Descent of the Shepherds 24 December

Allauch, always good for Christmas atmosphere, has a live performance of the revelation of the birth of Jesus to the shepherds. It's entertaining even if you dont speak Provençal. It starts at 10:15 pm in the hills above the city and ends with the shepherds herding their sheep down the street to a living creche in the church for midnight mass that starts at 11pm. Just the ticket.

If you have young children aged 6-12 years, there are activities in the village on 24 December between 2 and 5pm.

Christmas Market Allauch 8 and 9 December

Get into the mood by visiting Allauch's Provençal Christmas market, Santa will be there (of course), there are stalls selling food (marrons glacés, chocolate and local nougat) and drink and you'll find those elusive perfect Christmas presents. There will be activites for children of all ages. It starts on Saturday afternoon and is open Sunday from 10am.

You can also go to the Vieux Bassin to see Gilbert Orsini's animated creche. The whole gallery is filled with images of Provençal villages inhabited by santons spinning yarn, making bread and celebrating Christmas - definitely worth a look.

To get to Allauch from central Marseille take metro line 1 to La Rose and bus 144 from there.

Food and Wine Festival Allauch 4 November

Go along to the village of Allauch for a Sunday treat. It's the annual festival of food and wine. It runs all day and features wine from all over France and local specialities such as tapenade, aubergine caviar and olive oil. You can also enjoy some provençal music and dancing presented by Leis Ami d'Alau.

To get there take metro line 1 to La Rose and bus 144 to the terminus in Allauch village.

German Beer Festival in Allauch, 25 August

A little bit of Bavaria in Provence, the 23rd Allauch Beer Festival is a celebration of the village's twin town Vaterstetten in Bavaria. So you can dress in Lederhosen (if you must), drink beer and eat sauerkraut. It's a bit pricey at 34€ a head but good German beer is hard to find in these parts. It's at the Gymnase Jacques Gaillard (Pie d'Autry) at 8pm. Take a taxi!

You need to reserve, to do so ring: 04.91.07.23.23 or contact the Allauch Tourist office, e-mail ot.allauch@visitprovence.com, tel: 04.91.10.49.20.

Feast of Saint John 23 & 24 June Allauch

A bit of Provençal tradition. The patron saint of the region is celebrated in different villages during the spring and summer. In Allauch on Saturday evening it's the procession and lighting of the fire of Saint Jean and on Sunday it's the great parade with working horses and decorated wagons. The local restaurants will be serving Aïoli (you probably need to book). A festive atmosphere in a village on the outskirts of Marseille. The programme is on the village website.

The arrival of the shepherds Allauch 24 December

For a traditional provençal start to Christmas make your way to Allauch on the border of Marseille to see the shepherds leading their sheep from the hills. It's a performance in Provençale by volunteers, though the sheep probably dont get a choice. If you're driving dont try to park in old village because that's where it all happens. You can also take part in midnight mass via a big screen outside the church, there's not room for everyone inside. It Starts at 10:30pm but get there early to avoid the traffic.

Donkey Day 4 December

For children of all ages. In the village of Allauch, a day dedicated to donkeys, with rides, a procession of donkeys and a market. Details are on the village website.

Donkey Day