saint cassien

Saint Cassien patron of Cannes

Cannes is resolutely turned towards modernity and is open to the world by the elegant events it hosts. But Cannes inhabitants know how to keep traditions alive and every year share a renewed pleasure to immerse themselves into their origins on the occasion of the Saint Jean Cassien votive feast. The Saint Cassien celebration on July 22, 23 & 24, orchestrated by the Festival Committee of Saint Cassien Cannes, perpetuate an ancient local tradition.

Festivities begun July 22 by a pétanque competition on the Allées de la Liberté in Cannes, followed in the evening by great concert performed by French singer - composer - interpreter Michel Fugain, offered by the City of Cannes, on the Saint Cassien hill, situated near Cannes Airport. Under the trees, Michel Fugain has delighted a large audience.

Cannes history begun on the Saint Cassien hill

The hill of St. Cassien is one of the historic sites of Cannes most steeped in history. Located in the plain of the Siagne river, near Cannes Airport, Saint Cassien is a natural hill that water erosion has preserved. The hill was used as an observation post and supplies for the armies of all ages. This most important ancient site of the town of Cannes showed traces of the earliest occupation dating back to the first Iron Age. On the sports field, west of the airport, the traces of an ancient city were uncovered. At the foot of the hill was discovered a large Roman necropolis with tombs dating from the first century to the fourth century AD.

The Saint Cassien chapel was built in the fourteenth century but it was in 1675 that the present chapel was built on the ruins of the old and the hill of Saint Cassien became a place of pilgrimage.

The Provencal Aubade to the Mayor

On July 23, folk groups marched the street of the city to the sound of the band «L’Avenir L’Islois» from the city of L’Isle sur la Sorgue. The folks groups were: l’Academie dou Miejour, the Provencal Academies of Cannes and Mandelieu, Lei Baisso Luserno and Nissa La Bella. After marching the streets, they offered the «Aubade to Mayor of Cannes», represented by his First Deputy, Mr David Lisnard. Songs and dances were performed, peppered with blunderbusses gunshots before sprays of flowers were placed and Mr Lisnard speech.

In the evening, a ball took place at Saint Cassien hill.

Video of a provencal dance and farandole during the «Aubade to the Mayor»

The Provencal Mass and Stock Dance at Saint Cassien hill

On July 24, a provencal open-air Mass was celebrated on the Saint Cassien hill, close to the chapel, said by Father Paul Chalard in front of a large audience, accompanied with cicadas songs.

During the Mass, Father Chalard blessed the vine stock that would be used for the «Stock Dance». The stock dance was performed by the Provencal "Academy Dou Miejour". Ladies danced a farandole around a fire of vine shoots and then the blessed stock was thrown into the fire. This dance calls for Saint Cassien to help producing good grapes.

After the stock dance, people sat at tables to enjoy the conviviality of the traditional picnic under the shade of trees.

A ball ended the celebrations in the evening.