L’ART & LARD

L’Art & Lard is an event that takes place in Le Petit-Pressigny in early October every year.  It’s name translates literally as “the art and bacon”.  So it’s a sort of country show which celebrates local arts and crafts and food.

Walking round the village you will find the little red flag attached to buildings, doorways and gateposts to indicate that something arty is taking place inside.  There is also a central area where stalls are set up for people selling their artwork, food products and crafts.

There are paintings, sculptures and things that are hard to categorise placed all over the village in people’s barns, gardens, conservatories and garages, as well as in the public buildings.

Down by the river someone was taking a great interest in something unusual.

It turned out to be a display of plastic windmills.

That’s what I like about the Art & Lard.  It’s a nice, colourful, civilised, gentle event, where anything goes and it always makes me smile as I admire the inventiveness of some people.

The long table was set out for the speeches and prizes.  There was an apple tart competition which I intended to look at but I didn’t find it anywhere.

The whole even is very bright and cheery with seasonal produce on display and for sale.

The crafts ranged from hand-made jewellery (very nice, too) to large metal sculptures and local pottery, made by Magalie, the potter from our own village.  We have bought quite a few of her pieces over the years.

Down by the river there were large sculptures dotted around.

Food was available to buy and take home or to eat on site, with the sausage and frites stall, the three course meal in the salle des fêtes and, of course, the English Tea Rooms where you could have tea or coffee with a slice of yummy cake, a bun, or even a traditional cream tea.  With enormous effort, I managed to resist.  Largely because I was still full of toasted brioche from breakfast !!

There are few things we look forward to as much as the Art & Lard every year.  I find it difficult to say why, but we do.  It’s a great event to catch up with friends, stock up on unusual foods and see some local art.

Bon weekend !!