Fete St Pierre

Yesterday was the Fete St Pierrre, in addition to being America's birthday. It's a day where communities remember those who died at sea, as well as celebrating the sea for all it brings to their lives. In villages along the coast, masses were being held and processions took place.

In Villefranche, the priest and the mayor led a band carrying flags, as well as sailors in uniform, and some obviously retired sailors (also in uniform) from the church down to the seaside. They all piled onto a boat, while Paul and I had a coffee in the very nice, but very expensive, hotel bar along the seafront, and then we rejoined them accidentally when I wanted to go and take a photo of the big (American?) boat with all the flags on it. By that point, they'd started handing out free pastis and pissaladiere, which was nice. And l'Amicale des Anciens Marins de Villefranche opened the doors to their little building, which was a bar in one half, and the most amazing collection of model ships in the other.

Photos abound, below.