Feria du Cheval
Great equestrian and bullfighting festival of Camargue in Les Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer
2026
About Feria du Cheval
Feria du Cheval — edition 2026
The 2026 Feria du Cheval
The 2026 Feria du Cheval will be held from Saturday, July 11th to Tuesday, July 14th, 2026, in Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer, the capital of the Camargue. For four days, the village becomes a hub for equestrian arts, celebrating the horse through shows, parades, abrivados, and traditional gardian customs.
A Festive Village
The heart of the festivities beats at the place des Gitans, where daily free equestrian shows, bodegas, and Sevillana and flamenco dance evenings take place, extending to the place de l'Église and in front of the arena. Each morning, an abrivado runs through the village: the manade du Soleil on Sunday, the manade Agnel on Monday, and twelve bulls released from the Capitainerie to the Bouvau on July 14th. The feria opens on Saturday with a conference and a commemoration around the Croix de Camargue, followed by the grand Feria parade featuring carriages, roussataïo, and manades.
Major Equestrian and Bullfighting Events
Three highlights define this year's edition. On Saturday evening, the "Songe d'une nuit en Camargue" sound and light show brings together the Aubanel, Baumelles, and Clément manades on the route de Cacharel, featuring over two hundred horses. On Sunday, the domaine de Méjanes hosts a full day of Camargue equestrian competitions—conformation and gaits, the Olivier Faure sorting championship—crowned by the 54th Rejon d'Or, a mounted bullfight featuring Léa Vicens, Guillermo Hermoso de Mendoza, and Joao Moura Jr. facing six bulls from Jalabert Frères. Finally, on Monday, the Saintes-Maries arena presents its grand nocturnal equestrian show, a tribute to Gotan.
Closing on July 14th
The feria concludes on Tuesday, July 14th, with an afternoon and evening of celebration: toro piscine and bullfighting clowns at the arena, the illumination of the town hall, and a dance with the Chris Remy orchestra at the place des Gitans, followed by the fireworks display on the plage des Amphores.
Highlights Feria du Cheval 2026
- "Songe d'une nuit en Camargue", equestrian sound and light show with the Aubanel, Baumelles, and Clément manades — Saturday, July 11th at 10:00 PM, route de Cacharel (€3)
- 54th Rejon d'Or, mounted bullfight with Léa Vicens, Guillermo Hermoso de Mendoza, and Joao Moura Jr. facing Jalabert Frères bulls — Sunday, July 12th at 6:00 PM, domaine de Méjanes arena
- Grand nocturnal equestrian show "Hommage à Gotan" — Monday, July 13th at 10:00 PM, Saintes-Maries arena
- Day of Camargue equestrian competitions at Méjanes: conformation and gaits, Olivier Faure sorting championship — Sunday, July 12th from 9:00 AM, free entry
- Feria opening parade with carriages, roussataïo, and manades — Saturday, July 11th at 6:00 PM
- Daily abrivados in the village and free equestrian performances at the place des Gitans
- Sevillana and flamenco evenings at the place des Gitans, place de l'Église, and in front of the arena
- Toro piscine, town hall illumination, and fireworks on the plage des Amphores — Tuesday, July 14th
Programme Feria du Cheval 2026
Saturday, July 11th, 2026
- 3:00 PM — Conference on the Croix de Camargue by Gilbert Chalençon · Relais culturel
- 5:00 PM — Commemoration of the Croix de Camargue, in the presence of the Félibrige
- 6:00 PM — Feria Parade: carriages, roussataïo, and the Terroux, Layalle, and Soumille manades · departing from Bouvau Aubanel, arriving at the Capitainerie
- 7:00 PM — Opening of the bodegas
- 10:00 PM — "Songe d'une nuit en Camargue", grand equestrian sound and light show with the Aubanel, Baumelles, and Clément manades · route de Cacharel (€3 entry fee)
Sunday, July 12th, 2026
At the domaine de Méjanes
- 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM — Conformation and gaits competition, mares
- 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM — Sorting competition, Olivier Faure Championship
- 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM — Conformation and gaits competition, males
- 4:30 PM — Equestrian competition awards ceremony
- 6:00 PM — 54th Rejon d'Or, mounted bullfight: Joao Moura Jr., Léa Vicens, and Guillermo Hermoso de Mendoza facing 6 bulls from Jalabert Frères · Méjanes arena
In Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer
- 11:00 AM — Tienta at the arena (free entry)
- 12:00 PM — Abrivado with the manade du Soleil
- 6:30 PM and 8:30 PM — Sevillana and flamenco dance · place des Gitans and place de l'Église
Monday, July 13th, 2026
- 11:00 AM — Abrivado with the manade Agnel
- 11:15 AM — Equestrian performances · place des Gitans (free)
- 6:00 PM — Sevillana and flamenco dance · place des Gitans
- 7:00 PM — Equestrian performances · place des Gitans (free)
- 9:00 PM — Sevillana and flamenco dance · in front of the arena
- 10:00 PM — Grand equestrian show at the arena, "Hommage à Gotan" (€35 general admission, €15 for children under 10)
Tuesday, July 14th, 2026
- 11:00 AM — Abrivado of 12 bulls · route: Capitainerie – Bouvau
- 11:15 AM — Equestrian performances · place des Gitans (free)
- 7:00 PM — Sevillana and flamenco dance · place des Gitans
- 8:00 PM — Equestrian performances · place des Gitans (free)
- 9:00 PM — Sevillana and flamenco dance · place de l'Église
- 9:30 PM — Toro piscine and bullfighting clowns · Saintes-Maries arena (€8, reduced rate €5)
- 10:00 PM — Feria closing: illumination of the town hall and Chris Remy orchestra · place des Gitans
- 11:00 PM — Fireworks · plage des Amphores
Program and times are subject to change by the organizer — please check with the Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer Tourist Office (+33 4 90 97 82 55).
Prices Feria du Cheval 2026
Feria du Cheval — 2027 edition
The 2026 edition was held from 11 July to 14 July 2026. The dates for the 2027 edition have not been announced yet. This page will be updated as soon as the official programme is published.
Practical information — Feria du Cheval
Practical Information
Access
The Feria du Cheval takes place at the bullring and in the streets of Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer, Place des Gitans, 13460 Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer. The Rejon d'Or and Sunday equestrian competitions are held at the domaine de Méjanes (Mas de Méjanes, Arles), and the "Songe d'une nuit en Camargue" sound and light show is on the Route de Cacharel.
- By car: Access via the D570 from Arles (38 km). Free parking is available on the outskirts of the village.
- By bus: Regular Envia bus service from Arles.
Schedule
- Four days of festivities in July, ending on July 14th — from Saturday, July 11th to Tuesday, July 14th for the 2026 edition.
- Free abrivados and equestrian events in the late morning (11:00 AM and 11:15 AM) at Place des Gitans.
- Sevillana and flamenco dance evenings starting at 6:00 PM, with major evening shows at 10:00 PM.
Prices
- Street entertainment, abrivados, and equestrian events: Free access
- Grand equestrian show at the bullring: €35 general admission, €15 for children under 10
- "Songe d'une nuit en Camargue" sound and light show: €3 contribution
- Toro piscine and bull clowns at the bullring: €8, reduced rate €5
- Rejon d'Or at the domaine de Méjanes: Entry to the estate and equestrian competitions are free; bullfight is ticketed — tickets available via the Arles bullring box office
Contact
- Organizer: Mairie des Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer
- Tourist Office: 5 Avenue Van Gogh, 13460 Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer — +33 (0)4 90 97 82 55
- Website and ticketing: saintesmaries.com
- Equestrian shows: +33 (0)6 29 82 40 32
- Rejon d'Or: +33 (0)8 91 70 03 70 or billetterie.arenes-arles.com
- Domaine de Méjanes: +33 (0)4 90 97 10 10 — mejanes-camargue.fr
The horse, king of the Camargue
Every year in July, Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer becomes the capital of horses and equestrian art during the Feria du Cheval. Established over two decades ago, this festival has become a cornerstone of Camargue culture, bringing together enthusiasts of horses, bulls, and Gypsy music—the three pillars of identity for Saintes-Maries and the Camargue region.
Equestrian shows and rejón bullfights
Each year, the Saintes-Maries bullring hosts a world-renowned nocturnal equestrian show: dressage, vaulting, high school riding, and stunts unfold under the stars, featuring the most prestigious riders and equestrian artists. The famous Rejon d'Or, a mounted bullfight held at the domaine de Méjanes arena, is another highlight of the feria, featuring renowned rejoneadores such as Guillermo Hermoso de Mendoza and Léa Vicens, who face bulls in a tradition spanning over fifty editions.
Parades, flamenco nights, and fireworks
Beyond the arena, the Feria du Cheval takes over the village streets and squares with abrivados, parades of gardians in traditional costume, Camargue-style riding demonstrations, equestrian competitions, and activities for all ages. Flamenco nights and sevillana dances set the rhythm for the evenings at Place des Gitans and Place de l'Église, while the bodegas offer a festive and friendly atmosphere. The July 14th fireworks on the beach and the Songe d'une nuit en Camargue show, which brings together between 200 and 250 horses in a magical sound and light display on the Route de Cacharel, are the most spectacular moments of the feria.
An event rooted in Camargue tradition
The Feria du Cheval is much more than just a show: it is a celebration of Camargue identity, where the white horse, the black bull, the gardian, and Gypsy music come together in a shared festive spirit. Organized by the town hall of Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer, the feria attracts thousands of visitors from across France and Europe every year, making this Camargue village a premier destination for Mediterranean equestrian and bullfighting culture.
Where does it take place — Feria du Cheval
Feria du Cheval in brief
Other festivals near Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer
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