Fête du Papogay
Medieval archery tradition in Rieux-Volvestre
About Fête du Papogay
The Fête du Papogay: a medieval tradition still alive
The Fête du Papogay is one of the oldest and most picturesque traditions of Rieux-Volvestre, a small town of character nestled at the confluence of the Arize and Garonne rivers in Haute-Garonne. The Papogay (or Papeguay) refers to a wooden bird — often a parrot — placed at the top of a mast, which archers must shoot down with a bow. This tradition dates back to the Middle Ages, a time when archery companies trained this way throughout Europe. In Rieux-Volvestre, it adheres to statutes dating from 1585 and 1589, inherited from two distinct archery societies.
Three days of festivities on the first weekend of May
For three days, the medieval city transforms. Friday evening traditionally opens the festivities. Saturday is dedicated to target shooting in the morning, then to young archers in the afternoon with the Papogay shoot for the «small» and «medium» (14 and 25-meter masts). Sunday, the most spectacular day, begins with a mass in period costume accompanied by an Occitan choir and the enthronement ceremony of the new kings.
The grand royal parade and the Papogay shoot
The highlight of the festival is the grand royal parade on Sunday afternoon: nearly 450 people in medieval costume set off from Sainte-Marie Cathedral, walk through the cobbled streets of Rieux-Volvestre, then reach the shooting range at Parc des Jacobins. There, the Company's archers attempt to shoot down the wooden and iron bird (4.5 kg) perched atop the King of Papogay's mast, 45 meters high. Whoever succeeds is proclaimed «King of Papogay» for the year and symbolically reigns over Rieux-Volvestre.
The three masts and their kings
The competition takes place on three masts of different sizes: the Roitelet (14 m) intended for young archers, the Roi des Moyens (25 m), and the grand Roi du Papogay (45 m). The arrows used are handcrafted by the archers themselves, made of ash wood, with duck feathers, hemp tow, and a flat metal tip designed to strike the bird.
A living heritage celebrated and transmitted
Relaunched and structured in 1957 under the impetus of the Compagnie des archers du Papogay, the festival has become an unmissable event in the cultural life of Rieux-Volvestre and attracts several thousand visitors each year. The intermunicipal tourist office houses a museum dedicated to this tradition, with models of the three masts, a fresco, costumes, archives, and a film that tells the story of the event. The Centre Occitan des Musiques et Danses Traditionnelles (COMDT) regularly contributes to the Sunday musical entertainment.
Fête du Papogay — edition 2026
The 2026 edition of the Fête du Papogay was held from Friday, May 1st to Sunday, May 3rd, 2026 in Rieux-Volvestre (Haute-Garonne). Three days of traditional festivities organized by the Compagnie des archers du Papogay, centered around archery on three masts (Roitelet 14 m, Roi des Moyens 25 m, Roi du Papogay 45 m), the grand royal parade in medieval costumes, and the Sunday Mass in Occitan. Free entry.
2026 Edition — May 1st to 3rd
The 69th contemporary edition of the Fête du Papogay took place on the first weekend of May 2026, faithful to the medieval tradition revived in 1957 by the Compagnie des archers du Papogay. Three festive days brought together archers, period costume re-enactors, musicians, residents, and visitors from all over Haute-Garonne and beyond.
Friday, May 1st — Opening
Opening of the festivities in the evening (6 PM - 10 PM) in Rieux-Volvestre with the first activities and the setup at Parc des Jacobins.
Saturday, May 2nd — Preparatory shooting and young archers
Full day (9 AM - 11 PM) dedicated to target shooting in the morning, then in the afternoon to the Papogay shooting for juniors and intermediates, reserved for young archers on the 14 m and 25 m masts. Street musical entertainment, on-site catering, and a traditional atmosphere in the alleys of the episcopal city.
Sunday, May 3rd — Papogay highlight
Central day of festivities (9:30 AM - 4 PM). On the program:
- Morning: Mass in period costume accompanied by an Occitan choir, at Sainte-Marie Cathedral, followed by the enthronement ceremony of the new kings.
- Afternoon: Grand royal parade in medieval costumes — nearly 450 re-enactors depart from the cathedral and cross the cobbled streets to Parc des Jacobins.
- Shooting of the Roi du Papogay: the Company's archers attempt to shoot down the wooden and iron bird (4.5 kg) perched at the top of the 45-meter mast. The one who succeeds is proclaimed Roi du Papogay for the year.
The musical entertainment for Sunday was provided, as in previous editions, by the traditional music groups invited by the Company.
Programme Fête du Papogay 2026
Friday, May 1st, 2026 — Opening
- 6 PM – 10 PM: opening of festivities in Rieux-Volvestre, setup, and first activities
Saturday, May 2nd, 2026 — Preparatory shooting and young archers
- Morning: target shooting
- Afternoon: Papogay shooting for juniors (14 m mast, the Roitelet) and intermediates (25 m mast, the Roi des Moyens) — trials reserved for young archers
- All day: street musical entertainment, on-site catering
- 9 AM – 11 PM: general hours of festivities
Sunday, May 3rd, 2026 — Papogay highlight
- Morning: Mass in period costume at Sainte-Marie Cathedral, accompanied by an Occitan choir, followed by the enthronement ceremony of the new kings
- Afternoon: grand royal parade in medieval costumes — departure from Sainte-Marie Cathedral, route through the medieval streets, arrival at the Parc des Jacobins shooting range (approximately 450 costumed participants)
- Afternoon (continued): shooting of the Roi du Papogay on the 45-meter mast; the first archer to shoot down the wooden and iron bird (4.5 kg) is proclaimed Roi du Papogay 2026
- 9:30 AM – 4 PM: day's operating hours
Highlights Fête du Papogay 2026
- Three days of medieval festivities on the first weekend of May in Rieux-Volvestre
- Grand royal parade on Sunday with nearly 450 participants in period costumes
- Papogay shooting on three giant masts (Roitelet 14 m, Roi des Moyens 25 m, Roi du Papogay 45 m)
- Sunday Mass in Occitan at Sainte-Marie Cathedral
- Living tradition inherited from the archers' statutes of 1585 and 1589
- Street musical entertainment and funfair
- Free entry
Prices Fête du Papogay 2026
Practical information — Fête du Papogay
Practical Information
Location
Rieux-Volvestre town center, parade in the medieval streets and shooting at Parc des Jacobins, 31310 Rieux-Volvestre (Haute-Garonne).
Period
The first weekend of May, over three days (Friday, Saturday, Sunday).
Price
Free entry to all festivities.
Access
Rieux-Volvestre is located approximately 60 km south of Toulouse, accessible via the D627. Parking is available near the town center and Parc des Jacobins. As the historic center is partly pedestrianized during the festivities, it is advisable to park at the village entrances.
Contact
Compagnie des archers du Papogay — 7, place Monseigneur de Lastic, 31310 Rieux-Volvestre
Phone: 05 61 87 63 33
Email: [email protected]
Official website: papogay.fr
To visit on site
The Papogay museum, housed by the intermunicipal tourist office, presents the history of the tradition, models of the three masts, costumes, and a documentary film. Also not to be missed: the 14th-century Sainte-Marie Cathedral, classified as a Historic Monument.
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« Sauf erreur de ma part les fêtes du Papogay se déroulent le 1er dimanche du mois de mai et non au mois de juillet »
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Where does it take place — Fête du Papogay
Parc des Jacobins
Parc des Jacobins, 31310 Rieux-Volvestre