Feux de la Saint-Jean - Flamme du Canigou
The celebration of the summer solstice and the Catalan flame in Perpignan
About Feux de la Saint-Jean
The Feux de la Saint-Jean: the Catalan solstice celebration
Every June 23rd, the eve of Saint John's Day, Perpignan and all of Catalan country celebrate the summer solstice with the traditional Feux de la Saint-Jean. This festival, one of the most important in Catalan culture, culminates in the descent of the Flamme du Canigou, a luminous symbol of fraternity between Catalans on both sides of the border.
The Flamme du Canigou: a living symbol
Since 1964, at the initiative of Joseph Deloncle and Jean Iglésis, the Saint-Jean flame is lit each year at the summit of the Pic du Canigou (2,784 m), the sacred mountain of the Catalans. This flame is then passed from relay to relay to the villages and towns of the Pyrénées-Orientales and Catalonia.
Throughout the year, the flame is kept at the Castillet in Perpignan in an oil lamp, never going out, a perpetual symbol of Catalan identity and fraternity.
The festival in Perpignan
The Saint-Jean Village
From 6 PM, the Allées Maillol host the Saint-Jean Village with:
- Tasting of snails and Catalan cakes (coques catalanes)
- Traditional sardanes dances animated by a cobla
- Catalan crafts and local products
The « Catalanissimo » concert
At 8:45 PM, the Place de la Victoire hosts the classical concert « Catalanissimo » performed by the Orchestre Perpignan Catalogne, a musical highlight of the evening.
The arrival of the Flame
From 10 PM, the solemn entry of the Flamme du Canigou is marked by a parade of the Cercle de la Flamme. The climax is the lighting of the braziers by the Mayor of Perpignan, followed by the spectacular ascent of the Castillet by climbers from the Entente Spéléologique du Roussillon.
The morning of Saint John's Day
On the morning of June 24th, residents gather the traditional Saint John's Day herbs. Throughout the day, they receive the « ramellet Sant Joanenc », a small bouquet of herbs believed to protect homes. A mass is celebrated at the cathedral, followed by sardanes and contrepàs in the Place Gambetta.
Feux de la Saint-Jean — edition 2026
The Saint John's Fires 2026 will be held on Tuesday, June 23rd and Wednesday, June 24th in Perpignan. The Canigou Flame will descend from the sacred mountain of the Catalans (2,784 m) to ignite the Castillet basins, the culmination of a festive evening that begins at 6 PM at the Allées Maillol. This year, the International Flame Congress is held in Arenys de Mar in Spanish Catalonia, but the Perpignan festivities retain all their intensity with the Saint John's Village, the "Catalanissimo" concert, and the spectacular ignition at 10 PM.
Saint John's Fires 2026 — Tuesday, June 23rd and Wednesday, June 24th in Perpignan
The Saint John's Fires 2026 will be held on Tuesday, June 23rd (eve of Saint John's Day) and Wednesday, June 24th in Perpignan. The Canigou Flame, lit each year at the summit of the sacred mountain of the Catalans, will descend to Perpignan to ignite the Castillet basins.
A 2026 edition marked by the Arenys de Mar congress
This year, the International Flame Congress is held in Arenys de Mar in Spanish Catalonia. But the Perpignan festivities retain all their intensity: the Flame maintained at the Castillet is carried to the foot of the Canigó, regenerated at the summit on June 13th, then brought back down on June 23rd to then reach Vernet-les-Bains.
The program for the evening of June 23rd in Perpignan
- From 6 PM — Allées Maillol: opening of the Saint John's Village (tasting of snails and Catalan coques, sardanes animated by a cobla, crafts and local products).
- 8:45 PM — Place de la Victoire: classical concert "Catalanissimo" by the Perpignan Catalonia Orchestra.
- From 10 PM — Castillet: solemn entry of the Canigou Flame, parade of the Cercle de la Flamme, ignition of the basins by the Mayor of Perpignan, ascent of the Castillet by the climbers of the Entente Spéléologique du Roussillon.
- 10:15 PM — Traditional bread sharing ceremony with the Canigou shepherds.
The morning of June 24th
On Wednesday, June 24th, Saint John's Day, residents gather traditional herbs. Throughout the day, they receive the "ramellet Sant Joanenc", a small bouquet of herbs believed to protect homes. A mass is celebrated at the cathedral, followed by sardanes and contrepàs on Place Gambetta.
Preparatory ceremonies
- June 12, 2026 at 10 AM — Ria Ceremony: presentation of earth, water, salt, and an olive branch to the three mountaineers of the Cercle-flamme du Canigó.
- June 13, 2026 at noon — Canigó Summit: ceremony in homage to the summer solstice and regeneration of the flame.
The detailed hour-by-hour program for the 2026 edition is disseminated by the City of Perpignan and the Cercle de la Flamme du Canigou.
Programme Feux de la Saint-Jean 2026
Friday, June 12, 2026 — Ria
- 10:00 AM — Ria Ceremony: symbolic presentation to the three mountaineers of the Cercle-flamme du Canigó (earth, water, salt, olive branch).
Saturday, June 13, 2026 — Canigó Summit
- 12:00 PM — Flame regeneration ceremony at the summit of Canigó peak (2,784 m) — homage to the summer solstice.
Tuesday, June 23, 2026 — Perpignan, Eve of Saint John's Day
- 6:00 PM — Allées Maillol: opening of the Saint John's Village (snails, Catalan coques, sardanes, crafts, local products).
- 8:45 PM — Place de la Victoire: "Catalanissimo" concert by the Perpignan Catalonia Orchestra.
- Late afternoon — Arrival of the Canigou Flame carried by the Spiridon catalan.
- 9:00 PM — Place Gambetta, Castillet, Pont de Larminat, Quais de la Basse: entertainment (Catalan songs, folk gala, musical entertainment).
- 10:00 PM — Castillet: solemn entry of the Flame, parade of the Cercle de la Flamme, ignition of the basins by the Mayor, ascent of the Castillet by the climbers of the Entente Spéléologique du Roussillon, fireworks and pyrotechnic ignition above the Castillet.
- 10:15 PM — Bread sharing ceremony with the Canigou shepherds.
Wednesday, June 24, 2026 — Saint John's Day
- Morning — Gathering of traditional herbs, distribution of the "ramellet Sant Joanenc".
- Morning — Saint-Jean-Baptiste Cathedral: Saint John's Mass.
- Afternoon — Place Gambetta: sardanes and contrepàs.
Highlights Feux de la Saint-Jean 2026
- Centuries-old Catalan tradition since 1964 — 62nd edition of the Canigou Flame
- Tuesday, June 23rd and Wednesday, June 24th, 2026 — Perpignan
- Descent of the Flame from the Canigó peak (2,784 m)
- Saint John's Village from 6 PM at Allées Maillol
- "Catalanissimo" concert at 8:45 PM at Place de la Victoire
- Spectacular ignition of the Castillet basins at 10 PM by the Mayor
- Ascent of the Castillet by the climbers of the Entente Spéléologique du Roussillon
- International Congress 2026 in Arenys de Mar (Spanish Catalonia)
- Festivities entirely free and open to all
Prices Feux de la Saint-Jean 2026
Practical information — Feux de la Saint-Jean
Practical Information
Date
The Feux de la Saint-Jean take place every June 23rd (the eve of Saint John's Day), with festivities continuing on June 24th.
Locations
- Allées Maillol: Saint-Jean Village (from 6 PM)
- Place de la Victoire: « Catalanissimo » concert (8:45 PM)
- Le Castillet: Lighting of the braziers and ascent (10 PM)
- Place Gambetta: Sardanes and contrepàs (June 24th)
Access
By car: Parking available in Perpignan city center. Please note: streets in the historic center are closed to traffic on the evening of June 23rd.
By train: Perpignan station is a 15-minute walk from the Castillet.
Price
All festivities are free and open to all.
Accommodation
Perpignan has a varied hotel offering. The Tourist Office can assist you with your search at +33 4 68 66 30 30.
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Where does it take place — Feux de la Saint-Jean
Le Castillet et centre historique de Perpignan
Le Castillet, Place de Verdun, 66000 Perpignan (siège du Cercle : 52 rue Maréchal Foch, 66000 Perpignan), 66000 Perpignan