Sommières, a charming medieval town in the Occitanie region of France, offers a variety of bull-related activities for enthusiasts of this tradition. All activities taking place in the Sommières Arenas are non-violent and do not involve harm or killing of the animal. Camping le Garanel is fortunate to be located just 300 meters from the must-see Arenas.
The Toro-Piscine
A must-do for your holidays in Sommières! It’s a comical and playful show that guarantees laughter and entertainment for all ages. Spectators are invited to challenge the heifers with numerous games and challenges set to music around a giant pool. Experience a unique event by participating in a local tradition, while ensuring fun and safety for everyone. Toro-piscine events usually take place every Monday and Wednesday in July and August.
Camargue Races
A unique cultural tradition in Camargue, which attracts many tourists and locals every year. During this impressive and unique spectacle, the ‘raseteurs’ attempt to grab the rosettes (string, tassel, or other items) attached to the bulls’ horns. The ‘raseteurs’ are assisted by ‘tourneurs’ whose role is to position the bull and place it correctly before its charge.
The bulls used for the races are Camargue bulls, also known as “biou” or Cocardier. These bulls are raised in ‘manades’ in Camargue and are the pride of their breeders, who take great care of them.
The sporting competition is organized into three trophies: the Trophée des As, the Trophée des Raseteurs, and the Trophée de l’Avenir. The bull-related season concludes in autumn with the Trophée des As final, crowning the best ‘raseteur’ of the season and the best bull, known as Biou d’Or.
Abrivados, Bandidos, Encierros, and the Gaze
The ‘abrivado’ is a bull-related tradition that refers to the driving of bulls from the pastures to the Arenas, while the ‘bandido’ refers to the return of the bulls from the Arenas to the pastures. The bulls are released and accompanied by ‘gardians’ on horseback, while the ‘attrapaïres’ (literally ‘catchers’) try to capture them by the tail and horns. The streets are blocked off by barriers to prevent the bulls from escaping and to keep spectators safe.
The ‘encierro’, on the other hand, involves releasing the bulls freely into an area or street, and volunteers enclose themselves in a cage to be among the bulls.
The ‘gaze’ is a bull-related tradition that takes place annually during the town’s ‘fête votive’. It involves bulls and horses, accompanied by ‘gardians’ on horseback, swimming across the Vidourle, the river that flows through Sommières. It’s a unique and impressive spectacle, attracting many spectators to the bridges and riverbanks. The ‘gaze’ in Sommières is a legacy of the movements once made by ‘manadiers’ to lead their herds between their pastures and new grazing lands.