Feria de l'Atlantique
Three days of exceptional bullfighting at the Arènes de Bayonne
About Feria de l'Atlantique
The Feria de l'Atlantique: The Grand End-of-Summer Bullfighting Festival
Each end of summer, the Arènes de Bayonne vibrate to the rhythm of the Feria de l'Atlantique, the bullfighting event that concludes the season at the Bayonne arena. For three intense days, bullfighting enthusiasts gather to witness exceptional shows featuring the best bullfighters of the moment against bulls from the most prestigious Spanish breeding farms.
Show Program
The Feria de l'Atlantique offers a rich and varied program spread over three days:
- Corrida Goyesque Bleue: On Friday evening, the inaugural bullfight features three top matadors in a spectacle steeped in elegance and tradition. The Goyesque bullfight, with costumes inspired by Goya's paintings, is a moment of grace and bullfighting art.
- Novillada picada: On Saturday morning, young novilleros (aspiring matadors) face young bulls in novilladas with picadors, offering a glimpse of tomorrow's talents.
- Corrida de Promesas: On Saturday afternoon, five promising young bullfighters compete in a unique competitive format, where each tries to shine and get noticed by professionals.
- Novillada sans picadors: On Sunday morning, the youngest bullfighters perform in novilladas without picadors, the first step in a bullfighter's career.
- Closing Corrida: On Sunday afternoon, the closing bullfight brings together the most experienced bullfighters against the most impressive bulls, for a spectacular finale.
The Arènes de Bayonne, a Major Bullfighting Venue
Inaugurated in 1893, the Arènes de Bayonne are one of the most beautiful bullfighting arenas in France. Located at 2 rue Alfred Boulant, they can accommodate over 10,000 spectators. Bayonne, along with Dax and Mont-de-Marsan, is one of the pillars of bullfighting tradition in southwestern France, an inheritance from historical ties with neighboring Spain.
The Bayonne Bullfighting Season
The Feria de l'Atlantique is part of the Bayonne bullfighting season, which runs from July to September. It complements the bullfighting programming of the Fêtes de Bayonne in July and offers increasingly prestigious shows as the season progresses. The Feria de l'Atlantique is considered the highlight of this bullfighting season.
Tradition and Heritage
Bullfighting is an integral part of the cultural heritage of Bayonne and the Basque Country. The Feria de l'Atlantique perpetuates this centuries-old tradition while adapting to the evolutions of contemporary bullfighting. Aficionados will find the authenticity and intensity of the great Spanish ferias, in a French setting imbued with Basque conviviality.
Feria de l'Atlantique — edition 2026
The Feria de l'Atlantique 2026 takes place from Friday, September 4 to Sunday, September 6, 2026, at the Arènes de Bayonne. Three days of bullfighting shows that conclude the Bayonne bullfighting season, featuring a blue Goyesque bullfight, two novilladas, and the Corrida des Promesses de la Tauromachie.
The Feria de l'Atlantique 2026: The bullfighting event at the end of the season
From September 4 to 6, 2026, the Arènes de Bayonne host the Feria de l'Atlantique, the highlight of the Bayonne bullfighting season. The 2026 season includes a total of seven shows (five corridas de toros and two novilladas), divided between the Fêtes de Bayonne bullfights in July and this September feria.
Three days of bullfighting shows
The Feria de l'Atlantique 2026 offers a blue Goyesque bullfight on Friday evening, two novilladas (with and without picadors) on Saturday and Sunday morning, the Corrida des Promesses de la Tauromachie on Saturday afternoon, and the closing corrida on Sunday afternoon.
The Corrida des Promesses de la Tauromachie
A highlight of the feria, the Corrida des Promesses (Saturday, September 5 at 6:30 PM) brings together five promising young bullfighters: the public votes to choose who will face the sixth bull. The event aims to reveal new talents each year.
The Arènes de Bayonne
Inaugurated in 1893, the Arènes de Bayonne (2 rue Alfred Boulant) are one of France's major bullfighting venues, alongside Dax and Mont-de-Marsan. Bullfighting is an integral part of the cultural heritage of Bayonne and the Pays Basque.
The detailed lineups (matadors and ranches) will be communicated later by the Arènes de Bayonne.
Programme Feria de l'Atlantique 2026
Friday, September 4, 2026
- Blue Goyesque bullfight
Saturday, September 5, 2026
- Morning: Novillada with picadors (Camino de Santiago ranch)
- 6:30 PM — Corrida des Promesses de la Tauromachie: five bullfighters, the public votes to choose who faces the 6th bull
Sunday, September 6, 2026
- Morning: Novillada without picadors (La Espera ranch)
- Afternoon: Closing corrida de toros
The lineups (matadors, novilleros, and full ranches) will be announced later by the Arènes de Bayonne.
Highlights Feria de l'Atlantique 2026
- Blue Goyesque bullfight opening on Friday evening
- Corrida des Promesses de la Tauromachie on Saturday: the public votes for the bullfighter of the 6th bull
- Two novilladas (with and without picadors) on Saturday and Sunday morning
- Closing corrida of the Bayonne bullfighting season on Sunday afternoon
Prices Feria de l'Atlantique 2026
Practical information — Feria de l'Atlantique
Access
The Arènes de Bayonne are located in the city center.
- By car: A63 motorway, exit Bayonne centre. Parking nearby.
- By train: Bayonne station, then a 15-minute walk.
- By bus: Txik Txak network, Arènes stop.
Venue
Arènes de Bayonne, 2 rue Alfred Boulant, 64100 Bayonne.
Times
Shows at 11 am in the morning and between 5:30 pm and 6:30 pm in the afternoon depending on the day.
Prices
Paid tickets depending on the shows and categories. Prices vary from approximately €15 to €100.
Ticketing
Tickets on sale on the Arènes de Bayonne website and at the arena ticket offices.
Contact
Arènes de Bayonne
Website: arenes.bayonne.fr
Accessibility
The arena has reserved spaces for people with reduced mobility.
Accommodation nearby
Bayonne and its surrounding area offer numerous accommodation options. Booking is recommended during the summer period.
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Where does it take place — Feria de l'Atlantique
Arènes de Bayonne
2 rue Alfred Boulant, 64100 Bayonne