Nuit du Petit Saint Jean

The historical city centre of Valréas, from Notre Dame church to Chateau de Simiane, is full of costumed medieval drummers, sword-bearers, commandants and other... All parade behind the little Saint John dressed in his sheep skin, holding aloft his banner and the Cross. The cortege of light and colour is stunning. Pontifical trumpets herald the arrival of the crowd and the child is bestowed with his year's powers, conferred upon him from the previous little saint. Thus Valréas has a new saint, a small child between the ages of 3 and 5, for a new year. Full of history and legend, this ceremony is dear to the hearts of the people of Valréas and moves all those who come to partake.

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