Provençal Christmas Traditions - Provence, France

This morning I read an email from "Le Petit Journal for December 24" which had a link to an article about a Provençal Christmas.

This article on francetoday.com (which you can read HERE) is mainly about food and Christmas traditions. It mentioned that there is a traditional French Christmas song claiming that Jesus was born in Provence — Jésus Est Né en Provence — between Avignon and the town of Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer.

From YouTube:  Robert Miras sings Jésus Est Né en Provence

Here are the lyrics (found HERE):

{Refrain:}
Jésus est né en Provence
Entre Avignon et les Saintes-Maries
Jésus est né en Provence
C'est un berger qui me l'a dit
Dans le Midi de la France
Sous la dentelle des tamaris
Jésus est né en Provence
Jésus est né dans le Midi

Il m'a dit le berger, il m'a dit
Qu'un olivier avec ses branches
Lui avait fait comme un tapis
Et puis et puis la brebis blanche
Qu'il y avait auprès de lui
Sentait le thym et la lavande
Des montagnes de mon pays
Peut-être n'est-ce qu'une légende
On blague un peu dans le Midi ...
{au Refrain}

Et le berger s'il m'a menti peuchère !
C'était par malveillance
A vrai dire, dans ce paradis
Entre le Rhône et la Durance,
On pouvait croire que le petit
Ne pouvait naître qu'en Provence
Dans une étable vers Saint-Rémy
Quand les étoiles se balancent
Dans notre ciel à la minuit ...
{au Refrain} 

The holiday season is an excellent time to discuss and plan your barging vacation with friends and family. Contact Paradise Connections and we will be happy to assist!

Happy Holidays!

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Contact Paradise Connections to book your barging holiday
For more information on our barges and barging, visit our website : www.BargeCharters.com

 

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Hotel Barge SAVOIR FAIRE: Family special August 2014

The Hotel Barge SAVOIR FAIRE has a family special for August 2014 charters.

EXPIRED

Visit our website for more info on our barges and barging: www.BargeCharters.com

 

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Cruise England's River Thames on Hotel Barge Magna Carta

We are updating MAGNA CARTA's special offer. Happy Valentine's Day!

They're doing their part to get the economy moving... now we need a little help from our friends.

The British Hotel Barge MAGNA CARTA is offering 2009 & 2010 cruises at 2005 prices!

• For 2009, the rate per person sharing a double cabin aboard Magna Carta will be $3,690 instead of $4,500, and $28,000 for an 8-person charter instead of $33,000.
• For 2010, bookings confirmed with a deposit by November 30, 2009 will also be at 2005 prices.
• What’s more, if you confirm your booking for 2009 or 2010 with a deposit by 31st March 2009, we will give a further discount of $250 per person.

What a beautiful way to discover the English countryside with a cruise along the historic River Thames in England.



A slow meandering journey past Royal Palaces, quaint riverside towns, villages, a mixture of olde worlde England and the natural beauty of Surrey, Berkshire and Oxfordshire. From Henry VIII’s Hampton Court past Windsor Castle to Henley with frequent stops allowing plenty of time to wander and explore whilst Magna Carta follows this old Viking trading route deep into rural countryside. Gentle exploration are the keywords, with good cycling and walking opportunities as the elegant and spacious air-conditioned 8-passenger, Magna Carta finds her way inland.

In addition to their standard itinerary, Magna Carta also offers "Theme Cruises" such as: Antiques, Art, Family, Chelsea Flower Show, Hampton Court Palace Flower Show, Golf, Health & Relaxation, Murder Mystery Cruise, Walking Cruise, West End Theatre Cruise, World War II, and Christmas/New Years Cruise...

View MAGNA CARTA's online brochure: CLICK HERE

Contact Paradise Connections for details: CLICK HERE

Visit the barging section of our web site:
http://www.paradiseconnections.com/barges.html

Looking forward to your inquiries!

Spend Happy Holidays in the UK this year

What an exceptional way to spend the holidays this Christmas season... Scottish Highlander for Christmas, followed by bringing in the New Year aboard the Thames barge, Magna Carta!


You can do either the 4-night Christmas Cruise with Scottish Highlander from December 23-27, 2007 or the 5-night New Year's Cruise aboard Magna Carta from December 28, 2007 through January 2, 2008. But BOTH would be BETTER :)

These two cruises follow on from each other very nicely as you can depart Scottish Highlander on the 27th December and be driven to Inverness Airport where you can fly to London Heathrow Airport or London Gatwick Airport, stay near Heathrow or Central London overnight and then be met by Magna Crew on the 28th December either at a hotel near Heathrow Airport or the Stafford Hotel in Central London.

Scottish Highlander has two staterooms available. $2400/room per person, based on double occupancy. CLICK HERE for Christmas itinerary.

Magna Carta has three suites available. $3400/room per person, based on double occupancy. CLICK HERE for New Year's itinerary.

Sounds great to me, but Bob & I have already made plans to be aboard our sailboat, So It Goes, in St.Barths over the holidays.

Don't think about it too long! Just pop us an email (CLICK HERE for email address) and we'll be in touch ASAP.

Here's the link to our Barge Page where you can see all of our barge brochures:
http://www.paradiseconnections.com/barges.html

Christmas: Loch Ness, Scotland aboard barge Scottish Highlander

We have TWO cabins still available for the Christmas Cruise departing 23rd December 2007 in Scotland.



The price is $3,590 (£1890) per person for a stateroom and $3,990 (£2090) per person for the suite (based on 2 sharing each cabin).

Price includes:

• Transfer from Inverness to the barge on Sunday,
• 6 night Christmas Cruise,
• all meals on board catered for by the on board Master Chef,
• open bar 24/7 with a large range of alcoholic and non alcoholic drinks,
• all wines served throughout the cruise,
• all special Christmas Festivities and celebrations, excursions and admittance fees as per the itinerary,
• use of barge facilities which includes bicycles
• transfer back to Inverness the following Saturday morning.

Here is the itinerary:

** SCOTTISH HIGHLANDER ITINERARY - CHRISTMAS CRUISE **
Sunday 23rd December : Dochgarroch to Fort Augustus

• At 4pm we meet at the Glenmoriston Town House Hotel in Inverness and transfer to Scottish Highlander moored at Dochgarroch. Champagne welcome and dinner aboard, followed by good old-fashioned Scottish entertainment.

Monday 24th December, Christmas Eve: Dochgarroch to Fort Augustus

• In the morning we take a trip up to Moniack Castle, famous for its wines, liqueurs and preserves. On returning to the barge, we cruise past Urquhart Castle on our way along the northern shore of Loch Ness, then cross the loch to the village of Foyers. On arrival in Foyers we can enjoy a small Whisky tasting with the captain before lunch. In the afternoon we take a trip into the Inverfarigaig forest for a delightful walk to the Falls of Foyers and a drive into the hills to see the deer. It will also be possible to attend a Christmas Eve service at a local church. Dinner on board and entertainment while presents can be put round the Christmas tree.

Tuesday 25th December, Christmas Day: Fort Augustus

• We are moored for the day in Fort Augustus, a charming village at the south western end of the Loch Ness, its prominent feature being a splendid lock staircase. Lunch and Christmas present opening are followed by jolly accordion music. The afternoon can be spent with a gentle saunter around the village or maybe a game of croquet or putting. Scottish afternoon cream tea. CHRISTMAS DINNER ON BOARD.

Wednesday 26th December, Boxing Day: ort Augustus to Cullochy Lock

• After breakfast we leave Fort Augustus this morning and cruise to Cullochy Lock via Kytra We can we visit the Loch Ness Visitor Centre where the myth of the Loch Ness monster is explained, along with an interesting exhibition on her sightings and the search for her over the years. Donner on board followed by a trip out to a local inn for live music.

Thursday 27th December: Cullochy Lock to Gairlochy

• Leave Cullochy Lock for a morning cruise via two locks at Laggan, and through Lochs Oich and Lochy to Gairlochy. In the afternoon there is a chance to see either the World War II Commando memorial, the woollen mill at Spean Bridge, selling traditional knitwear and tweeds, or the Clan Cameron museum. Dinner aboard.

Friday 28th December: Gairlochy to Banavie

• Morning visit to the mystic battlefields of Glencoe. On the way back visit the Glen Nevis distillery for an insight into the secrets of the various stages of Whisky preparation and taste a wee dram or two. In the afternoon we cruise to Banavie and Neptune’s Staircase, a flight of eight locks that is a spectacular feat of engineering. Captain’s Farewell Dinner aboard followed by a trip out to a local inn for live music.

Saturday 29th December: Banavie

• Passengers disembark for the transfer to Inverness by minibus after a hearty Scottish breakfast.

Minimum 4 people required to guarantee this cruise. This itinerary is subject to change.

View SCOTTISH HIGHLANDER's brochure : CLICK HERE
Contact Paradise Connections for more info: CLICK HERE

Treat yourselves to a very special Christmas this year!

All the best!