Valentine’s Day is more than a box of chocolatesย in France. It’s a day to celebrate the myths and legends of Saint Valentine.ย
While Valentine’s Day in Paris, France, is synonymous with candlelit dinners and strolls along the Seine, Roquemaure invites visitors to experience a celebration rooted in myth and community. Here, the legend of Saint Valentine comes alive every odd year, transforming the hamlet into a vibrant festival that honors love in a uniquely local way.
Roquemaure,ย a hamlet in the south of France, boasts a special connection to Saint Valentine. Each odd year,ย on the weekend closest to Valentine’s Day, more than fifteen thousand tourists descend on the town for a big party to honor the myths and legends.
Valentine Myths and Legendsย
Roquemaure’sย Legend of Saint Valentine
As in many early stories about France, wine plays a leading role. This is no different.
Roquemaure and wine have been synonymous since Roman times. In the seventeenth century, the small village on the right bank of the Rhรดne River produced some of the best wines in France. Roquemaure’s port and access to established shipping routes spread its reputation around the world. Those in the “know” craved the fine wines labeled “Cรดte du Rhรดne.”
Access to world trade routes brought fame and fortune to Roquemaure. It brought problems, too. The deadly grapevine disease, phylloxera, entered France through Roquemaure in the 1860s.
When the “spots of Roquemaure” devoured local vineyards and were rapidly spreading to fields across France, a rich and powerful wine estate owner from Roquemaure traveled to Rome.
He was intent on bringing home a holy relic that would restore the health of the vines, and the wealth of the community. Religious relics were very much sought after, spreading in popularity from the church to royalty, and then to the nobility and merchant classes.
It is unclear which of the Saint’s body parts made the journey to Roquemaure. Nevertheless,ย when the wine estate owner arrived home with his gift to the community, he was met by a jubilant crowd. The Bishop from Nรฎmes led the lively procession from the landowner’s chรขteau to the church carrying Saint Valentine’s remains.
La Festo di Poutoun – A Festival of Lovers and Kissers
A century later, in 1969, a festival celebrating Saint Valentine’s arrival in Roquemaure was conceived by town leaders.ย “La Fรชte du Baiser,” also known as “La Festo di Poutoun,” or the Feast of Kisses. The event is a reenactment of the famous nineteenth-century church procession. It is held on or near the weekend of Saint Valentine’s Day, February 14, every two years. Townspeople and visitors parade and dance in period costumes, craftspeople show off their artistry, and merchants spread their wares.
The return to another lifetime includes outdoor markets, food, and entertainment. Fife and drums play alongside dancing ladies.
Valentine Myths and Legendsย
The Myth of Saint Valentine
It is believed by many in Roquemaure, mostly the young and innocent, that Saint Valentine actually walked among them years ago. The tale goes something like this …
Saint Valentine arrived at Roquemaure, having traveled many days through the countryside carrying little money but a heavy sack. Valentine was so impressed he contemplated living in the tiny village. The landscape, the mountains, the olive trees, and the lush vineyards were much to his liking.
While scouting out his surroundings, Valentine noticed a young couple walking in the distance.ย He thought they were stunning, holding hands and sneaking an occasional kiss.
After walking quite a long way, Saint Valentine stopped along the roadside, weary and needing to rest. Just ahead, he saw the couple. They invited him to sit with them.
“Tomorrow Bruno and I are to be married, ” said Elle, the young woman.ย ” Come to our wedding,”ย she coaxed Valentine.
Elle and Bruno’s wedding was expected to be the grandest event of the year in Roquemaure. The guest list included every man, woman, and child in the town.
Valentine was warmly welcomed to join the wedding party on the day of the happy event. He sang and danced along with Elle, Bruno, and their guests. His beautiful smile beguiled them.
Close to the end of the evening, a group gathered around Valentine. Curious, they asked what brought him to Roquemaure. He told them he came there from his home in Rome. Then he told them why he left.
“Only fear, hatred, and blood reign there,” he said. “There is no Love.”
The crowd was captivated.
“No one was using it,” Valentine continued. “So I took the Love away,” he exclaimed.
“He carries Love with him!” they shouted.
That evening,ย every heart, one by one, was filled with Love —ย the Love Saint Valentine carried in his heavy sack.
Phylloxera Photo: olivier.yobregat@vignevin.com
Festival Graphic by:https://brunojustamond.blogspot.com
