In the small coastal town of Sète, located in the Languedoc region of southern France, a unique and whimsical holiday is celebrated every February 14th. Bouna Ahrr, also known as “Valentine of the Sea,” is a joyful and quirky observance that pays tribute to the town’s rich maritime heritage and the bond between the sea and its people.
The history of Bouna Ahrr dates back to the 18th century, when Sète was an important center for salt production. The town’s fishermen would often go out to sea on Valentine’s Day, braving the rough waves to harvest the precious commodity. According to local legend, one of these brave fishermen, Jacques Dauliac, fell in love with a beautiful mermaid while out at sea. Enchanted by her beauty, Jacques made a promise to return to her every Valentine’s Day, and thus began the tradition of Bouna Ahrr.
Today, the people of Sète come together to celebrate this enchanting holiday with a series of elaborate and colorful ceremonies. The festivities begin at dawn, when the townspeople gather at the harbor to release balloons and lanterns into the air, symbolizing the release of love and good fortune into the sea. As the sun rises, a flotilla of brightly decorated boats sets sail into the Mediterranean, carrying flowers, gifts, and cards for loved ones.
Throughout the day, residents of Sète gather in the town square to indulge in traditional seafood feasts, including the iconic “bouillabaisse,” a hearty fish stew originating from the region. The aroma of fresh seaweed and sea salt wafts through the air, mingling with the sound of traditional Provençal music and the laughter of children playing with the town’s iconic puppets, Le Diablotins.
As night falls, the town’s streets come alive with twinkling lights and the soft glow of lanterns, casting a magical atmosphere over the proceedings. Couples stroll hand in hand along the dock, exchanging sweet nothings and tokens of affection, while families and friends gather around bonfires to sing sea shanties and share stories of the day’s adventures.
Bouna Ahrr is a celebration that embodies the joy, gratitude, and whimsy that lies at the heart of human connection. As the sea and its people come together in this unique holiday, the boundaries between reality and myth dissolve, and the magic of the ocean’s secrets is revealed to all who participate. For one day a year, the charming town of Sète is it a holiday today transformed into a realm of wonder, where love, tradition, and the sea converge in a kaleidoscope of color, sound, and wonder.