Saint-Tropez's Traditional Bravades Festival

The Bravades of Saint-Tropez is a religious and military festival organized every year on 15, 16, 17 and 18 May. This emblematic event pays tribute to Saint Torpes, the city's patron saint. Processions, tromblons and masses punctuate three days of celebrations punctuated by an ancestral ceremony.

The origin of the Bravades dates back to 68 AD, when Saint Torpes was beheaded in Rome for refusing to renounce his faith. His body was placed in a boat with a rooster and a dog, then thrown back onto the shores of present-day Saint-Tropez. At the end of the 15th century, the city was rebuilt and its inhabitants received military privileges. Each year, they march in arms to honor their Saint, continuing a tradition that has never been interrupted.

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Bravades 2025 program:

‍Thursday 15 May

• 21:00 : Departure of the “retreat” — Announcement of the start of Les Bravades in the streets of the village.

Friday 16 May

• 8:00am — 12:00pm : Musical greetings to elected officials and former captains.
• 11:00 : Laying wreaths at the cemetery by an official delegation.
• 15:00 : Little Bravade — Taking the Spade and the Flag.
• 20:00 : End of the day.

Saturday 17 May

• 9:00 : Musketeers' mass.
• 10:00 : General procession through the city.
• 16:00 — 00:00 : Great Bravade — Parade, paper clip shooting, Spade and Flag surrender ceremony.

Sunday 18 May

• Departure of the procession to the Sainte-Anne Chapel.
• Thanksgiving masses.
• Back in town, picnic, official speeches.
• Honorary vermouth at the Jean Despas room.

The festival is led by the City Captain, surrounded by Bravadeurs and Cepouns, guardians of traditions. The ensemble is accompanied by the Clique, the official brass band.

Today, Les Bravades remain a strong marker of Tropezian identity, a time when an entire city comes together to bring its history and culture to life.

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