No Folklore, authentic at Mas de la Grenouillère
Not folklore, authentic. In high season, but also during the winter, out of sight, among ourselves, we vibrate to the rhythm of the Camargue races, the Provençal language, the costume or the Provençal imagination relayed by the great painters and writers of our territory. These traditions often stop at the borders of the Pays d'Arles. The immersion in the heart of Provence takes place in the villages of PROVENCE PAYS d'ARLES open to travelers from here and elsewhere.
Provencal traditions and festivals
The heart of Provence beats in Provence Pays d'Arles. Here, Provençal traditions shine with their original brilliance. Towns and villages live to the rhythm of these colorful and festive events. The Camargue races enliven the arenas from March to October. The traditional Arlesian costume shines on special occasions. The carreto ramado roam the villages in spectacular cavalcades. This country offers such a rich culture that Frédéric MISTRAL, Nobel Prize for Literature 1904, dedicated an entire museum to it: the Museon Arlaten!
Man and horse: a Provençal passion
Along with the bull, the horse is undoubtedly the other great passion of the inhabitants of PROVENCE PAYS D'ARLES. The Camargue horse, a small white mount, enduring and valiant, reigns over the Rhône delta. Between Durance and Alpilles, draft horses, formerly used for agricultural work, are now bred to participate in carreto ramado. The horse occupies space, time and heads: not a festival without riders, not a town or village without an equestrian center, not a road without breeding and, from spring, not a week without an equestrian event.
Camargue bulls and races
The biòu occupy hearts and minds. The Camargue bull and the traditions that surround it are the basis of the true specificity of PROVENCE PAYS D'ARLES. The Camargue races bring together more than 17,000 enthusiasts every weekend in the arenas of the region. All the festivals are accompanied by the traditional abrivado and bandido where the brave young people dare to challenge the wild bulls, as they cross towns and villages, escorted by herdsmen on horseback. Here you will know the “fé di biou”, the passion of bulls.
Christmas in Provence
Legend has it that one of the three Magi, Balthazar, going to Bethlehem led by the Star, founded the city of Les Baux de Provence. The emblem of the village, the star with sixteen rays of the lords of Les Baux, still bears witness to this. Christmas traditions in Provence PAYS D'ARLES have retained unparalleled vigor and authenticity. The crib and the santons of Provence, the big supper, the midnight mass, the Pastrage ceremony, the thirteen desserts are still practiced by very many families.