Castets en Fête

Castets en Fête: The Landes Festival Between Coast and Forest

Castets, a village of 2,000 inhabitants located on the D947 between Dax and the Atlantic coast, celebrates its patronal festival every first weekend of August. This Landes village, the gateway to Côte Landes Nature, transforms for four days into a place of celebration and conviviality, welcoming residents from surrounding towns and holidaymakers from the coast.

Landes Races and Bullfighting Traditions

The Castets arena hosts the Landes races, which are the heart of the festivities. Écarteurs (bull dodgers) and sauteurs (jumpers) confront Landes cows in a spectacle of grace and courage. These races, organized as part of the patronal festival, perpetuate a centuries-old tradition inscribed in France's intangible cultural heritage. The audience, a mix of local connoisseurs and curious holidaymakers, enthusiastically participates in the arena's atmosphere.

Scooter Races: A Popular Tradition

One of the unique features of the Castets festival is the scooter race, a popular and fun event that attracts participants of all ages. The races take place in the village streets over several days, with qualifying heats, small finals, and a grand final. This quirky and good-natured event has become a must-see at the Castets festival.

Banda Lous Tiarrots and Concerts

The Banda Lous Tiarrots, a local musical group, enlivens meals and evenings with their catchy brass and percussion. The free concerts scheduled each evening attract a large audience with various bands: tribute bands, rock, and festive groups. The concert by Pog Mahone and the tribute to Minitel (homage to Téléphone) are among the evening's headliners, followed by DJ sets and bodegas until the early morning.

Family Entertainment and Funfair

Mornings are dedicated to family entertainment: children's games with inflatable structures, clown shows, a food market, and a flea market. The funfair with its rides and attractions is open throughout the festivities. The producers' market allows visitors to discover local Landes specialties: foie gras, duck, asparagus, and kiwis from the region.

Fireworks and Festival Closing

The fireworks on Monday evening are the highlight of the festivities, offering a pyrotechnic display enjoyed by all. The closing meal, enlivened by Banda Lous Tiarrots, brings together the last festival-goers for a final moment of conviviality before the end of the festival. The balls and the bodega then continue late into the night.