Fête Votive d'Aimargues
Lei Raouba-Vesso: Ten days of Camargue traditions in Aimargues (Gard)
2026
About Fête Votive d'Aimargues
Fête Votive d'Aimargues — edition 2026
The Aimargues Votive Festival, known as "Lei Raouba-Vesso", takes place from Friday, July 10th to Sunday, July 19th, 2026, at the Léopold-Dupont bullring and the Jules-Ferry esplanade in the Petite Camargue region of the Gard. Ten days of traditional bullfighting events organized by the La Balestilla bullfighting club and the local municipality: daily abrivados with the Aubanel-Baroncelli manade, Camargue bull races, bandido festivals, breakfasts in the Demoiselles meadows, and live orchestra dances every evening. Highlights of this year's edition include the Henri-et-Pierre-Aubanel Trophy — Silver Frontal on July 16th and 19th, the 130th anniversary of the Aubanel-Baroncelli manade, and the closing 100-bull bandido.
Aimargues Votive Festival 2026 — "Lei Raouba-Vesso"
From Friday, July 10th to Sunday, July 19th, 2026, Aimargues (Gard) will spend ten days living to the rhythm of Camargue bulls and horses. The votive festival, organized by the La Balestilla bullfighting club and the municipality, takes place between the Léopold-Dupont bullring, the Jules-Ferry esplanade—where dances are held every night—and the fairground on Boulevard Jules-Ferry, which opens daily at 5:30 PM.
A daily ritual
The day begins at 9:00 AM with breakfast in the Demoiselles meadows in Le Cailar, followed around noon by the abrivado of the Aubanel-Baroncelli manade through the village streets. The afternoon belongs to the bullring, with a Camargue race usually at 4:45 PM, followed by the "vache en piste" for the brave and the bandido. In the evening, orchestras liven up the Jules-Ferry esplanade at 7:00 PM and 11:00 PM, often lasting until 2:00 or 3:00 AM.
Themed days
Each day is hosted by a local association: the "Sang et Or" day by the La Balestilla club on Saturday the 11th, Vintage day on Sunday the 12th, the Artisans and Merchants Trophy starting Monday the 13th, the Union Aimarguoise day for Bastille Day on Tuesday the 14th, Children's Day on Wednesday the 15th (small train to the meadows, branding, bouncy castles, mascots), and Seniors' Day on Thursday the 16th, featuring a complimentary lunch and aperitif.
Major bullfighting events
The Henri-et-Pierre-Aubanel Trophy — Silver Frontal — Robert Roux Memorial takes place over two days, Thursday the 16th and Sunday the 19th of July, featuring iconic bulls from the Occitane, Félix, Saint-Pierre, Guillierme, Aubanel-Baroncelli, Raynaud, Blatière-Bessac, Lagarde, Nicollin, Les Baumelles, Vinuesa, and Saumade manades. On Saturday the 18th at 9:30 PM, five manades will compete in the Abrivado Contest — Chloé Béchar Memorial. The closing ceremony on Sunday the 19th celebrates the 130th anniversary of the Aubanel-Baroncelli manade with the "despédido" of the bull Angora, the awards ceremony at 7:30 PM, and a 100-bull bandido.
Access to the streets and the fairground is free, and bullring races are free of charge, except for the event on Sunday, July 19th, which is by invitation only. Some activities require a fee (inter-village games, Avenir Trophy, foam bull events, Olympics).
Highlights Fête Votive d'Aimargues 2026
- Ten days of festivities from Friday, July 10th to Sunday, July 19th, 2026, between the Léopold-Dupont bullring and the Jules-Ferry esplanade
- Daily abrivado with the Aubanel-Baroncelli manade around noon and breakfast in the Demoiselles meadows at 9:00 AM
- Henri-et-Pierre-Aubanel Trophy — Silver Frontal — Robert Roux Memorial over two days, Thursday the 16th at 4:30 PM and Sunday the 19th at 4:15 PM
- Sunday, July 19th: 130th anniversary of the Aubanel-Baroncelli manade, despédido of the bull Angora, and a 100-bull bandido to close the event
- Tuesday, July 14th: branding in the meadows, race featuring seven manades, and fireworks at 10:15 PM at Docteur-Pierre-Broche park
- Wednesday, July 15th, Children's Day: small train to the meadows at 8:30 AM, branding, bouncy castles, and mascots
- Saturday, July 18th at 9:30 PM: Abrivado Contest — Chloé Béchar Memorial featuring five manades
- Live orchestra dances every evening at 7:00 PM and 11:00 PM on the Jules-Ferry esplanade (Sortie de Secours, Trait d'Union Perier, Night Kolorz, La Jungle, Cocktail de Nuit, Kristal Noir, Exit)
Programme Fête Votive d'Aimargues 2026
Every day from July 10th to 19th: 9:00 AM breakfast in the Demoiselles meadows (Le Cailar) · 12:00 PM abrivado of the Aubanel-Baroncelli manade in the streets · 5:30 PM fairground opens, Boulevard Jules-Ferry · at noon and after the race, "vache en piste" for the brave followed by the bandido (except July 19th). Sunday markets are relocated to Boulevard des Anciens-Combattants during the festival.
Friday, July 10th, 2026 — Opening
- 5:30 PM — Fairground opens · Boulevard Jules-Ferry
- 8:30 PM — Grand Aimargues / Marsillargues inter-village games by the Aimargues Youth · Léopold-Dupont bullring (€5, €3 for under 12s)
Saturday, July 11th, 2026 — "Sang et Or" Day (La Balestilla bullfighting club)
- 10:30 AM — Bike meet and picnic breakfast · Vidourle riverbanks, Marsillargues
- 11:00 AM — Three abrivados with the Arlatenco, Aubanel-Baroncelli, and Lescot manades
- 12:00 PM — Musical aperitif with an Aimargues DJ · Lucien-Dumas hall
- 4:45 PM — Avenir Trophy · Léopold-Dupont bullring (€10) — raseteurs M. Fougère, A. Cadenas, S. Hanchis, L. Benzegui, K. Laouazi, C. Larroudé
- 7:00 PM — Dance, Sortie de Secours orchestra · Jules-Ferry esplanade
- 9:30 PM — Bandido festival: 4 bulls one by one, Clément and Lescot manades
- 11:00 PM — Dance, Sortie de Secours orchestra until 3:00 AM · Jules-Ferry esplanade
Sunday, July 12th, 2026 — Vintage Day
- 12:00 PM — Musical entertainment by the peña Lou Pati · Jules-Ferry esplanade
- 4:45 PM — New bull race, Aubanel-Baroncelli, Nicollin, Saumade, and Vinuesa manades — raseteurs F. Boyer, A. Denis, Y. Kaïlali, S. Quinson, V. Rodriguez, V. Viscomi
- 7:00 PM — Dance, Trait d'Union Perier orchestra · Jules-Ferry esplanade
- 9:00 PM — Foam bull event by the Union Aimarguoise, Clément manade · bullring (€4, €2 for under 6s)
- 11:00 PM — Dance, Trait d'Union Perier orchestra until 2:00 AM
Monday, July 13th, 2026 — 1st day of the Artisans and Merchants Trophy
- 12:00 PM — Musical aperitif by the Union Aimarguoise with Sparkling Duo · Jules-Ferry esplanade
- 4:45 PM — Young bull race, Aubanel-Baroncelli, Guillierme, Raynaud, and Saint-Pierre manades — raseteurs H. Ben Amar, H. Cheibali, R. Marquès, F. Ranc, M. Taïeb, V. Viscomi
- 7:00 PM — Dance, Night Kolorz orchestra · Jules-Ferry esplanade
- 9:30 PM — Bandido festival, Du Levant and Martini manades
- 11:00 PM — Night Kolorz dance by Cprod with DJ Thomas Cé, until 3:00 AM
Tuesday, July 14th, 2026 — Bastille Day, Union Aimarguoise Day
- 12:00 PM — Branding in the meadows with calves and small heifers for children · Léopold-Dupont bullring
- 12:00 PM — Musical aperitif with the peña Les Z'improvistes and La Jungle (J. Challier, T. Cé, Clara Sax) · Jules-Ferry esplanade
- 4:45 PM — New bull race, Blatière-Bessac, Félix, Guillierme, Lagarde, Occitane, Raynaud, and Saint-Pierre manades — raseteurs F. Boyer, A. Denis, Y. Kaïlali, S. Quinson, V. Rodriguez, V. Viscomi
- 7:00 PM — La Jungle dance · Jules-Ferry esplanade
- 10:15 PM — Fireworks · Docteur-Pierre-Broche park
- 11:00 PM — La Jungle dance until 2:00 AM
Wednesday, July 15th, 2026 — Children's Day, 2nd day of the Artisans Trophy
- 8:30 AM — Children's small train to the meadows, departure from Simone-Veil school, return at 10:45 AM (registration required at town hall, 04 66 73 12 12, before July 13th at 4:00 PM)
- 9:00 AM — Breakfast provided for children and branding in the meadows with the Aimargues Fishermen's Union (limited spots, registration required)
- 12:00 PM — Cow and calf for children · bullring
- 12:00 PM — Surprise DJ dance · Jules-Ferry esplanade
- 12:30 PM — Bouncy castles, Disney mascots, and snack provided by the Union Aimarguoise · Jules-Ferry esplanade
- 4:45 PM — League race, Occitane, Saumade, and Vinuesa manades, FFCC raseteurs
- 7:00 PM — Dance, Cocktail de Nuit orchestra · Jules-Ferry esplanade
- 9:30 PM — Bandido festival, Devaux, Du Gardon, and Agnel manades
- 11:00 PM — Cocktail de Nuit dance until 2:00 AM
Thursday, July 16th, 2026 — Seniors' Day, 1st day of the Henri-et-Pierre-Aubanel Trophy
- 9:00 AM — Breakfast in the meadows provided for seniors, followed by branding
- 12:30 PM — Aperitif provided for seniors, Gipsy Estrellas entertainment by the peña Lou Pati · Jules-Ferry esplanade
- 4:30 PM — Henri-et-Pierre-Aubanel Trophy — Silver Frontal — Robert Roux Memorial, 1st day, capelado by the Lou Pantaï de Camarguo group · bulls Migra (Occitane), Dios (Félix), Raio (Saint-Pierre), Manescau (Guillierme), Orion (Aubanel-Baroncelli), Micoulin (Raynaud), and Unkass (Blatière-Bessac)
- 7:00 PM — Dance, Sortie de Secours orchestra · Jules-Ferry esplanade
- 9:00 PM — Union Aimarguoise Olympics, Clément, Aubanel-Baroncelli, Vinuesa manades and the Li Cabidoulo group · bullring (€10, free for under 6s)
- 11:00 PM — Sortie de Secours dance until 2:00 AM
Friday, July 17th, 2026 — 2nd day of the Artisans Trophy
- Cocardière cow race · bullring — Christie and Amélie (Blatière-Bessac), Tanée and Ruby (Les Baumelles), Jacomino and Galante (Nicollin), Bélodgia (Raynaud), and Civelle (Saint-Pierre) — raseteurs H. Ben Amar, H. Cheibali, R. Marquès, F. Ranc, M. Taïeb, V. Viscomi
- 7:00 PM — Dance, Sortie de Secours orchestra · Jules-Ferry esplanade
- 9:30 PM — "Papa's dance" with Pause Café · Le France brasserie
- 9:30 PM — Bandido festival, Conti and Tommy manades
- 11:00 PM — Sortie de Secours dance until 3:00 AM
Saturday, July 18th, 2026 — 3rd day of the Artisans Trophy
- 12:00 PM — Dance, Kristal Noir orchestra · Jules-Ferry esplanade
- 4:45 PM — Young bull race, Blatière-Bessac, Félix, Lagarde, and Les Baumelles manades — raseteurs H. Ben Amar, H. Cheibali, R. Marquès, S. Martinez, F. Ranc, M. Taïeb, V. Viscomi
- 7:00 PM — Dance, Kristal Noir orchestra · Jules-Ferry esplanade
- 9:30 PM — Abrivado Contest — Chloé Béchar Memorial, Aubanel-Baroncelli, La Comtesse, Agnel, Martini, and Arlatenco manades
- 11:00 PM — Kristal Noir dance until 3:00 AM
Sunday, July 19th, 2026 — Closing, 130th anniversary of the Aubanel-Baroncelli manade
- 12:00 PM — Dance, Exit orchestra · Jules-Ferry esplanade
- 3:50 PM — Bullring opens, capelado by the Li Cabidoulo group
- 4:15 PM — Henri-et-Pierre-Aubanel Trophy — Silver Frontal, 2nd day, by invitation · bulls Lupin (Lagarde), Jéricho (Nicollin), Mercure (Aubanel-Baroncelli), Cambon (Les Baumelles), Lavagnou (Guillierme), Conse (Vinuesa), and Divin (Saumade) — despédido of the bull Angora
- 7:30 PM — Grand awards ceremony with Li Cabidoulo
- Following — 100-bull bandido to close the festival
- Dance, Exit orchestra until midnight · Jules-Ferry esplanade
Monday, July 20th, 2026 — Extension
- 5:30 PM — League race by the La Balestilla bullfighting club, Blatière-Bessac and Nicollin manades · bullring (€5)
Prices Fête Votive d'Aimargues 2026
Free entry to Camargue races at the Léopold-Dupont bullring, except on Sunday, July 19th (Henri-et-Pierre-Aubanel Trophy, by invitation only).
Paid events:
- Grand inter-village games on Friday, July 10th: €5 (€3 for under 12s)
- Avenir Trophy on Saturday, July 11th: €10
- Foam bull event on Sunday, July 12th: €4 (€2 for under 6s accompanied by an adult)
- Olympics on Thursday, July 16th: €10 (free for under 6s)
- League race on Monday, July 20th: €5
Registration for the children's small train on Wednesday, July 15th at the town hall, 04 66 73 12 12, before Monday, July 13th at 4:00 PM.
Fête Votive d'Aimargues — 2027 edition
The 2026 edition was held from 10 July to 19 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 — Fête Votive d'Aimargues
Practical Information
Locations
The votive festival takes place across several sites in Aimargues (30470), in the Gard department:
- Arènes Léopold-Dupont — Camargue bullfights, trophies, and olympiads (1,000 seats)
- Esplanade Jules-Ferry — Orchestral dances every evening and musical aperitifs
- Champ de foire, boulevard Jules-Ferry — Open daily at 5:30 PM
- Prés des Demoiselles, in Le Cailar — Breakfast in the meadows and branding sessions at 9:00 AM
- Parc Docteur-Pierre-Broche — July 14th fireworks display
- Salle Lucien-Dumas — Musical aperitifs
The abrivados and bandidos (bull runs) take place in the village streets, between the meadows and the bullring.
Access and Parking
Aimargues is located in the Petite Camargue region of the Gard, between Nîmes and Montpellier, on the Lunel—Vauvert road. Parking is available on the outskirts of the village; streets along the abrivado and bandido routes are closed to traffic during the bull runs. During the festival, the Sunday markets are relocated to Boulevard des Anciens-Combattants.
Prices
Access to the streets and the fairground is free. Camargue bullfights in the arena are free, except for the closing day of the Trophée Henri-et-Pierre-Aubanel, which is by invitation only. Some events require a fee: inter-village games, Trophée de l'Avenir, foam bull runs, olympiads, and league races (ranging from €3 to €10).
Contact
Aimargues Town Hall — Place du 8 Mai 1945, 30470 Aimargues — 04 66 73 12 12 — aimargues.fr. Organized by the La Balestilla bullfighting club, in partnership with the Union aimarguoise, Jeunesse aimarguoise, the peña Lou Pati, and the Union des pêcheurs aimarguois. Tourist information: Cœur de Petite Camargue Tourist Office.
The Aimargues Votive Festival in the Petite Camargue
Every summer, Aimargues dedicates ten days to its votive festival, known by its Occitan name, "Lei Raouba-Vesso". Organized by the La Balestilla bullfighting club in collaboration with the municipality and local associations, it is deeply rooted in the grand bullfighting traditions of the Petite Camargue, centered on bulls, horses, and the manades (herds).
An arena at the heart of the village
Camargue bullfights are held at the Arènes Léopold-Dupont, which have borne this name since their inauguration during the 2007 festival following a renovation by architect Marc Schruoffeneger. The venue seats a thousand spectators and replaced the traditional "cart rings" of the past, as well as the original bull pens from 1905 and 1908.
Abrivados, bandidos, and themed days
The rhythm is set in stone: breakfast in the meadows in the morning, the abrivado around noon as the gardians (herdsmen) guide the bulls toward the arena, the race in the afternoon, the bandido on the return trip, and finally, dancing on the Esplanade Jules-Ferry until the early hours. Each day is hosted by a different association and has its own unique theme: "Sang et Or" day, the Artisans and Merchants Trophy, the national holiday, children's day, and seniors' day.
Key highlights
Two major events anchor the week: the Trophée Henri-et-Pierre-Aubanel — Frontal d'Argent — Souvenir Robert Roux, which brings together the iconic bulls from the delta's herds over two days, and the Concours d'abrivado — Souvenir Chloé Béchar. The festival concludes with a spectacular 100-bull bandido, a breathtaking display of the Camargue in motion.
A popular and free event
Access to the streets, the fairground on Boulevard Jules-Ferry, and almost all bullfighting events is free. The fairground opens daily at 5:30 PM, orchestras perform on the esplanade, and peñas (brass bands) provide the soundtrack for the aperitifs: the Aimargues votive festival remains, above all, a village celebration open to everyone.
Where does it take place — Fête Votive d'Aimargues
Fête Votive d'Aimargues in brief
History of Fête Votive d'Aimargues
Edition 2025 Aug 2025Other festivals near Aimargues
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