The Camargue race is practiced, according to a tradition dating back to the Middle Ages, in a region that extends well beyond the Camargue, from the gates of Avignon to Montpellier, bringing together part of Languedoc and Provence around the Rhône delta.
The origin of the race is the “jeu taurin” (bull game), where animals of all kinds and farmhands mingle to fight and play with the bull.
The oldest evidence of the origin of the Camargue race dates back to 1402 in Arles.
A race was held in honor of Louis II, Count of Provence. A little later, towards the end of the 19th century, a less cruel bull game was played, in which a single man played with the bull and attributes were attached to the bull's horns, such as flowers, scarves, and tricolor cockades in the colors of the herd, to be removed by young enthusiasts.
The Camargue race is a game of skill, a tradition of dodging and bravery, where the animal and the “razeteur” perform an astonishing ballet.
The razeteur collects the cockades, strings, and tassels placed on the bull's forehead. The animal is not injured in any way, let alone killed!
On the contrary, it is the king of the arena!
From March to November, the arenas and villages come alive with the sounds of music, shouts, applause, whistles...
This is the season of “bouvine” (bullfighting), votive festivals, and Camargue races.
The Camargue race
The gate of the bullpen opens and the bull rushes into the arena. The razeteurs remove the attributes with their hooks, in the following order: the cockade, the tassels, the frontal, and the strings.
Abrivado
This is the arrival of the bulls. The herdsmen cross the village, flanking the bulls.
Bandido
After the race, the bulls, flanked by the herdsmen, are released into the streets of the town. Be sure to follow the safety instructions and the Manadiers' Charter.
Manade
The term manade refers to the herd of bulls, the property, and the pastures.
The manadiers welcome visitors for horseback riding, ferrade, and bullfighting games.
Ferrade
This is the branding of young bulls with a hot iron. A piece of the ear is cut off as a countermark.
Fédération Française de la Course Camarguaise (French Federation of Camargue Bullfighting)
485, rue Aimé Orand
30000 Nîmes
Tel.: +33 (0)4 66 26 05 35
Translated with DeepL.com
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