The city festival for Orthez has come and gone for another year, and with its ending, it feels like the summer has reached its height. Everyone runs a little amok, then gets back to the business of life.  Ortheziennes are starting to talk about the upcoming return to work and school.  Here are a few photos that give a flavor of the events.

Saturday lunch at Chez Cabaillou, is a time honored tradition of the Fetes  d’Orthez.  We had been warned that lunch was served “late”, after along apéro hour, so we arrived about 1:30pm.  The crowd of revelers filled the interior and courtyard of the restaurant and spilled out into the street.  Singing group Los de Broussez animated the room with Chant Béarnais, traditional songs performed in the Béarnais dialect.  Lunch didnt start until almost 4pm, we finally headed home around 6pm.

Whew!  After Thursday and Friday nights and a very long lunch on Saturday, we were exhausted!  We passed on Sunday events…there is always next year!

Chez Cabaillou is a restaurant and bar just around the corner from our little house in Orthez, family run since 1935. At lunch, it bustles with locals enjoying their well prepared daily 3-course lunch menu – an crazy bargain at 16 euros. In the evening, the bar becomes a sort of working man’s hangout, where long-time regulars relax over wine served in tiny balloons (with the pour trembling at the top of the glass, threatening to overflow)  and glasses of anisette.  Americans are tolerated with good humor.  This Friday featured an impromptue performance.

Now celebrating our 11th year of raising the roof on  the 14th of July! Hope you can make it.