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.

The 2 individuals then fell in love and lived happily ever after. 14^th February is now a popular holiday to celebrate love, with flowers and chocolates becoming a trademark of the day.

The Pain, Amour et Chocolat festival is taking place in the National Place, in the heart of Antibes. It will run from 10^th – 12^th February and offers free admission from 9am – 9pm each day.

Be Sociable, Share!

•