Antibes is preparing to get into the Valentines spirit with the Bread, Love and Chocolate festival.

The event was organised by the Italian Chamber of Commerce in Nice in collaboration with The Chamber of Trades and Crafts of the Alpes-Martimes.

It is the 6^th consecutive year that the festival has taken place in the most romantic city on the French Riviera. Bread, Love and Chocolate brings together the original and the best international producers of breads, pastries, chocolates, sweets and gift ideas – all in the theme of love.

The Chamber of Trades and Crafts of the Alpes-Maritimes will also introduce and showcase talented artists, ceramists and fashion designers. There will be an array of hand-crafted jewellery, leather goods, mosaic and glass, which also represent the ‘love’ theme.

The items demonstrate the skill and passion these jobs require and how much they contribute to the prosperity of the businesses on the French Riviera. With over 26,000 companies on the Riviera that dedicate themselves to crafts, the artisans are a vital part of the local economy.

The turnover for the handicrafts sector in the Alpes Maritimes is more than €3 billion.

Love it or loathe it, Valentines day has been a celebration of love for centuries. A similar event dates back to Ancient Rome where they held a festival dedicated to Lupesco – a celebration for the God of fertility that encouraged the principles of Christian love.

Over time there has been a mixture of stories of how Valentines actually originated, however the most popular is that Saint Valentine brought together any boys and girls that passed through his garden.

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Where better to learn how to cook than in France, the culinary capital of the world? And where better to learn to cook in France than the beautiful, exquisite and inspirational region of Provence?

If you fancy creating top-notch food similar to that produced in a region that is world-renowned for its sensational food, then why not embark on a gourmet cooking class at La Bastide des Saveurs, the kitchen of Hostellerie Bérard, located in picture-perfect surroundings in the heart of olive groves and vines.

The magnificent Hostellerie Bérard is typical of the Provencal countryside ambiance. A rustic kitchen is at the heart of this 19^th century house, whilst in the house’s extensive grounds an herb and vegetable garden take centre stage, producing delicious smelling hints of the culinary geniuses that are created in this stunning country home.

Over the four-day course students learn how to make various Provencal recipes, using only the freshest and finest ingredients and local produce. Asides making early morning visits to the country market in Sanary-sur-Mer, where students await the return of the fishing boats to pick up some fresh fish to prepare for lunch, guests will also discover local wine appellations, well you couldn’t complete a cooking course in France without being exposed to French wine in some day, could you?

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For decades ballet has been an important artistic expression in Monte Carlo. In 1985, Les Ballets de Monte Carlo was founded, a classical ballet company, which is the official national dance company of the Principality of Monaco, that was established by Her Royal Highness the Princess of Hanover in accordance with the wishes of her mother, Princess Grace of Monaco.

Since its inauguration, Les Ballets de Monte Carlo, has attracted some of the biggest and most highly-esteemed names in the world of ballet, with its opening performance in 1985 casting several of the Paris Opera as guest stars.

In 1992 the world-renowned and highly influential French dancer and choreographer, Jean-Christophe Maillot, joined Les Ballets de Monte Carlo as an artistic consultant, and was quickly promoted to director of choreography. Because of Maillot’s passion, creative vision and energy, Les Ballets de Monte Carlo, helped to create an increased demand and popularity, moved to a much bigger and glamorous location at the new congress centre in Monaco, known as the Grimaldi Forum.

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