The show “My France, summer” stops in Argelès-sur-Mer in the Pyrénées-Orientales. To start this hour of good humor in total immersion in the Occitanie region, a columnist from France Bleu Roussillon offers you a Catalan lesson, or rather a musical game!
Blind-test summer hits in Catalan
Julio Leone gets up early every morning to strum a guitar tune on France Bleu Roussillon! Every morning he takes up a musical hit that he interprets, and it is up to the listeners to recognize the title. He gives us his demonstration live, it’s up to you.
“My France, summer” introduces you to Catalan culture with its unique heritage and traditions. Traditional dance such as the sardana, traditional hat, castells, correfocs. We reveal everything about the specificities of Catalan culture. The language is experiencing a resurgence of interest in recent years, it has been taught in some bilingual schools.
To visit: the Tower of Massane and the castle of Valmy
Adeline Podevin defines herself as an “adventurer”. She likes to offer photos from the four corners of France as well as presenting ideas for walks and trips. She has also opened a blog, Notebooks of a backpacker, which she also brings to life on social networks: Instagram, Facebook and TikTok.
The blogger offers us an essential route in the region: the Tower of Massane. During a hike perched on the heights of Argelès, you can discover the Albères massif as well as appreciate the view of Roussillon and the Vermeille coast. All at 800 meters above sea level.
Another emblematic place to visit is the castle of Valmy. Its owner, Martine Carbonell, tells us about her childhood holidays, with her father, where she dreamed of one day becoming the owner of the castle. This is today done. Martine tells us about the restaurant and the guest rooms that are open in this great castle.
– Quentin Lhui
Nicknamed “sleeping beauty castle“, the Belle Époque construction dates from 1888 and overlooks the beaches, a few steps from the vineyards and the forest.
Handmade espadrilles “made in Pyrénées Orientales”
Catalan creation is nothing else that the last craft enterprise of the Eastern Pyrenees which manufactures espadrilles, as well as vigatanes, the traditional Catalan shoes. After the closure of the last artisan sandalier, Création Catalane opened in 2008 in St Laurent de Cerdans, often considered the capital of the espadrille! In the 19th century, 10% of French shoes were made there. The 20 companies in the valley wore shoes in France, with a rate of 10,000 pairs per day in the 1940s.
Director of the company and master craftsman in arts and crafts, Celine Verges tells you the story of the local art of wearing good shoes.
– Quentin Lhui
Also discover the Ornithological Group of Roussillon with Yves Allemand who talks about the diversity of bird species in Roussillon. There are more than 300 species. This organization organizes rescues of injured birds in particular.
– Quentin Lhui