ExperiencePlus! has two brand new cycling options in the Languedoc region of southern France. Our inaugural tours May 27 – June 3, 2012 and the Plus! version which ends on the 6th are both confirmed departures and will begin with a remarkable celebration in Nîmes. Though the town isn’t officially pulling out all of the stops to rejoice our arrival we’d like to believe that one of the largest festivals in France, the Féria de Pentecôte, will be made that much richer with our attendance!
The Féria de Pentecôte or Whitsun is a 6-day celebration commemorating the descent of the Holy Spirit upon Christ’s disciples. The word féria comes from the Spanish Castellan word “fair” or “market” and is testimony to this unique part of France where Spanish and French cultures blend together in a common history and language known as Occitan. There are an incredibly wide variety of activities to partake in with brass bands, dancing, concerts, evening markets, water-jousting, parades, people watching on an international scale, and, of course, mass at the cathedral. Nîmes is transformed with large paintings garnishing the boulevards and the best-preserved Roman amphitheater in France will be bustling with Provençal style bull fights. The tourism office of Nîmes has a great video highlighting the plethora of activities – strap on your helmets it’s going to be a wild and fun ride.
We hope you’ll join us for the revelry!
Read more about Cycling the Languedoc and be sure to check out the 8 and 11 day itineraries.