Fête de la Madunuccia
Religious, patronal festival in Ajaccio, Corse-du-Sud
About Fête de la Madunuccia
A Madunnuccia, or the Feast of Madunnuccia, is Ajaccio's patronal festival, celebrated every March 18th in honour of Our Lady of Mercy, the city's patron saint since 1656. Blending religious tradition and popular fervour, it annually gathers the people of Ajaccio around a pontifical mass at the Maria Assunta Cathedral and a procession through the city centre streets.
A Madunnuccia, Ajaccio's Patronal Festival
The Feast of Madunnuccia ("A Madunnuccia" in Corsican) is one of the highlights of Ajaccio life. Every March 18th, the city honours Our Lady of Mercy, whom it designated as its protector in 1656: that year, as a plague epidemic struck Genoa and Corsica, the Council of Elders of Ajaccio entrusted the city to the Virgin. The city was spared, and since then, the people of Ajaccio celebrate this deliverance. March 18th is traditionally a public holiday in the commune.
An event deeply rooted in its territory
In the heart of Ajaccio, in Corse-du-Sud, A Madunnuccia brings together faithful, residents, and visitors between the Maria Assunta Cathedral and Place Foch (Place des Palmiers). It is a strong identity-forming event, which goes beyond the sole religious framework to become a moment of cohesion and collective memory for the entire imperial city.
Course of the celebrations
The commemorations begin the evening before: the people of Ajaccio come to light candles on Place Foch, at the foot of the statue of the Virgin, while facades, windows, and balconies are illuminated. On March 18th, a pontifical mass is celebrated at the Maria Assunta Cathedral, followed by a solemn procession carrying the statue of Our Lady of Mercy through the city centre streets, punctuated by stops and prayers taken up by the inhabitants.
Fête de la Madunuccia — edition 2026
2026 edition of A Madunnuccia (Feast of the Madunuccia), Ajaccio's patronal feast in honour of Our Lady of Mercy. The celebrations take place on Tuesday, March 17th and Wednesday, March 18th, 2026, with a prayer vigil at Place Foch, pontifical mass at Maria Assunta Cathedral and a solemn procession through the city.
A Madunnuccia 2026 in Ajaccio
On March 18th, Ajaccio honours its patron saint, Our Lady of Mercy ("A Madunnuccia" in Corsican), who has been the city's protector since 1656, during the plague epidemic that was then affecting Genoa and Corsica. This day is traditionally a public holiday in the city. In 2026, the commemorations begin on the evening of Tuesday, March 17th and continue on Wednesday, March 18th.
The festivities combine religious contemplation and popular fervour: candle illuminations on Place Foch, pontifical hymn and serenades by the Musique Municipale, pontifical mass in Maria Assunta Cathedral, vows of the Magnifiques Anciens, a reception (vin d'honneur) and a grand procession of the statue of Our Lady of Mercy through the streets of the city centre.
Programme Fête de la Madunuccia 2026
Tuesday, March 17th, 2026
- 9:00 PM — Ajaccio Cathedral (Maria Assunta): Pontifical hymn by the Musique Municipale, then departure of the procession towards Place Foch
- 9:15 PM — Place Foch: Prayer vigil and serenade by the Musique Municipale (candle illuminations at the foot of the statue of the Virgin)
Wednesday, March 18th, 2026
- 10:30 AM — Ajaccio Cathedral: Pontifical mass presided over by Mgr Dominique-Marie David, Archbishop of Monaco, in the presence of Cardinal François Bustillo, followed by the vows of the Magnifiques Anciens
- 12:00 PM — Place Foch: Serenade by the Musique Municipale followed by a reception (vin d'honneur)
- 4:30 PM — Ajaccio Cathedral: Solemn procession of Our Lady of Mercy — route: rue Forcioli Conti, boulevard Danielle Casanova, rue Bonaparte, rue Fesch, cours Napoléon, rue Eugène Macchini, rue Notre-Dame
Highlights Fête de la Madunuccia 2026
- Ajaccio's patronal feast, traditionally a public holiday in the city
- Candle vigil at Place Foch on the evening of March 17th
- Pontifical mass at Maria Assunta Cathedral on March 18th at 10:30 AM
- Solemn procession of Our Lady of Mercy in the city centre
Prices Fête de la Madunuccia 2026
Practical information — Fête de la Madunuccia
Practical Information
Location
Maria Assunta Cathedral and Place Foch (Place des Palmiers), Ajaccio city centre (20000), Corse-du-Sud.
Dates
Celebrations every year on March 18th (with a vigil the evening before, March 17th).
Access
The celebrations take place in Ajaccio's historic centre, accessible on foot. During the procession, certain city centre streets (rue Bonaparte, rue Fesch, cours Napoléon, etc.) are affected by the procession. Prefer parking on the outskirts.
Prices
Free access to all celebrations.
Contact
Information available from the City of Ajaccio and the Ajaccio Tourist Office.
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Where does it take place — Fête de la Madunuccia
Cathédrale Maria Assunta et place Foch
Ajaccio, 20000 Ajaccio