Summer in the French Maritime Alps enters its final stretch with a packed calendar of events dedicated to local traditions. From August 21 to 27, villages across the hinterland and the French Riviera celebrate their patron saints with popular festivals, religious ceremonies, processions, music, dancing, entertainment and communal gatherings.

It is a calendar that showcases some of the region’s most deeply rooted traditions. Alongside solemn Masses and processions, visitors can enjoy pétanque tournaments, aubades, communal dinners, children’s activities, fireworks and traditional local specialties, including soupe au pistou and pan bagnat.

Touët-de-l’Escarène: three days celebrating Saint Louis

From August 21 to 23, Touët-de-l’Escarène hosts three days of celebrations in honor of Saint Louis.

The program combines religious ceremonies and social events, including an opening barbecue, live music, aubades for local residents, Mass, a communal dinner and a wreath-laying ceremony at the war memorial.

The festivities also include a traditional aperitif, pan bagnat and a grand finale with dancing and a DJ set.

La Roquette-sur-Siagne celebrates Saint John the Baptist

From August 21 to 23, Place Saint-Jean in La Roquette-sur-Siagne hosts the traditional patron saint festival dedicated to Saint John the Baptist.

Communal lunches, shows, dancing evenings and a pétanque tournament are all part of the program, creating an atmosphere designed to bring residents and visitors together.

Massoins celebrates Notre-Dame du Rosaire

From August 21 to 23, Massoins celebrates its traditional festival dedicated to Notre-Dame du Rosaire.

The program includes religious services, aubades for local residents, music and dancing, together with the participation of local authorities.

Saint-Dalmas-le-Selvage: music, sports and fireworks

At Saint-Dalmas-le-Selvage, the patron saint celebrations run from August 20 to 23, offering four days of events.

The program includes concerts, a lottery, pétanque tournaments, aubades, a fireworks display and dancing evenings. Religious events include Mass and a commemoration at the war memorial, while aperitifs and activities for children complete the schedule.

Saint-Jeannet celebrates Saint John the Baptist

From August 21 to 24, Saint-Jeannet celebrates Saint John the Baptist with a program combining religious traditions and entertainment.

Communal dinners, aubades, children’s games and live music lead up to the traditional religious procession.

Lucéram celebrates Saint Rosalia

From August 21 to 24, Lucéram hosts four days of celebrations dedicated to Saint Rosalia.

The local Festival Committee organizes a series of events to mark one of the village’s most eagerly awaited summer traditions.

Biot celebrates Saint Julian

From August 21 to 24, the historic center of Biot hosts the traditional patron saint festival dedicated to Saint Julian.

The program includes processions, running races, pétanque and card tournaments, children’s activities, dancing and numerous events organized in collaboration with local associations.

Saorge pays tribute to Saint Roch

From August 21 to 24, Saorge celebrates Saint Roch with four days of festivities throughout the village.

The program includes evening dances, the distinctive traditional square-boule tournament played through the village streets, a torchlight procession, aubades, a ceremony at the war memorial and activities for children.

A communal lunch and a closing Mass at the monastery are also scheduled.

Saint-Dalmas in Valdeblore celebrates the Holy Cross

From August 21 to 25, Saint-Dalmas in Valdeblore celebrates the Holy Cross with several days of religious and community events.

The program ranges from children’s activities to a church blessing and solemn Mass, alongside an official reception, pétanque tournaments and communal dinners. Free dancing is also scheduled every evening.

Saint-Vallier-de-Thiey: food, sport and entertainment

The patron saint festival of Saint Costanzo continues in Saint-Vallier-de-Thiey until August 25.

Highlights include traditional soupe au pistou, fireworks, a lottery and spit-roasted meat, together with pétanque tournaments, guided walks and religious ceremonies.

Bonson renews its Saint Benedict celebrations

In Bonson, the historic patron saint festival dedicated to Saint Benedict of Nursia continues until August 25.

The longstanding tradition includes Mass, a lunch offered to local residents, traditional dancing and a pétanque tournament, placing community participation at the heart of the celebrations.

Belvédère: five days of faith and folklore

From August 21 to 25, Belvédère hosts five days of festivities in honor of Saints Peter and Paul.

The program includes children’s activities, the blessing of the festival, dinners under the marquee, aubades, a torchlight procession, Masses and official ceremonies.

There are also card and pétanque tournaments, dancing evenings, a ventriloquist show and a grand masquerade ball.

Levens: a patron saint festival lasting into September

One of the longest celebrations takes place in Levens, where the festival of Saint Antoninus begins on August 21 and continues until September 2.

The festivities open with an evening dedicated to soupe au pistou, a pasta party and a lottery. The following days include a memorial Mass and tournaments featuring pétanque, belote, rummy and contrée.

The celebrations continue with the traditional musical wake-up, the grand Mass, the farandole through the village streets and the procession dedicated to Saint Antoninus.

Gorbio celebrates Saint Bartholomew

On August 23, Gorbio celebrates Saint Bartholomew with a day dedicated to local traditions.

The program begins with the blessing of animals, followed by Mass and the traditional offering of the golden apple. After the mayor’s speech, the festivities continue with music and soupe au pistou served to local residents.

Roquebrune-Cap-Martin remembers Saint Louis in Cabbé

On August 25, the Cabbé district of Roquebrune-Cap-Martin pays tribute to Saint Louis, commemorating his passage toward the Holy Land.

The day includes Mass, an official reception, a communal lunch and traditional games.

Péone celebrates Saint Vincent into September

In Péone, the patron saint festival dedicated to Saint Vincent runs from August 25 to September 1.

Dancing, pétanque tournaments, concerts and numerous community events will bring residents and visitors together for several days, making the village one of the highlights of the late-summer festival calendar in the Maritime Alps.

A summer of traditions and local identity

The patron saint festivals held in late August reveal one of the most authentic sides of the French Maritime Alps. In small mountain villages as well as towns closer to the French Riviera, religious celebrations become an opportunity to meet, share a meal, enjoy music, take part in a procession or watch a show.

These traditions remain an important part of local identity even during the height of the tourist season. For anyone visiting the Maritime Alps between August and early September, the festivals offer a chance to discover a lesser-known side of the region, shaped by villages, faith, gastronomy, folklore and community spirit.