The Course Landaise is a one-of-a-kind bullfighting sport, unique in the world.
Located in Bascons in the Landes region, between Mont-de-Marsan and Grenade-sur-l’Adour, the Course Landaise Museum offers visitors the keys to understanding and appreciating this very special spectacle.
Bascons and the Course Landaise
The game involves braving the charge of a wild cow while avoiding its horns through various maneuvers, such as a sideways turn—known as an “écart”—feints, and jumps over the cow—including the “de l’ange,” feet-together, somersaults, or even twisted jumps.
There are also performances inspired by “Intervilles,” where local young people challenge the cows during games to entertain the audience.
Located at the crossroads of the “coursayres” between Chalosse and Armagnac, Bascons is a village deeply attached to the Landes-style bull run and has played a part in the history of this Gascon game. It is the only town in the Landes region with two arenas still in use (just like Madrid and Mexico City…).
Three Course Landaise events take place in Bascons: on Ascension Day, on Saint-Madeleine’s Day in the Bostens neighborhood, and on August 15 for the patron saint’s festivities.
The Notre-Dame de la Course Landaise Chapel
The “Nature et Découverte” site was created and developed in the Bostens neighborhood and is home to the Notre-Dame de la Course Landaise Chapel. Following the example of other places of worship (Notre-Dame des Cyclistes in Labastide d’Armagnac and Notre-Dame du Rugby in Larrivière) and spearheaded by Mr. Raoul Laporterie, the mayor at the time, Father Xavier Tapie, the parish priest, and Mr. Claude Cazalis, current Honorary Deputy Mayor, this place of worship was renovated and dedicated to Notre-Dame de la Course Landaise. A wooden statue depicting this Virgin, crafted by the Basque sculptor Gallasteguy, stands in the nave and depicts the Virgin supporting a wounded “écarteur.” Additionally, a wooden cow’s head supporting the altar and a stained-glass window depicting an “écart” serve as reminders of the sport to which the chapel has been dedicated since May 7, 1970.
Built from local gray “coquillière” stone, the chapel’s construction is believed to date back to the 15th century. It is dedicated to Mary Magdalene, who is still celebrated there around July 22 during the neighborhood festival. Scenes from the Gospels are painted on the walls of the nave.
It is now the site of an annual pilgrimage of the “coursayres” on Ascension Day, marked by a musical celebration and a posthumous tribute to a prominent figure in this ancestral tradition.
Around All Saints’ Day, another religious service is also held in memory of those who have died in the Course Landaise. The monument dedicated to the victims of the Course Landaise—a work by Francel—as well as the memorial stone erected in memory of Bernard Huguet, a Landais “écarteur” who died in the Montfort-en-Chalosse arena in 1987, are the primary sites for these tributes.
The Course Landaise Museum
Adjacent to the chapel, the Course Landaise Museum—the only public institution dedicated exclusively to this tradition—serves as a showcase for this form of bullfighting.
The Course Landaise Museum is entirely devoted to the preservation and promotion of documents and artifacts related to this Gascon tradition. Upon entering, visitors are greeted by a wall map showing the locations of arenas dedicated to the Course Landaise in southwestern France, allowing them to fully appreciate this unique cultural region. They then gain a broader understanding of the region through a slideshow at the start of the tour. Afterward, they can explore the permanent exhibition, which features explanatory panels as well as authentic artifacts and documents. The foundation of the collection rests on the spirit of preservation embodied by Mr. Raoul Laporterie, who bequeathed his collection to the museum, and on the contributions made each year by enthusiasts.
The museum houses numerous postcards from the early 20th century documenting the exploits of the arena’s first champions, as well as commemorative portraits of the men who left their mark on this sport. Objects related to the practice of the Course Landaise are also on display. Numerous posters advertising Course Landaise events from the late 19th century to the present day are preserved and showcased. Finally, the museum houses a significant collection of works by the caricaturists Cel le Gaucher and Gaston Remy.
The most recent renovations to the buildings in 2004—including the creation of a screening room and spaces for temporary exhibitions—enable the museum to host numerous events centered on the Course Landaise as well as, more broadly, local culture.
Museum of the Course Landaise
764, chemin Coursayres
40090 Bascons
Tel.: 05 58 52 91 76
https://www.visitmontdemarsan.fr/a-voir-%C3%A0-faire/mus%C3%A9e-course-landaise/
