The first large-scale Sud de France Festival will recreate a perfect day in the South of France.  It brings to London the adventurous gastronomy and wines of the sun soaked destination of Languedoc-Roussillon, an authentic food market and music from the region's Worldwide Festival curated by acclaimed DJ Gilles Peterson.  The vibrant event will be free to enter and take place on Saturday 31 August 2013 on an extensive stretch of the South Bank; from Riverside Walkway with its Thames views, through to leafy Bernie Spain Gardens next to Oxo Tower Wharf, SE1.

The festival will be relaxed, energising and inspiring. Its family friendly mood will bring to life the many attractions which draw visitors to one of France's most popular destinations: rolling countryside, rugged Mediterranean coastline, beautiful beaches, delicious speciality foods, world class wines, and the cultural heritage of Montpellier, Perpignan and beyond.

• Attractions will take place both in the open air and under cover.  Visitors can experience:
• French market traders selling a variety of delicious regional foods and produce.
• Pop-up restaurants offering a menu of authentic artisanal dishes will take bookings.
• A pétanque pitch with a competition.A beach of fine sand, where visitors can take part in a sand castle competition to build the iconic sites of Languedoc-Roussillon, such as the medieval city of Carcassonne.
• Chefs, food producers, winemakers, and travel experts will host talks and taste experienceA tourist office with information on the best places in the region to visit as well as a book signing by best-selling author Kate Mosse.
• At dusk, DJ Gilles Peterson steps onto the stage with the sounds of his renowned, annual Worldwide Festival from the beach of Sète.

Saturday 31 August 12 noon to 9pm, free admission. Sud de France Joie de Vivre Festival

On the South Bank - Riverside Walkway & Bernie Spain Gardens, Upper Ground, next to Oxo Tower Wharf, London SE1 9PH.  Tube/train: Waterloo, Southwark.

A Press preview session and breakfast will take place on festival day, 31 August 10 to 11am.

Facebook: SuddeFranceFestivalUK                    

Web: www.festival-suddefrance.com/Londres.1.0.html

Twitter: @Suddefranceuk / #suddefrance

ABOUT SUD DE FRANCE

Created and championed by the Languedoc-Roussillon region, Sud de France is an umbrella brand that brings together under a single banner the very best that the southern French region of Languedoc-Roussillon has to offer, from wine and food to hotels and destinations; in a way that is easy for consumers around the world to identify and understand.  Sud de France responds to consumer demand, providing a simple, memorable formula that identifies food and wine with a guaranteed provenance, and the stamp of the Mediterranean sun.

www.sud-de-france.com

PRESS INVITATION - PREVIEW RECEPTION ON TUESDAY 23 JULY 6-8PM

Maison de la Région Languedoc-Roussillon, 6 Cavendish Square, London W1G 0PG

RSVP and for more press information, photography, and interviews, please contact:

Su-Lin Ong, PR / Elastic Productions   020 8747 4843 / 07973519176     sulinong@slo-london.co.uk