Next weekend (7th-8th October) sees the annual Fete de la Courge in Rians in the Var, and it is one of my favourite village festivals: mainly as it is so very un-English. It is an excellent opportunity to see a work-a-day Provencal village, totally non-touristy, celebrating local produce. Who knew there were so many types of pumpkins and squashes?
There is lots of fun to be had – especially the displays in the Salle des Fetes: you can admire the largest pumpkins or the ones with the strangest shapes. Over a hundred courge-themed stalls crowd the narrow streets and there is fun for children too: fishing plastic vegetables out of the village fountain is one traditional and popular game.
This year there will be a medieval village, a circus tent, balloon-sculpture sessions, bouncy castles, a carousel, a band and falconry.
Pumpkin soups and casseroles are served at long tables in the village centre – get there early though as they ran out quite quickly last time we went.
It’s all well organised with parking in a massive nearby field.
Here’s the programme: http://www.la-provence-verte.net/ot_rians/manifestation-21eme-edition-de-la-fete-de-la-courge_40426.html
aixcentric 
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