September is the peak of the tomato season in Europe. At the chateau de la Bourdaisiere, where le festival de la tomate is held every year, tomatoes are found that is hardly ever seen on the street with names as cute and funny and original as you can get them; bloody butcher, daxacan jewel, burrackers’ favorite, little monk, black zebra, black prince, banana legs….
…chateau de la bourdaisiére à Montlouis sur Loire…
This sunny weekend in September had everybody out and about, dogs with their owners, mothers with daughters, grandparents, babies, toddlers, fathers carrying tired litle feet on their necks, tired pets carried in backpacks, photographers, writers, dreamers, painters. Le festival de tomate is an occasion to revel in the colours of the September garden. Having just entered la rentreé, where everybody is back to school and work, la festival de tomate provided that last occasion for us to soak up the warmth of the mellow September sun. A last outing before we slowly but surely creep into winter disguise and start our hybernation cycle with our red wines in front of the fireplace.
…walking – but not in the beds, please!…
…children, dogs..backpacks, sunglasses…
The late summer colours of the September garden, already whisper of autumn with reds and yellows, dark purples, greens and oranges, burgundies. The herb gardens are full, the basils are setting seeds, the fennels are standing high and whispy. Pumkins abound in their plump autumn attires and burgundy cock’s combs take the lead to yet another bed, another colour, another discovery, another feast for the eye. Lavenders still stand high and full with flavours whifting through the air.
…reds, oranges, purple, green, yellows…
No festival can be really successful without eat and drink, with Le festival de tomate no exsception. From traditionally baked breads to confitures, to jus de tomates, freshly squeezed, to small tomato appetizers, a variety of fleur de sels, to contemporary creations from l’ecole de la cuisine and last but not least in the eyes of la population Francaise – lunch at set tables under la grande tente marquise – booking essential!
…la dégustation…
Even when experiencing this year after year, it is always fun. Maybe because it is tradition. Maybe because of the ambiance. Maybe because everybody does it. Maybe because we meet friends there. Maybe because the days are so beautiful. Maybe because…well, maybe just because.
… à l’année prochaine!…
How delightful! Someday, perhaps … a dream for me 🙂
LikeLike
I wanna go there so badly…I think it is about time I start living the dream….
LikeLike
I wish I was there too. Great photos…there’s nothing like a good tomato. By the way, did you make my sauce the other night?
LikeLike
I would go every September also!! How could one not? You cannot be blasé before such life!!Thank you..I love these billets doux when I can travel in my pj’s at night or in the morning and make believe~
LikeLike
I just brought in the last of my tomatoes as they are calling for frost tonight! How utterly lucky you are to have such a great choice of heirloom tomatoes. Lovely celebration!
LikeLike
i’ve never heard about this before. thanks for sharing i’ll mark this on calendar hoping not to miss it next time! thanks for the good reportage 🙂 and the tomatoes sooo succulent !
LikeLike
Lovely photos – I was photographing tomatoes in every French garden I came to where they were growing vegetables – now I know why they all looked so yummy!
LikeLike
What a fun experience,…it looks that you had fun,….Thanks for sharing this with us,….
Lovely & fab pictures, yet again!!
LikeLike
Oooh, I want some of those purple calabash tomatoes!!
LikeLike