Nuit du Petit Saint-Jean de Valréas

521st Nuit du Petit Saint-Jean - 2025 Edition

The 521st edition of the Nuit du Petit Saint-Jean took place on Monday, June 23, 2025, in the medieval alleys of Valréas, perpetuating an uninterrupted tradition since 1504. For this edition, the more than 400 volunteers who donned their period costumes once again offered the public a spectacle of extraordinary beauty, immersing spectators in the atmosphere of the medieval town of the Enclave des Papes.

The Petit Saint-Jean 2025, a three-year-old child from a Valréas family, presided over the ceremony, dressed in his traditional white sheepskin and carried on his flower-adorned throne. Escorted by knights, archers, court ladies, and dignitaries in Renaissance attire, he paraded through the alleys of old Valréas to the cheers of a large and moved audience.

The torchlight procession, beginning at dusk in a masterfully orchestrated darkness, unfolded its magic in the narrow alleys illuminated by the participants' torches. The sound of period fifes and drums, the rustling of medieval fabrics, the golden light of the torches on the ochre stone facades of Valréas created an atmosphere worthy of a historical film, except that this spectacle is very real and has been part of the town's living memory for over five centuries.

Monday, June 23, 2025 — Old Valréas

• From 7 PM: Musical entertainment and festivities in town
• 9 PM: Gathering of participants for costume fitting and procession preparation
• 10 PM (at dusk): Departure of the torchlight procession from the central square
• 10 PM - 11:30 PM: Procession through the medieval alleys of Valréas: knights, archers, court ladies, pages, jugglers, clerics, and the Petit Saint-Jean on his throne
• 11:30 PM: Arrival at the main square and festive closing

• 521 years of uninterrupted tradition since 1504
• Over 400 participants in medieval and Renaissance costumes
• Nocturnal torchlight procession
• The Petit Saint-Jean, a 3-year-old elected child, on his floral throne
• Period fife and drum music
• Medieval alleys of the Enclave des Papes
• Completely free admission
• Unique in France