away!

The France Show 26-28 January; 10am-5pm Friday and Saturday | 10am-4pm Sunday

Enjoy a great French day out in the heart of London – see you there!

Click here to enter the draw and enter the promotional code XEB56 for tickets to the France show

www.thefranceshow.com/tickets

Alternatively, please copy and paste the URL code below into your internet web browser.

thefranceshow18.eventbrite.co.uk?discount=XEB56

All of us at French Connections wish you a very Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays.

We’re going to be at The France Show in London from 26-28 January 2018 and we very much look forward to seeing you there. We’ve got some free tickets to give away on a first come, first served basis so please click here to enter the draw and enter the promotional code XEB56 for tickets to the France show:

http://www.thefranceshow.com/tickets/

Alternatively, please copy and paste the URL code below into your internet web browser.

thefranceshow18.eventbrite.co.uk?discount=XEB56

We hope you have a relaxing, happy and fun Christmas and we look forward to helping you make your holiday dreams come true next year…

With best wishes for a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from the whole team at French Connections. 

You probably won’t be surprised to know that in the country where gastronomy has been given UNESCO status, so important a part of the national heritage is it, that at times of celebration, food is firmly at the forefront of every festive occasion - especially Christmas. The markets take on a special glow as gourmet food galore is piled onto stalls, stopping you in your tracks at the sight and the scent.

The French celebrate Christmas on the evening of the 24th of December with a long, long, long dinner. It’s called a réveillon. The word comes from the French word reveiller (to wake) because it usually goes on way past midnight, so you have to stay awake until the early hours of the next morning!

The meal usually starts with an amuse bouche (literally something that entertains the mouth). Little canapés are served often with Champagne.

Then comes the starter (or even starters) – oysters, shellfish, foie gras or perhaps ‘boudin blanc’, a white sausage made with pork and truffles and served warm, gently browned in a pan of melted butter.

Amazingly this comes before the guests tuck into the main meal, perhaps turkey or capon (a castrated cockerel) or game.

Cheese is served before dessert in France, it’s not an alternative, it’s a course in its own right. A tempting platter is presented, usually a mix of goat and cow cheese, perhaps gooey Camembert, piquant Tomme and herby chevre.

Dessert is often a sweet Christmas log made of chocolate, ice-cream or fruits called a buche de noel. Though if you live in the south of France 13 desserts are a tradition. Yes, really 13 desserts! The desserts represent the last supper of Christ and the 12 apostles and they are laid out symbolically on a table of three tablecloths, with three candles which represent the Trinity. Traditionally the food is set on the table for three days, they are all served at the same time and guests must taste each one.

Wine is chosen to go with each course, and a little Calvados or Cognac rounds off the evening beautifully with a few chocolates if you’ve got room. Then it’s time to relax, sleep off the meal until noon when a hearty lunch of leftovers awaits.

Why not take a break in France over Christmas at one of our fabulous holiday homes and prepare your own French feast in the land of gastronomy - bon appétit!