Monday 18th July

Sigoules is quite a small village not far from Eymet.  It may be small but it manages to put on one of the best festivals in the whole area.  It is called the Wine Festival, but it is much like all the other festivals; lots of food and wine and music.  But much more.  There must have been around fifty stalls selling wines from around the region, some Biological which we tried and were impressed by.  We went on Saturday night, and there were hundreds, maybe more than a thousand people, mostly French, there; the festival attracts people from miles around.  The food offering was amazing; as well as the traditional moules et frites and barbequed duck, there was a Chinese stall, steaks and pork and roast hams, all manner of cheeses and cold meats and a wonderful paella (which we ate) full of mussels, clams, chicken and squid.  This along with a selection of melon was all of ten euros fifty.  The main event is held in a large area which is normally tennis courts and basketball hoops, but was now decorated with orange and yellow streamers, rows of tables and chairs and a huge stage.

As it started to get dark the entertainment began and  people flooded into the makeshift arena, benches being rapidly handed out to those without seats.  A French Cabaret followed; to a loud backing track four singers belted out a few numbers, then a long break before the spectacular.   It was incredibly professional and remarkably kitcsh at the same time.  Six dancing girls, very scantily clad with huge ostrich feather ‘wings’ moving with military precision and bum cheeks winking in unison.  The singing continued, almost exclusively in French; there were a couple of comedy numbers (again in French so we found it hard to follow but the crowd roared with laughter) and a female contortionist who in a spangly costume managed to bend herself double in every way possible; there was also a male gymnast who around a vertical pole held horizontal positions which would make Olympic Gymnasts jealous.  Between each ‘act’ the girls returned in a variety of ever more extravagant costumes and exotic routines.  Despite the rather ‘old-fashioned’ nature of the whole show it was highly enjoyable, especially after a few glasses of wine.

We left at 11.30 and the show was still going on…and the whole thing will be repeated on Sunday.  Incredible.