As every three years, since the end of the 18th centuryth century, on Whit Monday, Saint-Florent adorns itself with flowers and banners to honour Saint Flor, the patron saint of the Nebbiu region.
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It was in procession that the many faithful of Saint Florent and the surrounding parishes made their way from Sainte-Anne Church to Sainte Marie Cathedral, which had been most carefully decorated with flowers by the volunteers who had also erected and adorned the arches and the Shrine of Saint Flor.
The important event of this festival was the presence of Monseigneur Olivier de Germay, Bishop of Corsica, who did the faithful the great honour of celebrating mass in a packed cathedral.
After mass, Saint-Flor leaves the cathedral with music, the grenadiers precede the Santa Croce brotherhood to the sound of their drums, trumpets and saxagons. The march is quasi-military, the Reliquary of the Holy Martyr is carried on the shoulders of the men of Saint-Flor, followed by a large crowd. The saint is carried to Saint Anne's church where the faithful were able to pay him homage throughout the day.
Near the village square, the funfair is in full swing, families from all over the region, who have come to attend the event, are enjoying the rides to the sound of the drummers' drums, whilst awaiting the return of Saint Flor. At 6 pm, villagers and tourists then fill the streets of the village to witness the second procession, the route of which is marked with colourful banners, and escort Saint Flor back to the Cathedral where he rests for three years. The procession stops regularly to allow the bearers time to change shoulders... and onlookers to take countless photos and videos. More than a religious tradition, Saint-Flor is a very important cultural festival for the inhabitants; believers or not, old or new, all honour the Saint with the same fervour.
