International Festival of Music

Wine, good food and dancing in the street

Ten years ago, I was in Paris for the First International Festival of Music.  Had anyone told me then that I would be living in Carcassonne and attending the 10th International Festival of Music, I would have called that person a crazy dreamer....and yet, here I am.

Band right outside of the wine bar

The Festival has grown and in cities all across France people came out to parks,  amphitheaters, public squares and in our case, in the street, to celebrate music and the longest daylight hours of the year.  Carcassonne had six or seven venues, maybe more, but I chose to attend our local "block party."  

Brought back memories

It was held just up my street toward Place Gambetta.  The wine bar across the street provided tables, chairs and the drinks, and Michel Rabat Boucherie provided the food.  A very good rock and roll band played songs all we aging American baby-boomers in attendance could sing along with, and people came out of their homes to celebrate summer.  

It had been downright hot in the afternoon; after a week and weekend of nearly winter weather, the warmth came as a welcome guest--for a while.  By the evening, however, in the shadows and with the light breezes, conditions were perfect.  

Michel gives instructions to his crew

I got there just before 8:00, and immediately had to walk back home because I had forgotten my camera.  Fortunately it was only a couple of yards.  When I got back, my former neighbor Susan had snagged a table and a glass of wine.  I then ordered my dinner, as I was hungry, and went into the wine bar for a bottle of water.  The street was already pretty lively with locals eating, drinking, talking and listening to music.  It gradually became more crowded, although never uncomfortably so. 

The young man in the center is Michel's son, Jean-Baptiste

As the group was playing an old Beach Boys tune, Surfin' USA, I had a flashback to my early teens on the east coast, walking with my friend Linda Birtles on warm summers' evenings, singing along to that very song.  In our hearts, most of us are still those teenagers.  

Jean Luc carries plates to the table

Around the corner, on Place Gambetta, a "drum line" kind of group, flying the Brazilian flag began their performance.  At times, it clashed with the beat of the rock and roll cover group that was entertaining our little party, but really, who cared? They were energetic and earnest, but will benefit from seasoning and practice. 

Brazilian Drum line at Gambetta

 

I have to confess to being not much of a wine drinker.  All those lovely vintages, with their notes of fruits and spices are completely lost on me---truly it's casting pearls before swine.  I had a bottle of water with my dinner, the "Duck Breast" plate prepared by Michel's crew.  I don't know that I have EVER had a better duck breast--it was perfectly cooked and nearly fork tender. I could cut it very easily with the provided plastic knife. Accompanied by sauteed summer vegetables, roasted potatoes and a crispy-crusted hard roll, the duck made a perfect "barbeque" dinner.  There may have been better music at some of the other spots in town, although I doubt that very much, but there was no better food anywhere!  

Cooking crew

Evidence of a good time

Street fills up

Or better company.  Many of the residents with connections to #34 congregated to share several bottles of wine, singing with the band, dancing and laughter.  At one point, I looked down the street toward the bridge (the Pont Vieux) and marveled at how happy I am that Carcassonne is my home.

La Cite watches over us as the sun sets