First, as we are Aixcentric, let’s start in town with the annual Aix Carnaval which takes place on Sunday (April 28th). It’s a lovely, colourful affair, with participants from schools and organisations across town: they put in a great deal of effort to decorate their floats – and themselves. You will be decorated too if you stand too near the enthusiast confetti-throwers!
‘La Caravane des tisserands’ (weavers) is this year’s theme and the production is organised by Compagnie Nickel Chrome. We are promised lots of music, dancing from 600 costumed participants, and an aerial show orchestrated by Compagnie Gratte Ciel.
It’s not in the cours Mirabeau this year but will start and finish at ave Max Juvenal. This website has details and a good map: http://www.aixenprovence.fr/Carnaval-d-Aix-2019
Also taking place in Aix is the 33rd Festival du Tambourin which is a Provencal instrument. Around 200 practitioners will gather from across the region to perform in the streets of centre ville on Saturday 27th: they will set off from the Cathedral at 14:00 and process down to the cours Mirabeau. The programme runs from today til Saturday (25-27th). https://www.myprovence.fr/agenda-culturel/festivals/aix-en-provence/7793-festival-du-tambourin.
And finally, another Provencal event takes place this weekend – a transhumance. It’s a traditional celebration of the departure of the local sheep which set off each spring for pastures new in the Alps. It used to be a 12-day walk. Today’s éleveurs will be in traditional costume accompanied by 800 sheep and goats. It’s taking place at Senas from 11h30. The procession will start from the place du Marché where there will be, of course this being Provence, a Foire gourmande and foire aux vins all day. https://www.myprovence.fr/agenda-culturel/fetes-de-rue/senas/6516-transhumance-de-senas-a-partir-de-11h
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