Wednesday, September 14, 2016

Festival International de Cerf-Volant, Dieppe, 2016

Last weekend I went to Dieppe.

For the bi-annual Festival International de Cerf-Volant. Maybe the biggest kite fete in the world.
You know how you always see those waving flags and banners in French paintings?
That's what you'll see plenty of at the kite festival. The French love their flags and banners.
It was perfect weather for kite flying. Each tent represents 35-45 of the countries taking part.
I arrived Saturday morning just a the weekly marché was getting going.
It winds through all the small streets of Dieppe, just up the Normandy coast from Etretat and Fecamp.
Of course there is Normand Neufchatel cheese in all sizes and so fresh.
Normands like their hounds big, unlike Parisians.
Inside the China tent spectacular kites.
Australian Aborigines were honored guests this year.
Sunday the grand parade starts at 10 sharp. A very lively band went all through Dieppe with all the represented countries following. The festival goes on all week. From the 10th through the 18th.
Canada too were honored this year waving their maple leafs like mad in the parade.
I was the honored guest of Sollie Kanani, who ferry boat company, DFDS runs trips between France and the UK. You can get your picture taken with their Lego boat by the way.
I saw the perfect setup for any plein aire watercolor painter for the beach including your own sea gull.
Plenty of kites are flown on the beach along with the fair grounds.
Some folks are still stitching up their kites.
Dozens of tents offered beautiful kites for sale. So tempting. Lots of kite-making demos too.
The Dieppe ladies who lunch were simply indulging in glass of wine. No fussing with strings and paper kites. They could try one of these pin-wheels. Probably more my speed too. Thanks for reading Parisbreakfast! If you like this post please support it by 
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21 comments:

  1. My heart soared when I glimpsed the "hounds"....I thought you'd finally captured Barbet! But, I'm not certain....the faces look too long and poodle-y and the clips are definitely poodle-esque, not long and fluffy Barbet. They do have the long tails of Barbet, but I don't know if poodles have their tails docked (getting less popular these days, so many docked breeds don't get docked now). Still, it's all good! They are handsome guys!

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    1. They are definitely Poodles Dahlink!!

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  2. Wonderful exuberance, love the color and expressive lines of your drawings!!

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  3. Your watercolor w/ the kites and stripes..so pretty..I am a huge fan of kites..in fact one of my favorite photos taken in Florida w/ my grandsons..involve a kite..against a blue sky..they are magical.
    A one time friend..had standard poodles.. but all black and all white.Magic and Midnight were the blacks..Sunday Boy white..I am amazed I remember..
    Love the plein air window too and your agenda pages..

    heart shaped cheese and berries picked the night before~

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    1. Those super fresh berries never turned either like the ones you buy in the supermarket here!
      Amazing.

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  4. Robert H3:15 PM

    Love this post, and all the color, and design, etc.

    What a good eye you have, and brush hand.

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  5. What a lovely time to visit Dieppe! I've never been yet, but you've inspired me to go! Lovely watercolors, as always! CC

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    1. Definitel go when a fete is on like the kites or upcoming
      19 et 20 novembre
      Foire aux Harengs et à la Coquille Saint-Jacques - Quai Henri IV - Dieppe
      Its not as scenic as Trouville.

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  6. Looks like glorious fun, Carol, and I love the paintings that came out of it!

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  7. Vicki N.11:50 AM

    Brilliant watercolors and photo essay, Carol. Thank you so much!

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  8. Looks like great fun - love the kites and your watercolors of them. The shop window is a dream and the strawberries look perfect. I am missing France so much right now so your blog is especially welcomed.

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  9. Allison C1:42 PM

    Love the latest post on the kite festival. Very enjoyable. And the painting on the beach I thought was terrific!!!!

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  10. I love the opening watercolor and painting, Carol. The photos that follow are perfect, too; I love the dogs and the shot into the store window with the reflections on the glass.
    It looks like a great place to be for the end of summer.

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    1. Thanks Paul. You have such a good eye...had to go back and look in that window for the reflections!

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  11. Thanks, Carol. I have been to Etretat and Fecamp but not Dieppe. Can you help me translate the sign that's in the picture of strawberries: ?????? yesterday evening?? Is that the word for spoon? I'm so confused....

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    1. Means they were picked that evening...I forget the verb to pick.

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    2. Also I would go to Trouville and Honfleur first unless a special fete is on in Dieppe. Most of the architecture is triste there :((

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  12. Or has Le Table de Nana figured it out for me.... picked the night before?

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  13. Dear Carol, this fete looks like lots of fun. The air borne kites are fabulous watercolor subjects. I have made a note of Dieppe/September. xo

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  14. What a great trip! Wish I could eat some of those strawberries. Love your kite paintings with all the different colours.

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