La Bravade Saint Clément

The Bravade de Saint-Clément is an old tradition in the village of La Garde-Freinet. The patron saint of the parish, Saint-Clément, is celebrated every year to commemorate the transfer of the saint's relics to the church in La Garde-Freinet. Les Amis des Bravades de La Garde Freinet are celebrating the 400th anniversary of the Bravade Saint Clément, created in 1624.

Programme for Saturday 4 May :

- Gathering at Place de l'Hôtel de Ville at 4pm

- OPENING of the 41st Bravade by the Mayor.

- Taking up of arms by the Town Captain

- Presentation of the Saint-Clément banner.
Blessing of the Bravadeurs, musicians and parishioners.

- The procession preceded by the "fifes and drums" and the bravadeurs will head for Place du Baou (Place de l'Eglise) and then move through the upper part of the village, before descending towards the stele of St-Clément and the chapel.

- 17:30: Ceremony at the St-Clément stele.

- Then descent to the chapel of St-Clément and mass at 6pm with the participation of the drummers.

- Return to the village with the fifes and drums and the bravadeurs.

- 7.30 p.m. - We will share a glass of friendship in the Salle des Associations - Place de la Mairie.
This will be followed by a sack lunch...

- 9.30pm - Parade through the village centre

Bravade programme - Sunday 5 May :

- 8:30 am Start of the procession in Place de la Mairie. Fifres et tambours - Bravadeurs - The reliquary of St-Clément - Religious and civil authorities - People wearing the Provençal habit...

- Procession of the relics of Saint-Clément. We will make our way through the old village, which will once again be given pride of place: Place de la Vieille Fontaine - Place de la Vieille Mairie - Place de la Vieille Caserne - Place de L'Amour, then Place Neuve.

- 10.15 Place Neuve :
Welcome by N-D de Miremer. Bravadiers and musicians will pay the honours.
- Blessing of the Reliquary of St-Clément and the banners - Blessing of the bravadeurs - Blessing of the musicians - Blessing of the participants and the bouquets.

- 11am Solemn High Mass for the bravadeurs sung in Provençal by the ESCANDIHADO with the participation of the drummers.
- 12pm Place Neuve: Salute from the Bravade Corps to the authorities.
- 12.30pm Place Neuve: Folk dancing
- 1pm Vin d'Honneur and meal for those registered.