Day 2943 (Sunday) 29th June 2025

It was super hot this morning and we went to Beaulieu to see the Saint Pierre parade. We got there a bit early and sat in the shade near the look-out point.

The gardens of La Reserve hotel were looking lovely…

…as were the flowers in the park.

The parade was after a service in this church and it headed towards the port.

These little boys carried the tributes that are thrown into the sea to remember the men that were killed at sea.

This is Saint Pierre

Then they took Saint Pierre onto a boat to go and throw the wreaths.

 The following are the celebrations all over the Alpes-Maritimes (none of the following photos are mine)

SAINT-PIERRE'S DAY

Tradition and Tribute to the Fishermen of the Alpes-Maritimes

The fête de la Saint-Pierre is a maritime celebration anchored in Nice, Cagnes-sur-Mer and Beaulieu-sur-Mer that takes place around June 29.

Every year, the towns of Nice, Cagnes-sur-Mer and Beaulieu-sur-Mer perpetuate a tradition dear to the hearts of Mediterranean inhabitants: the Fête de la Saint-Pierre.
Honouring the patron saint of fishermen, this symbolic festival pays tribute to maritime life, to fishermen and to those who, generation after generation, have forged strong ties with the sea.
Organised around the end of June, this festival is closely linked to St. Peter's Day on June 29, the day on which the Apostle Peter is honoured.
This saint, once a fisherman and Christ's first apostle, is celebrated for his protection of fishermen and the sea, a tradition that symbolises the maritime community's faith and respect for their environment.
Discover other towns in the region celebrating Saint Peter's Day.

Photo Credit Ville de Nice

 

SAINT PETER'S DAY IN NICE

PROCESSIONS AND FESTIVE EVENTS

In Nice, the Fête de la Saint-Pierre takes place in the heart of the port and in the fishermen's quarter around June 29.

Photo Credit Ville de Nice

PROCESSION AT SEA AND BLESSING OF THE BOATS

In the city of Nice Saint Peter's Day is celebrated in the heart of Nice's port and fishermen's quarter.
It's a fervent day when locals and visitors alike gather for a procession out to sea.
Boats, decorated for the occasion, embark the statue of Saint Peter, followed by the prayers and songs of the faithful.

Photo Credit Ville de Nice

Every year, a priest blesses the boats and invokes the patron saint's protection for the fishermen and their families. This powerful moment, imbued with respect and gratitude, often ends with a tribute to lost sailors, with wreaths of flowers thrown into the sea.

Photo credit Ville de Nice

MUSIC, DANCE AND ENTERTAINMENT IN THE PORT OF NICE

The festivities continue along the harbourfront, with musical entertainment, traditional dances and stalls showcasing local crafts and flavours.
This convivial atmosphere attracts locals and tourists alike, who come to immerse themselves in Mediterranean culture.

The programme includes a procession at sea where the boats, decked out in their finest decorations, embark the statue of Saint Peter, accompanied by the prayers and songs of the faithful.
A priest then blesses the boats, invoking divine protection for the fishermen and their families.
The day often ends with a tribute to lost sailors, with flowers thrown into the sea.

Maritime Heritage, a Nice Tradition 

In Nice, the only maritime port of call for the former House of Savoy, the sea has always been central to local life.
Every day, fishermen set sail to bring back the fish that will feed not only their families, but also the stalls of the Marché de la Marine and Place Saint-François, the beating hearts of life in Nice.
In this port, both humble and essential, links with the sea are rooted in history and tradition, and the community has, since the Middle Ages, chosen Saint Peter as its protector.

Faced with the vagaries of the Mediterranean, Saint Pierre is invoked to calm the elements, and it is under his protection that the fishermen, united, take part each year in a moving procession in Vieux-Nice.
The boats are decked out for the occasion, and take on board the statue of the saint, blessing the sea and the men who work on it.

Photo credit: ville de nice

In the evening, the tradition takes a poignant turn: the fishermen gather on the beach for a unique ceremony of solidarity.
In a gesture of brotherhood, they burn the boat of the poorest among them to offer him a new one, a symbol of renewal and support.
This age-old custom is a reminder of the corporation's spirit of mutual aid, reaffirming that the sea, like their community, remains their ally and protector.

CAGNES-SUR-MER, TRADITION, MEMORY

Celebrated around June 29 at the church and on the seafront in the Cros-de-Cagnes district.

Credit Photo Office de tourisme de Cagnes sur mer

A PROCESSION ON THE SEA IN THE HEART OF CROS-DE-CAGNES

In Cagnes-sur-Mer, it's the Cros-de-Cagnes which celebrates the Feast of St. Peter with all the fervour of the old fishing villages.
Here, the maritime procession takes on a special dimension: the statue of Saint Peter is taken out to sea, accompanied by numerous decorated boats.
This deeply rooted tradition is followed by local fishermen, families and visitors, united in honouring the sea and those who work on it.

Photo credit Cagne sur Mer Tourist Office

ENTERTAINMENT, BLESSINGS AND FESTIVITIES FOR ALL

The port of Cros-de-Cagnes becomes a lively place where blessings, dances and demonstrations of maritime trades punctuate the day. The local produce market also offers a gourmet break at the heart of this traditional festival.

Photo credit Cagnes sur mer Tourist Office

BEAULIEU-SUR-MER, AN INTIMATE AND AUTHENTIC FESTIVAL

In Beaulieu-sur-Mer, the Feast of Saint Peter is more intimate and authentic, taking place at the Sacré Coeur church  and then heading for the marina.

Beaulieu-sur-Mer offers a more intimate version of the Fête de la Saint-Pierre, but just as rich in emotion and respect for tradition.
After a mass dedicated to Saint Pierre, the locals gather on the waterfront for a blessing of the boats and a procession in tribute to the sailors who have passed away.
This more discreet festival retains all its charm, attracting maritime culture enthusiasts and local families alike.

A CELEBRATION OF MARITIME LIFE

Festivities at Beaulieu-sur-Mer sometimes include small-scale entertainment and craft stalls, reminding us of the importance of maritime life and solidarity between sailors.
Here, authenticity is at the heart of the celebration, with a spirit of sharing and remembrance passed down through the generations.

Credit Photo Office de tourisme de Cagnes sur mer

FÊTE DE LA SAINT-PIERRE: A LIVING HERITAGE

More than just a celebration, the Fête de la Saint-Pierre is a symbol of the deep-rooted ties between the people of the coast and their maritime environment.
The choice of June 29 is not insignificant: it pays tribute to Saint Peter, protector of fishermen, whose influence and support have been celebrated for generations.
For the towns of Nice, Cagnes-sur-Mer and Beaulieu-sur-Mer this festival remains a privileged opportunity to perpetuate these traditions and pass on respect for the sea to future generations.

Procession at Cros-de-Cagnes - Photo Credit Office de tourisme de Cagnes-sir-mer

OTHER TOWNS CELEBRATING SAINT PETER'S DAY

Other towns in the Alpes-Martimes celebrate St. Peter's Day, such as Menton and Villefranche-sur-Mer.

In the Var, several coastal towns also celebrate the Fête de la Saint-Pierre to honour maritime traditions and the patron saint of fishermen. Here are just a few of the towns in the Var where this festival is particularly lively:

Toulon:
As a major military port and fishing town, Toulon celebrates St. Peter's Day with maritime processions, boat blessings and ceremonies at sea.

Sanary-sur-Mer:
Sanary is very attached to traditional fishing, and organises a festival with a procession at sea and entertainment in the port, paying tribute to Saint Pierre and local fishermen.

Le Lavandou:
This seaside resort celebrates St. Peter's Day with a procession at sea and festive events in the harbour, including boat blessings and maritime entertainment.

Photo Credit Office de tourisme de Cagnes Sur Mer

Bandol:
The town organises processions and celebrations for St. Peter's Day, with ceremonies in the harbour and blessings of the boats.

Saint-Tropez:
The iconic town on the Côte d'Azur also celebrates this festival, sometimes more discreetly, but always as a tribute to the traditions of fishing and the sea.

La Seyne-sur-Mer:
As a port city, La Seyne-sur-Mer also marks St. Peter's Day with sea-themed processions and festivities.

These Var towns perpetuate the tradition of Saint Peter's Day by organising events that celebrate their maritime heritage, fishing history and the deep ties that bind their inhabitants to the Mediterranean.

Here in Villefranche we have…

Saint Peter's Day June 29 @ 9:30 – 1:00 PM

Saint Peter's Day, the traditions of the seafarers

9:45 a.m. – Gathering at Place de la Paix

10 a.m. – Mass at Saint-Michel Church

11 a.m. – Sheaf launching into the sea

11:30 a.m. – Friendly drink in Wilson Parking Lot