Les Grégoires 2026
Saturday 21st February
When Pope Gregory I was elected in 590, Rome was a city in crisis. His predecessor, Pelagius II, had died of the plague on 8 February that year. Floods from the Tiber, famine, and epidemic disease devastated the population.
Gregory—later known as Saint Gregory the Great—responded with an extraordinary act of collective faith: vast penitential processions and public prayers meant to restore hope and divine protection. According to tradition, during one such procession, an angel appeared above Hadrian’s Mausoleum, sheathing his sword to signal the end of the plague. The monument would forever after be known as Castel Sant’Angelo.
This powerful image of divine intervention spread across Europe… and eventually took root in the Vallespir.
From Rome to Palalda
In the hillside village of Palalda, legend tells of a terrible plague where villagers were dropping like files. Turning to Saint Gregory for help, they organised a procession similar to those in Rome. During the parade, the Ange exterminateur—the Exterminating Angel—appeared, bringing the epidemic to an end.
In gratitude, the ritual was repeated year after year. Over time, it evolved into one of the most singular carnival traditions in Catalonia: Les Grégoires.
The Ritual Today
Each spring, Sa Majesté Carnaval Grégoire, flanked by his mock Swiss Guard, leads a solemn and theatrical procession through the streets of Amélie-les-Bains-Palalda.
Behind him walk villagers dressed entirely in white, wearing the caparutxa—tall, pointed hoods reminiscent of those worn during the Sanch processions of Holy Week. As they advance, they scatter flour on the ground, symbol of purification, murmuring:
“Adéu, pobre Carnaval…” (Farewell, poor Carnival…)
The march ends with the fiery execution of the Carnival King, whose incineration is believed to cleanse the community of excess, misfortune, and absolving them of sins accumulated over the past year—clearing the way for spring.
PROGRAMME 2025 (Not yet confirmed for 2026 but usually similar every year)
15h | 2ème cavalcade Centre-ville
17h | Grand bal
Salle Jean Trescases
21h | Défilé du Grégoire Amélien
Centre-ville et place de la République
22h | Incinération de sa Majesté Carnaval
Place de la République
22h30 | Bal avec le TIO TIO
Salle Jean Trescases
CHECK OUT THE AMÉLIE TOURIST OFFICE FOR MORE INFO