Oooh La La!...French Poetry Festival

  France, France
Wednesday, March 11, 2009

When it comes to attractions of the theatrical, arty and intellectual kind, the French know how to put on a show.

And for those with a love for the lingo, the works of Baudelaire and Hugo or simply fancy rubbing and shrugging shoulders with bone fide French poets, March is the month to visit.



The annual Printemps des Poetes, - Poets' Spring Festival - is already in full swing but you've still got time to book a cheap flight to France and come and join the arty party.



This March, France's major cities, including Paris, Lyon and La Rochelle are all taking part in the festivals. First created 20 years ago to hurry along the arrival of Spring with a flurry of positive words, the festival has now expanded to incorporate a wide range of events including exciting programmes of theatre and music, as well and spoken word performances.



Paris, in particular, goes mad for the festival, with 5000 different events taking place in various streets, cafes, schools and museums of the capital.





Words of passion, love, betrayal and angst are everywhere: on lamp posts, walls, on busy streets, on trains and on metro stations. These large displays of poetry excerpts will appear from nowhere, making a lovely addition to your sightseeing around town.



If in Paris, also swing by Shakespeare & Co. A writers' haven, it's situated on the Left Bank, and is one of the most popular bookshops in the city, known for offering writers across the world in-house residences. This means they can come to stay, and sleep in the shop, whilst they write and read their way through the massive in-house collection. Expect to be inspired!

In Lyon, arts centres and libraries open their doors and bring amateur poets literally onto the streets. Expect to find road-side readings, and interactive workshops galore.



The theme in Lyon this year is "In Laughter" meaning poems won't be all doom and gloom and tales of lost love, but light-hearted yarns accompanied by lots of physical comedy and fun workshops. There will also be a Jean Tardieu exhibition.



In La Rochelle, expect a more interactive vibe, as many workshops and discussions will be taking place all over town.



Find out more at the website

If you do decide to delve into the minds of great French scribes, make sure you leave time in the evening to eat, drink and be merry.



Choose a pavement-lined café and recite your favourite verses over a carafe of wine or two.

Afterwards, lay your weary head at one of the 11 P&V self-catering apartments in Paris. If you stay three nights, prices are currently 50% off, with some apartments as little as 48 euros per person, per night.



If you are exploring La Rochelle, stay at the Residence Maeva Centre , which has recently been renovated and sits in the bustling Bastion Saint Nicolas district. Take a dip in the pool at the end of your literary day. Grab a studio apartment, which sleeps two for just 94 euros.



Let us know how your get on!

Thanks for reading,
P&V