The Arenas
Le Grau du Roi is rich in tradition. From Easter to October, the whole town lives to the rhythm of bullfighting traditions. The bullring, located at the entrance to Grau du Roi, is a must-see place to immerse yourself in the local culture and enjoy the entertainment.
ENTER THE ARENA
The Grau du Roi bullring is a major venue for Camargue races and bullfighting games. Up to 3,000 spectators come to watch the bullfighters and their animals perform during the Camargue races.
In summer, concerts, toro pools, bullfighting games, garage sales and open-air cinema are held.
In September, it's time for the Fête Votive. Created in 1946, the ``local`` festival of Grau du Roi is the symbolic and traditional moment that marks the end of summer for the inhabitants, the moment when the seaside resort traditionally becomes a village of customs and traditions. Today, visitors and holidaymakers mingle with the locals. This is an opportunity to share a unique experience and to enjoy the spectacle and thrills of the bull run !
CAMARGUE RACING: TOP ATHLETES AND STAR BULLS
It is a real sport for the ``raseteurs``. These men, dressed in white, must lift the attributes that the bull wears on its head. A red rosette placed in the centre of the forehead, two tassels, attached to the base of each horn and finally two strings, placed near the tassels. All of this must be removed with a metal hook by the shaver with the help of the turner. The shavers have a time limit to remove these attributes which earn them points (accumulated in a ranking) and money. The bull has 15 minutes in general (this time differs according to the category of the race) to defend his attributes. In Camargue races, the bulls are the stars. A real cult exists.
CAMARGUE TRADITIONS
In March, the Abrivado of the beaches brings together thousands of spectators every year. In the past, the Abrivado was a term used to describe the driving of bulls from the pastures to the bullring under the supervision of the gardians. Nowadays, it is a bullfighting tradition that consists of simulating these transfers of bulls by releasing them usually in the streets of the villages, but here on the beach, during the traditional Camargue festivals. A parade on the beach full of 100% Camargue tradition.
On the channel side, jousting tournaments are also part of the local folklore. Of medieval origin, jousting is similar to chivalric tournaments. Nowadays, jousters ``dressed in white`` challenge each other to a single combat. Two boats are propelled by eight to ten rowers and the aim is to knock the opponent into the water. The ``jousters`` are positioned on a platform almost three metres above the water at the end of each boat. The two boats then face each other, propelling each other until the final impact. At the moment of the assault, the two boats brush against each other on the right side to allow the jousters to make the ``pass``. The aim of the jouster is to knock down his opponent with his spear and bulwark. The winner is the one who stays in place after the pass.
