FOIRE DE LA SAINTE-CATHERINE

The tradition of this festival, dedicated to the patron saint of young girls who are not yet married, was once widespread throughout France. Called the Catherinettes, singles of 25 years old or more were to wear a hat whose bright colours were dominated by green, colour of hope, and yellow, that of wisdom. According to the tradition, Saint Catherine always refused the marriage that the emperor Maxence wanted to impose upon her. She was decapitated on the 25th of November, 310, for having disobeyed the emperor. From the 16th century, the restoration of the headdress of the Saint's statues which were in their parish has been entrusted to young women. For them, it was an opportunity to pray to Saint Catherine in order not to end as "spinsters" on one hand, and on the other hand, this enabled their community to know that they were good enough to be married. Today, this religious tradition has fallen into disuse, but in some cities, it remains an opportunity to organise a fair. It's the case in Carcassonne, where every year, on 25th of November, many exhibitors go to the boulevards of the city early in the morning, giving barges the opportunity to hunt through the stalls. If the future husband cannot be found there, you will find all the same a real pleasure by spending a few euros at vendors or by wandering among the many exhibitors.

To find out more on Foire de la Sainte-Catherine, call the Tourist Office of Carcassonne at ✆04 68 10 24 30.