Bravade des Espagnols

Traditional festival

Saint-Tropez

Saturday 15 June 2024

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A bit of history ... In 1618, the Thirty Years' War broke out. But it was not until 1635 that France declared war on the Habsburgs (Spain and Austria) and the Spanish offensive was not long in coming.

The defence of Saint-Tropez in the event of an attack was therefore organised by the military authority and the community council...

On 15 June 1637, twenty-one Spanish galleys entered the gulf and headed for Saint-Tropez to destroy four of the King's ships that had come to the port to carry out some repairs. The battle lasted three hours and saw the defeat of the Spaniards who were unable to sink the ships of the King of France.
Aware of the importance of this battle, the people of St Tropez decided in a community council on 12 July 1637 "to thank the Sovereign God for the grace and favour he gave us on the fifteenth day of the month of June last morning, to have given us the strength to defend ourselves from the attack made by twenty-one Spanish galleys which fought us for about three hours. On this subject, the said council is requested to deliberate that in the future on that day there will be a feast in this place and a general procession in thanksgiving..." (1637, July 12, Archives of France, p. 4).

(1637, July 12, Municipal Archives of Saint-Tropez, BB8 f°44V° (extract/transcription: Bernard Romagnan, Syndicat Mixte du Golfe de Saint-Tropez, Pays des Maures. In 1641, the town commissioned three paintings (in the town council room) to preserve the memory of this glorious day.
Prestations
  • Free of charge.

  • French
Address
Bravade des Espagnols
83990 Saint-Tropez
04 94 55 90 00
www.saint-tropez.fr
Opening

Saturday 15 June 2024.