Appendix - France 2014 - page 1581

and Michael Caine (1988), was filmed on the Riviera. Blue/White/Red (1990s) is a styl-
ish trilogy of films by Krzystof Kieslowski, based on France's national motto—“Liberty,
Equality, and Fraternity.”
CyranodeBergerac (1990)isaboutahomely,romanticpoetwhowooshislovewith
the help of another, better-looking man. Fans of crime films—and Robert De Niro—will
like Ronin (1998), with multiple scenes shot in France. Saving Private Ryan (1998) is
Steven Spielberg's intense and brilliant story of the D-Day landings.
The Gleaners & I (2000), a quiet, meditative film by Agnès Varda, follows a few
working-class men and women as they gather sustenance from what's been thrown away.
In Amélie (2001), a charming young waitress in Paris searches for love. If you'll be head-
ing to Versailles, consider seeing Marie Antoinette (2006), which stars Kirsten Dunst as
the infamous French queen (with a California accent). La Vie en Rose (2007) covers the
glamorous and turbulent life of the fabled singer Edith Piaf (many scenes shot in Paris).
WoodyAllen's MidnightinParis (2011)isasharpcomedythatshiftsbetweentoday'sPar-
is and the 1920s mecca of Picasso, Hemingway, and Fitzgerald.
Holidays and Festivals
This list includes selected festivals in major cities, plus national holidays observed
throughout France. Many sights and banks close down on national holidays—keep this
in mind when planning your itinerary. Before planning a trip around a festival, verify
its dates by checking with the festival's website or France's national tourism website
( www.franceguide.com ) . Hotels get booked up on Easter weekend, Labor Day, Ascension
Day, Pentecost, Bastille Day, and the winter holidays. For sports events, see
www.sportsevents365.com for schedules and ticket information.
Here is a sampling of events and holidays in 2014:
Jan 1 New Year's Day
Jan 6 Epiphany
Feb-March Carnival (Mardi Gras) parades and fireworks, Nice ( www.nicecarnaval.com )
April 20 Easter Sunday
April 21 Easter Monday
May-Mid-Oct International Garden Festival, Chaumont-sur-Loire ( www.domaine-chaumont.fr )
May Versailles Festival (arts), Versailles
Late May Festival Jeanne d'Arc (pageants), Rouen
May 1 Labor Day
May 8 VE (Victory in Europe) Day