Folklore and traditions

About : Folklore and traditions

The Provençal culture is rich in age old traditions and history. This is apparent in so much of the day to day life of the people and the atmosphere in this wonderful place.

Markets: a Provençal tradition

One of the reasons Provence is such a romantic region is because of the traditions that are encapsulated into the people who live there. They love and live for the old ways of life.

The market days are part of this and a pleasurable experience for visitors; they are as much about socialising for locals as they are about practicality.

 

Each village holds a market day usually once a week and it is not only a vibrant experience and a chance to buy food, olive oils, fish and wines at affordable prices but it also gives visitors a brief glimpse of the culture in Provence.

 

Saint Sixte Festival in Provence

Although themes of festivals vary across Provence the traditional ones never change and one of these is the Saint Sixte Festival.

The festival is held in Eygalieres. The Saint Sixte Chapel is built on ground that once held a neolithic temple to the God of water. A spring once flowed where the chapel stands today and early agriculturalists made an annual pilgrimage to request rain from the Gods.

The procession to the chapel now includes cowboys (Guardians) on white horses. Nowadays these Guardians protect black bulls of the Camargue but in old Provence they guarded two women, who were relations of Christ, the Maries de la Mere of tradition.

The Guardians guard the statue of St Sixte and march beside men and women wearing 18th and 19th century costumes (1780s-1890s) celebrating Arles' traditions.