How to party in a small French village
Saint Jean de Sixt partied on Saturday night in the lead-up to the national Fete de la Saint Jean (John the Baptist) on Sunday. Pictured is every kid’s favourite car ride, and this year, it featured a lighting system more impressive than most nightclubs. Each car flew a flag with the Savoie cross. The locals seemed impressed, and the occupants of the cars were even happier when the smoke machines at each end of the ride kicked in, making it truly difficult to avoid other cars. I remember as a kid in Australia, going to Luna Park and being told by the man in charge to avoid the other cars. What fun is that? The French clearly have the right idea there.
However, getting the local band to attempt La Bamba was probably not the best idea. But it was still an improvement on the music from the night before, which seemed to be a loop of French ‘artist’ Keen’V and Katy Perry, with the odd dodgy summer pop hit thrown in.
In the background is what looks like a marching band in the French flag colours of white, red and blue. Don’t be fooled: in the ever-popular French tradition, it’s a group of men dressed as marching girls — each one sporting massive breasts and playing with their hair between their marching exploits. They weren’t marching to La Bamba. No, they were marching to the loop of Katy Perry hits that the dodgem/bumper car ride was still pumping out.
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I'm a technical author, journalist and writer from Australia who has been living in Europe since 2000 and exploring the world from there. My passions are writing, snow sports and travel.
What? I thought the French had more style than this.
The Eguisheim “Fete de Champignons” is a bit daggy, and the Logelheim “Fete du Potiron” is impressive for the imaginative use of pumpkins. But men dressed as marching girls? A bit pathetic? Correct me if I’m wrong, please.
By the way, Luna Park still rocks!
I love French fêtes and I’m also grateful there are so many keen committees who organise them every year. I was vaguely involved one year and it’s a tedious, thankless task. The music isn’t usually too great round here either but there’s always a great atmossphere and it wouldn’t be a French summer without them.
Ron, *any* excuse to get dressed as big-boobed women seems to be embraced around these parts. They were actually quite funny so they worked well as a comedy act. It’s a very local parade, and as Steph says, it wouldn’t be a French summer without one, no matter how dodgy the music is!
I took my French partner to Luna Park a few years ago, and a bride was waiting to have photos taken on a carousel horse, but one of the horse poles came away from the ceiling and mass confusion ensued. Everyone had to get off the ride and workers stood and stared for a good half an hour. We saw her by the entrance as we left, making do with the giant teeth in her photo instead.