What's on in Provence November 2018

It's wine season in Provence. The harvest finished in late October and wineries are producing what will be the 2018 vintage. 'La VTT Vignes' is a unique mountain bike race through the vineyards of the south of the Luberon region. There are three circuits to choose from – 11km, 28km and 40km – all of them going across the area's most picturesque vineyards. Starting in Pertuis, there will be a deliciously warming onion soup awaiting all those who finish the challenge.

If you'd rather just taste the wine, then head to Millévin in Avignon on November 15th. This popular festival celebrates 'Cotes du Rhone' new vintage with wine tastings, wine sales, live music and a parade of winemaking brotherhoods. Restaurants around Avignon will be offering special menus and pairings with Cotes du Rhone wines.

It's also truffle season and dozens of markets and festivals bloom all around the Provencal countryside. Truffle central in November is the small village of Richerenches which celebrates the start of the season with 'Le Ban des Truffes', featuring parades, truffle foraging demonstrations and, of course, a truffle market. This marks the beginning of Richerenches' weekly truffle market which takes place on Saturdays throughout the winter. Carpentras also hosts a big truffle market on Friday mornings, starting on November 16th.

The 'Santons' are traditional Provencal nativity figurines. Made with hand-painted terracotta and dating back to the 19th century, these beautiful miniature statues depict daily life in Provence back then, showcasing the region's main professions, from farmers to fishmongers, chestnut sellers or scissor grinders. Santons fairs spring up all around Provence in the weeks leading up to Christmas. In November, you will find them in Gréoux-les-Bains and Arles.

Steering away from Provencal traditions, the 'Festival des Cinémas d'Afrique' takes place in Apt from November 9th to 16th. This film festival showcases the best African flicks of the year. In 2018, they will screen movies from 15 different countries including Tanzania, Liberia, Gabon, Senegal, Rwanda, Cameroon, Mozambique, Kenya, Burkina Faso and South Africa. There will also be talks with African filmmakers and most films will be followed by a Q&A with its director.