Spiritual Waters

The Rhône has been sacred since ancient times. Celtic tribes worshipped at its confluences. Romans built temples to river gods. Medieval Christians established monasteries on its banks. Today, this spiritual heritage continues in new forms.

In Lyon, an interfaith group organizes river blessings that include Christian, Muslim, Jewish, Buddhist, and secular humanist participants. They gather at the Confluence to honor water as a shared sacred resource. "Every religion has rituals around water," explains Rabbi Sarah Goldberg. "The Rhône gives us a chance to pray together, each in our own way, for something we all need."

Further south, in the Camargue, Romani communities maintain water rituals during the pilgrimage to Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer. The carrying of Saint Sara to the sea connects Rhône waters with the Mediterranean, creating a sacred geography that transcends official religious boundaries.