Saint Peter, the Patron of fishermen, is honored in Nice during an event that dates back to the Middle Ages.
Although the Mediterranean today contributes to the fame of our department, it was long considered a source of danger: storms, barbarians, pirates…
Tradition holds that at that time, religion was the only recourse people had to counter the fury of the elements and seek the mercy of heaven.
The fishermen then placed themselves under the protection of Saint Peter. Once a year, they honor their patron saint during a moving procession that takes place in Old Nice.
In the evening, the fishermen’s guild gathers on the beach, burns the boat of the poorest among them, and gives him a new one to thank the protective Saint, ask for protection for the year to come, and uphold the solidarity among the men of the sea.
Even though culture has replaced superstitions, traditions remain. Today, Saint Peter’s Day is still a significant moment in the life of the Port of Nice neighborhood. It is an opportunity to pay tribute to the fishermen, and more broadly, to all those who keep the maritime vocation of Nice and the Alpes-Maritimes alive every day.
