Fête Votive de Bessan
Votive Festival of Saint Lawrence in Bessan, centered around the totemic donkey (Hérault)
About Fête Votive de Bessan
The Votive Festival of Saint Lawrence in Bessan, Hérault, is the village's major patron saint festival. For five days in August, the village celebrates its patron saint around its historic emblem: the Totemic Donkey of Bessan, a traditional figure listed in the Inventory of Intangible Cultural Heritage in France. The festival is jointly organized by the municipality, the festival committee, the Friends of the Donkey association, and local associations.
The Votive Festival of Saint Lawrence in Bessan
The Festival of Saint Lawrence, patron of the village, is the major votive festival of Bessan, in Hérault. Deeply rooted in Languedoc popular tradition, it takes place every year in early August for five days, bringing together the people of Bessan and visitors around a procession of popular entertainment, dances, games, and rides set up on the village promenade.
The Totemic Donkey: an emblem listed in the ICH
The central element of the festival is the Totemic Donkey of Bessan — locally nicknamed « l'Ase de Bessan ». This ritual figure, carried during the village's major festivals, is one of the totemic animals of Languedoc and has been listed in the Inventory of Intangible Cultural Heritage in France by the Ministry of Culture. The association Les Amis de l'Âne ensures its outing and promotion during Saint Lawrence.
Five days of popular festivities
The program follows an identifiable pattern each year: outing of the totemic donkey, associative parade, free evening dances on the Place de la Promenade, a funfair for all ages, pétanque competitions, musical entertainment, and moments of village conviviality. The official and detailed program is traditionally published in the commune in July, ahead of the festival.
A collectively organized festival
The festival is co-organized by the Bessan town hall, the festival committee, the association Les Amis de l'Âne, and the usual fairground operators and partners of the village. This collegiate organization is one of the keys to the uninterrupted vitality of Saint Lawrence in Bessan, which is recognized among the local festivals as being one of the « most beautiful festivals in France ».
Fête Votive de Bessan — edition 2026
2026 edition of the Votive Festival of Saint-Laurent in Bessan (Hérault), from Saturday, August 8 to Wednesday, August 12, 2026. Five days of popular festivities centered around the Totemic Donkey of Bessan: donkey parade, associative procession, free dances, funfair, entertainment, and Languedoc traditions.
Votive Festival of Saint-Laurent 2026 in Bessan
The patron saint festival of Saint-Laurent returns to Bessan from Saturday, August 8 to Wednesday, August 12, 2026, for five days of popular festivities in the heart of the Hérault village. As every year, the festival is organized by the municipality, the festival committee, the association Les Amis de l'Âne, and local associations, in conjunction with the usual fairground operators.
The Totemic Donkey at the Heart of the Festival
A central element of the 2026 edition, as in previous ones, is the parade of the Totemic Donkey of Bessan (the «Ase de Bessan»), a figure listed in the Inventory of Intangible Cultural Heritage in France. The donkey traditionally comes out on Saturday in the early evening, preceded by an associative procession through the village streets.
On the Program (usual framework, detailed program to come)
The official program for the 2026 edition will be distributed in the commune in July 2026. As every year, it will include:
- The parade of the Totemic Donkey and the opening associative procession
- Free dances every evening on the Place de la Promenade
- The traditional funfair with rides for all ages
- Petanque competitions and sports activities
- Musical entertainment, popular traditions, and moments of village conviviality
Participate in the Organization
Shopkeepers and association leaders wishing to be involved in the festival have until June 15, 2026 to submit their proposals to the town hall, by email to [email protected].
Highlights Fête Votive de Bessan 2026
- Parade of the Totemic Donkey of Bessan, listed in the French Intangible Cultural Heritage
- 5 days of patron saint festival from Saturday, August 8 to Wednesday, August 12, 2026
- Free dances every evening on the Place de la Promenade
- Traditional funfair for all ages
- Festival classified among the « Most beautiful festivals in France »
Prices Fête Votive de Bessan 2026
Practical information — Fête Votive de Bessan
Practical Information
Location
Bessan (34550), Hérault — village center, Place de la Promenade and around the town hall.
Access
Bessan is located in Hérault, near Agde, a few kilometers from the sea. Access by car via the A9 (exit 34 Agde / Pézenas) then departmental road. Parking available on the outskirts of the village center during the festival.
Prices
Access to the festival and dances: free entry. Rides and stands at the funfair have their own pricing directly from the operators.
Contact
Bessan Town Hall — Place de la Mairie, 34550 Bessan
Phone: 04 67 00 81 89
Email: [email protected]
Official website: www.bessan.fr
Festival-goer photos
No photo yet. Share yours!
Share your photos
5 photos max, 5 MB per photo (JPG, PNG, WebP)
Vous avez repéré une erreur ou une information manquante ?
Aidez-nous à garder cette fiche à jour. Toute proposition est relue par notre équipe avant publication.
Festival-goer reviews
No rating yet — be the first!
No review yet. Be the first!
Were you there?
Share your experience with the community
Where does it take place — Fête Votive de Bessan
Centre du village de Bessan (place de la Promenade)
Place de la Mairie, 34550 Bessan, 34550 Bessan