A fishy time of year...

2011-04-04 09:32

Carnival and Mardi Gras are behind us, and Easter is fast approaching, with its promise of better weather and the keenly-anticipated school holidays. Easter Sunday itself is late this year, but at the start of the month there's another spring tradition that's just as welcome, the day of 'Poisson d'Avril', or April Fish.

The origins of this strangest of customs lie in a European tradition of foolery and merrymaking which dates back to at least mediaeval times, when the year began in March. Indeed it's possible that the original April fools were those people who stubbornly refused to accept the new Gregorian calendar which, of course, began in January.

In England, the US and South Africa, pranks are played on 1 April, but they must be completed before noon, otherwise the tables are turned and the hoaxer becomes the fool.

But in French-speaking countries, including Canada, as well as neighbouring Italy, a genuinely weird tradition of pinning a paper fish on someone without their noticing could happen at any time of day or night on April Fool's Day.

Known as the poisson d'Avril, the paper fish is probably connected with the astrological sign of Pisces, but as the surrealists appreciated, a fish is also an image of absurdity, and to go around with one taped to your back is bound to make you the butt of everyone elses's jokes.

Five places to go to avoid being 'poissonned' this year:

An Easter walk along the coast between Monaco and France. The Mala Coastal Way is one of the most visually attractive places to spend a warm spring day with the family

The spectacular limestone caves of St-Cezaire near Grasse. One of the wonders of the Côte d'Azur, the caves are open from 10.30am. Large groups must reserve, but anyone else can just turn up for a 40 minute guided tour among the otherworldy coloured columns

There are numerous fabulous fish restaurants on the coast, but if you really feel like pushing the boat out, try Le Grill at the Hotel de Paris, which specializes in lobster, bream, and other wonderful fruit of the ocean. Expensive, but one of the great gastronomic experiences of your life - sans doute

2 April -  why not visit Monaco's Oceanographic museum to see at least one ancient fish, the ichthyosaurus Anna? While you're there you can also catch the Mediterranean exhibition, complete with the world's largest Octopus, designed by Chinese artist Huang Yong Ping.

9 April -  Go for a trip to the great underwater observatory in Antibes, Visiobulle - close enough to the fish, but noone's going to actually pin one on you. Trips start 9 April this year, and run to the end of September. A fantastic day out,, especially for the kids

Whatever you get up to this holiday, a very happy Easter from all at CityOut!

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