4 Unmissable Summer
Provençal traditions.
In the summer, you have the opportunity to do a lot of activities. Why not go deeper in Provence’s culture, living its traditions ? We offer you our selection of four unmissable Provençal summer traditions.
Les Feux de la Saint Jean, a fiery summer festival.
At first a pagan cult, it was from the 5th century that the Church converted this celebration into a holiday in the honour of Saint John the Baptist. The « Saint Jean » became a popular holiday where everyone met in both joy and friendship to welcome the « good season ». Nowadays, towns light their fires with the Canigou’s flame at 10pm. Each locality organizing its festivities with its own programme (traditional animations with the presentation of Provençal costumes, blessing of the flame, Mass, etc.).
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Credit: Blackstones707
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Les Fêtes de la Saint Eloi.
Saint Eloi is very popular in Provence, patron saint of goldsmiths and of craftspersons working metals (blacksmiths farriers,..). He is also the protector of pack animals. The « cavalcade » is the central point of this big popular “fête”. Indeed, the «charrettes feuillues», floats decorated with young elm branches, are pulled by about 30 work horses as a souvenir of the time when these animals were used for work and transport. These wagons are accompanied by inhabitants wearing the typical costumes of Provence and by provençal music. Villages and towns can add their own programme : mass, abrivados…
The « Abrivados ».
credit: T.Lilly
It started as a tradition where bulls were guided from the pastures to the arenas, under the scrutiny of their herdsmen. During the crossing of the villages, some young people (the « atrapaïre ») would try to free the bulls for fun. Therefore the herdsmen made their bulls cross the village in a gallop. It nowadays is a much attended event, and is organized during summer feasts in many Provencal towns. The streets are blocked to prevent the bulls from escaping. The atrapaïre still attempt to free the bulls as the herdsmen have to show their dexterity in controlling the bulls. Rest assured no animals or injured in this cross village chase.
15th August – Fête de l’Assomption
This is not typically Provencal in essence, but it is too important a holiday not to be noted here. This date is first and foremost a religious feast celebrating The Virgin Mary’s Assumption, it was for a long time France’s National Day (it is coincidently Napoleon’s birthday) before being replaced by the 14th July. After Mass, parishes organize colourful traditional processions, whilst villages and towns run antique fairs, banquets and firework displays open to all. It is worth enquiring at the nearest Mairie or Office du Tourisme on planned events when staying in Provence in mid-August as this a highly popular holiday and will see very large numbers of attendees.
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Do you have a favourite Provençal summer holiday we have not mentioned here? A quirky festival you would never miss or well kept secret tradition you have attended and would like to share? Do not hesitate to leave a comment under this article, we would be happy to read about your experience.
