One of the most beautiful and oldest traditions of Provence!
Celebrated in indifference until 1959, the Miougrano of Fréjù decided, in 1960, with the agreement of the Bishop, to restore public splendor to this celebration. That day, in the Saint-Léonce Cathedral,
grape juice becomes the blood of Christ.
In Fréjus, the local history museum pays homage to Provençal traditions and the history of the town.
In the 7th century, at the heart of Provençal traditions, the Grape Festival was a sacred moment, celebrated with the “Grape Mass” at the majestic cathedral of Fréjus.
This ceremony draws its essence from the deep roots of Provençal culture. The priest, by delicately pressing the grapes by hand into the chalice, offers the faithful a ritual unique in France, called “indult”. Through this act of great solemnity, the grape juice is symbolically transfigured into the blood of Christ, linking the generous nature of the Provençal land to the divine sacred.
Today, this highlight of the year is organized by passionate guardians of Fréjus traditions: the “Miougrano de Fréjus”, the “Friends of Saint-François de Paule”, and the “1st Regiment of Provence”. Together, they perpetuate this heritage with a festive weekend where culture, faith and the joy of Provençal living intertwine.
Under the thousand-year-old bell tower of the cathedral, visitors and locals gather to attend concerts, songs, traditional music, dance performances, but also the famous "Grape Mass" and the sacred dance of the stump, symbolizing the strength of Provençal roots. The festivities continue with the tasting of local wines, reminding us that Fréjus and its region are above all a land of winegrowers, where the AOC Côtes de Provence Fréjus shines with its quality and character.
The Grape Festival is the whole Provençal art of living that is celebrated with fervor and conviviality. Here, time stops to share the values of Provence: respect for the land and people, the generosity of a fertile terroir, and the joy of being together, under the bright summer sky.
The great tasting of AOC Fréjus wines!
Meet the winemakers of the AOC Côtes de Provence Fréjus and Côtes de Provence, who will be delighted to introduce you to their products and share with you their passion for vines and wine.
The AOC Côtes de Provence Fréjus is grown on the hills that border the coastal river Argens all the way to the Mediterranean. This exceptional terroir extends over all or part of the eight communes of the Var: Fréjus, Callas, La Motte, Le Muy, Puget-sur-Argens, Roquebrune-sur-Argens, Saint-Raphaël, and Trans-en-Provence.
The list of estates present at the Grape Festival in 2024
- Cabran Castle
- Chateau Paquette
- Rouët Castle
- Bercail Estate
- The Jas des Oliviers estate
- Terre Destel Estate
- Saint-Pierre castle
- Castle Vaudois
- Escaravatiers Estate
- Real Saint-Jean Estate
- The Clos des Roses
Associations at the heart of the Fréjus Grape Festival
In Fréjus, respect for Provençal traditions is precious! That is why there are several Fréjusian associations that continue to keep them alive throughout the year!
Friends of Saint Francis of Paola
Guardian of tradition, this association commemorates each year the passage of Saint-François de Paule in Fréjus during the Bravade.
She actively participates in the Grape Festival.
The Miougrano of Fréjus
This association, which works to maintain the traditions and culture of Provence, was born in 1959.
She ensures that song, dance, music, costumes and the Provençal language are honoured, or rather “Eime”, the way of being of our Provençal homeland.
The folk group participates in or organizes all traditional Fréjus events and represents the City or Provence in its travels during folk meetings. It is under the impetus of this Group for the Maintenance of Provençal Traditions that a festival that is both sacred and profane is reborn each year to celebrate the first grapes: The "Grape Festival" of the Miougrano de Fréjus.
The 1st Regiment of Provence
In November 2019, Miougrano created a fife and drum department within it: "Fifes and drums of the 1st Regiment of Provence", and thus evokes the infantry regiment of the same name created in 1684 and which would last until 1770, when it would be renamed "Regiment of the Count of Provence".
"We had an incredible time at the Grape Festival! Between tasting exceptional wines and fascinating discussions with the winegrowers, we rediscovered the richness of the Fréjus terroir. Each glass took us on a journey, and the festive atmosphere made this day unforgettable. We will definitely be back!"
Terre d'Esterel”, the new “Vineyard and Discovery” label was born: Fréjus is part of it!
This national brand distinguishes the destinations federated around the wine tourism sector offering around this sector and the areas which it aims to promote, accommodation offers, catering, visits to cultural sites, discoveries of natural spaces, local know-how, leisure activities, events, and receptive structures meeting the requirements of the usage regulations and committed to the process.
With its 2000 years of history, Fréjus attests to this uninterrupted link through the centuries of vine cultivation: from the time when wine was exported in amphorae from the quays of the port of Forum Iulii to today with the AOP Côte de Provence "FRÉJUS" here, the wine bears witness to the nobility of its history and the excellence of the know-how of the Fréjus terroir.
To discover our wine history and through meetings in the estates, shared tastings, themed evenings, create your own memories. Unforgettable.
But “TERRE D'ESTEREL” is not limited to Fréjus: don’t hesitate to extend your visit to the estates of Roquebrune-sur-Argens, Saint-Raphael, Puget-sur-Argens and the Pays de Fayence.
You will see how beautiful our countryside is, our producers generous and our landscapes breathtaking.
Is there an entrance fee?
The “Grape Festival” is a free event. Only the discussion is paid at a rate of €3 per glass. With this glass you will be able to visit all the exhibitors who will be happy to let you taste their wines!
How to park?
The historic center has several paying car parks: Paul Vernet, Clos de la Tour, Aubenas, Porte d'Orée and Agricola
How many wine estates are there in Fréjus?
There are three of them! Clos des Rose, Château Paquette and Jas des Oliviers!
Find their websites below!
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