September is one of the best months to discover the lesser-known side of the French Riviera. Beyond the beaches and seaside resorts, the villages of the Alpes-Maritimes come alive with patron saint festivals, religious celebrations, food events, agricultural fairs and community gatherings.<\/p>\n
From Nice to Menton, from the coast to the Mercantour mountains, the September 2026 calendar offers numerous opportunities to experience local traditions and discover the cultural and gastronomic heritage of the region.<\/p>\n
The month begins in Tourrette-Levens<\/strong>, where September 4 is dedicated to Saint Rosalia<\/strong>. The celebrations include a religious service, the traditional offering of the rooster, a procession and official ceremonies.<\/p>\n The programme continues with a communal dinner and dancing, together with entertainment and activities for children.<\/p>\n On September 5, Saorge<\/strong> hosts its traditional pilgrimage to Maurion<\/strong>. The day begins with Mass at the chapel, followed by an aperitif and picnic shared among participants.<\/p>\n The programme also includes a friendly game of p\u00e9tanque, combining religious tradition with a convivial atmosphere.<\/p>\n In Beaulieu-sur-Mer<\/strong>, the feast of Notre-Dame de la Nativit\u00e9<\/strong> takes place on September 5.<\/p>\n The celebrations include Mass, a jazz-accompanied procession and a ceremony at the war memorial, followed by official speeches. In the evening, residents and visitors can enjoy a communal dinner and dancing in Place Marinoni.<\/p>\n The Vieux Nice<\/strong> district celebrates Le Malonat<\/strong>, one of the city’s historic popular traditions, on September 5 and 6.<\/p>\n The celebration dates back to the cholera epidemic of 1854 and is closely linked to prayer and religious devotion. The programme includes religious moments, a procession and activities involving the neighbourhood community.<\/p>\n Food lovers can head to Le Broc<\/strong> on September 5 for an evening dedicated to one of Provence’s most iconic dishes: soupe au pistou<\/strong>.<\/p>\n The communal dinner includes cheese and dessert and is accompanied by music, creating a typically Proven\u00e7al atmosphere centred on sharing and conviviality.<\/p>\n On September 6, La Colle-sur-Loup<\/strong> celebrates Saint Donat<\/strong> with a programme combining religious tradition and outdoor activities.<\/p>\n After Mass at the chapel, the festivities continue with paella, fishing activities, p\u00e9tanque and music along the Loup River.<\/p>\n In Antibes<\/strong>, the historic Safranier<\/strong> district hosts another traditional soupe au pistou gathering on September 5.<\/p>\n The event offers an opportunity to enjoy a classic Proven\u00e7al dish while experiencing the warm community spirit of one of the city’s most characteristic neighbourhoods.<\/p>\n One of the most distinctive traditional events of the month takes place in Peille<\/strong> on September 5 and 6.<\/p>\n The Festin des Baguettes<\/strong> is an ancient celebration associated with the harvest season. The programme includes aubades, Mass, the symbolic distribution of baguettes, traditional dances, aperitifs and music.<\/p>\n The event provides an opportunity to discover one of the village’s oldest popular traditions in an authentic mountain setting.<\/p>\n On September 6, Villefranche-sur-Mer<\/strong> celebrates Saint Grat<\/strong>, with a programme linked to the historic paths and traditions of the town.<\/p>\n The day includes Mass, a picnic and p\u00e9tanque, offering residents and visitors a relaxed way to experience the local community atmosphere.<\/p>\n The village of Thi\u00e9ry<\/strong> hosts a religious celebration dedicated to the Madonna<\/strong> on September 6.<\/p>\n The programme includes a religious service, followed by a communal picnic and p\u00e9tanque, weather permitting.<\/p>\n In Molli\u00e8res<\/strong>, in the municipality of Valdeblore<\/strong>, September 6 is dedicated to the celebration of the Nativity<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Following Mass, participants gather for a shared lunch in the heart of the Mercantour, combining religious tradition with the mountain environment.<\/p>\n From September 10 to 16, Saint-C\u00e9zaire-sur-Siagne<\/strong> celebrates Saint Ferr\u00e9ol<\/strong> with a week of festivities.<\/p>\n The programme includes a funfair, decorated floats, dancing, fireworks and a giant aioli<\/strong>, one of the most characteristic dishes of Proven\u00e7al cuisine.<\/p>\n On September 12, Gr\u00e9oli\u00e8res<\/strong> hosts the traditional celebration at Croix de Verse<\/strong>.<\/p>\n The event begins with a hike followed by Mass, an aperitif and a communal lunch, creating a day dedicated to both spirituality and the surrounding natural landscape.<\/p>\n The village of Contes<\/strong> hosts an agricultural and artisan fair on September 12.<\/p>\n Visitors can explore stalls, participate in activities and discover local products, with a focus on the area’s agricultural traditions and craftsmanship.<\/p>\n The Safranier<\/strong> district in Antibes celebrates the F\u00eate des Vendanges<\/strong> on September 12.<\/p>\n The traditional grape pressing is one of the highlights of the event, with visitors able to discover the production of fresh grape juice and the local cuv\u00e9e.<\/p>\n On September 18 and 19, Peillon<\/strong> celebrates its patron saint festival dedicated to Saint Tecla<\/strong>.<\/p>\n The programme brings together religious ceremonies and community festivities, continuing the village’s long-standing traditions.<\/p>\n From September 18 to 20, Mougins<\/strong> hosts the Sainte-Innocence<\/strong> celebrations.<\/p>\n The event offers a family-oriented programme with activities and workshops for children, music and traditional food, creating a festive atmosphere for residents and visitors of all ages.<\/p>\n The village of Auribeau<\/strong> celebrates its patron saint festival dedicated to Saint Anthony<\/strong> on September 19 and 20.<\/p>\n The programme includes a procession, Mass, activities for children and communal meals, which require advance reservation.<\/p>\n On September 20, Luc\u00e9ram and Pe\u00efra-Cava<\/strong> welcome autumn with a festival dedicated to local products, crafts and the agricultural traditions of the hinterland.<\/p>\n The event offers an opportunity to discover regional specialities and enjoy the atmosphere of a traditional mountain village.<\/p>\n From September 25 to 27, Villefranche-sur-Mer<\/strong> celebrates Saint Michael<\/strong>.<\/p>\n The programme includes traditional aubades, p\u00e9tanque and square boules, followed by a festive dinner with dancing. The celebrations culminate in a solemn Mass.<\/p>\n In Menton<\/strong>, September 26 and 27 are dedicated to the celebration of Saint Michael<\/strong>.<\/p>\n The programme includes a solemn Mass at the basilica, a traditional procession, a communal lunch and official ceremonies, bringing together religious devotion and local community traditions.<\/p>\n The September calendar concludes on September 29 in Saint-Paul de Vence<\/strong>, with a neighbourhood celebration dedicated to Saint Michael<\/strong>.<\/p>\n The programme includes the blessing of the local oratory and a communal gathering centred on shared dishes and neighbourhood traditions.<\/p>\n From the French Riviera coastline to the mountains of the Alpes-Maritimes, September 2026 offers a different way to discover the region.<\/p>\n Religious celebrations, patron saint festivals, traditional food, agricultural fairs, processions, music and community gatherings provide an authentic glimpse into the cultural identity of the French Riviera and its hinterland.<\/p>\n For travellers looking beyond the region’s beaches and famous resorts, these events are an opportunity to explore small villages, taste local specialities and experience traditions that continue to bring communities together from generation to generation.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" September is one of the best months to discover the lesser-known side of the French Riviera. Beyond the beaches and seaside resorts, the villages of the Alpes-Maritimes come alive with patron saint festivals, religious celebrations, food events, agricultural fairs and community gatherings. From Nice […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":34310,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[846,850,907],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-34313","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-actuality","category-events","category-french-riviera"],"yoast_head":"\nSeptember 5 \u2013 Pilgrimage to Maurion in Saorge<\/h2>\n
September 5 \u2013 Notre-Dame de la Nativit\u00e9 in Beaulieu-sur-Mer<\/h2>\n
September 5\u20136 \u2013 Le Malonat in Nice<\/h2>\n
September 5 \u2013 Pistou Soup in Le Broc<\/h2>\n
September 6 \u2013 Saint Donat in La Colle-sur-Loup<\/h2>\n
September 5 \u2013 Pistou Soup in Antibes<\/h2>\n
September 5\u20136 \u2013 Festin des Baguettes in Peille<\/h2>\n
September 6 \u2013 Saint-Grat in Villefranche-sur-Mer<\/h2>\n
September 6 \u2013 Madonna celebration in Thi\u00e9ry<\/h2>\n
September 6 \u2013 Nativity celebration in Molli\u00e8res<\/h2>\n
September 10\u201316 \u2013 Saint-Ferr\u00e9ol in Saint-C\u00e9zaire-sur-Siagne<\/h2>\n
September 12 \u2013 Croix de Verse in Gr\u00e9oli\u00e8res<\/h2>\n
September 12 \u2013 Agricultural and Artisan Fair in Contes<\/h2>\n
September 12 \u2013 Grape Harvest Festival in Antibes<\/h2>\n
September 18\u201319 \u2013 Saint Tecla in Peillon<\/h2>\n
September 18\u201320 \u2013 Sainte-Innocence in Mougins<\/h2>\n
September 19\u201320 \u2013 Saint Anthony in Auribeau<\/h2>\n
September 20 \u2013 Autumn Festival in Luc\u00e9ram and Pe\u00efra-Cava<\/h2>\n
September 25\u201327 \u2013 Saint Michael in Villefranche-sur-Mer<\/h2>\n
September 26\u201327 \u2013 Saint Michael in Menton<\/h2>\n
September 29 \u2013 Saint Michael in Saint-Paul de Vence<\/h2>\n
A September dedicated to local traditions<\/h2>\n