Fête Votive de Bessan

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 ».