Fête Votive de Vauvert
Traditional Camargue votive festival in Vauvert, Gard
About Fête Votive de Vauvert
The Vauvert Votive Festival is one of the major annual events in Gard and Petite Camargue. Organized every summer by the City of Vauvert, it celebrates Camargue traditions centered around the Camargue bull and horse and gathers several thousand people for nine days of festivities, in the town's streets and at the Arènes Jean Brunel.
An emblematic votive festival of Gard
The Vauvert Votive Festival is one of the most important in Gard, heir to a deeply rooted tradition in Petite Camargue. For nine days, the commune lives to the rhythm of the bouvine — Camargue races, abrivados, bandidos, encierros — between the Prés des Demoiselles, the town center streets, and the Arènes Jean Brunel, avenues Victor Hugo.
The festival brings together Vauverdois families, groups of young people, amateurs and enthusiasts of Camargue bullfighting culture, as well as many visitors from Gard, Hérault, and Bouches-du-Rhône. Each edition offers a program punctuated by peñas and bandas that liven up the town, folk groups, bodegas, the funfair, boules competitions, and lively evenings at the arenas.
A typical day
The schedule is recurrent from one day to the next, with a packed program from late morning to late night:
- 9:00 AM — Lunch at Prés des Demoiselles
- 11:00 AM — Abrivado starting from Prés des Demoiselles
- 5:00 PM / 5:30 PM — Camargue race at the arenas
- 7:00 PM / 7:30 PM — Bandido to the retirement home
- Evening — Town entertainment and festivities with the peñas
- 9:30 PM / 10:00 PM — Night race, festive abrivado-bandido and show
- 11:00 PM — Ball at the arenas
Throughout the week, there are also the Trophée des As race, toro-piscine, themed days, and musical entertainment.
An ancient tradition
The Vauvert Votive Festival has its roots in the 19th century (first documented edition in 1864) and constitutes, along with the votive festivals of Gallician and Montcalm, a highlight of the communal festive calendar.
Fête Votive de Vauvert — edition 2026
The 2026 edition of the Votive Festival of Vauvert will take place from Saturday, August 8 to Sunday, August 16, 2026 at the Arènes Jean Brunel and in the streets of the city center. Nine days of Camargue tradition, including abrivados, bandidos, Camargue bull races, peñas, bodegas, and nocturnal dances.
2026 Edition — August 8 to 16
For nine days, Vauvert lives to the rhythm of its votive festival: abrivados and bandidos galloping through the avenues, Camargue bull races at the Arènes Jean Brunel, lunches in the meadows, peñas and bandas, funfair, bodegas, boules competitions, toro-piscine, and dances until the end of the night.
This edition is part of the long series of Vauvert votive festivals, the first documented edition of which dates back to 1864.
Programme Fête Votive de Vauvert 2026
A typical day during the festival (August 9 to 16)
- 09:00 AM — Lunch at Prés des Demoiselles
- 11:00 AM — Abrivado starting from Prés des Demoiselles
- 05:00 PM — 05:30 PM — Camargue bull race at Arènes Jean Brunel
- 07:00 PM — 07:30 PM — Bandido to the retirement home
- Evening — Town entertainment and festivities with peñas and bodegas
- 09:30 PM — 10:00 PM — Night race, festive abrivado-bandido, and show
- 11:00 PM — Dance at Arènes Jean Brunel
Saturday, August 8 — opening
Traditional kick-off of the festival (specific opening program to be detailed by the City closer to the event).
Week's highlights
- Trophée des As race at the arenas (date to be confirmed by the City)
- Toro-piscine and themed days
- Boules competition
- Musical entertainment by peñas and folk groups throughout the week
The detailed nominative program (artists, orchestras, specific races) is traditionally published by the City of Vauvert a few weeks before the opening, on vauvert.com and the official Facebook page.
Highlights Fête Votive de Vauvert 2026
- Nine days of Camargue tradition: abrivados, bandidos, Camargue bull races
- Entertainment throughout the town by peñas and bandas
- Trophée des As race at Arènes Jean Brunel
- Lunches at Prés des Demoiselles, bodegas, and funfair
- Nocturnal dances at the arenas
Prices Fête Votive de Vauvert 2026
Practical information — Fête Votive de Vauvert
Access and location
All festivities take place in the center of Vauvert (30600), with a highlight at the Arènes Jean Brunel, located on avenues Victor Hugo. The abrivados traditionally start from the Prés des Demoiselles.
Prices
Most of the entertainment in the town (abrivados, bandidos, peñas, bodegas, atmosphere) is with free access. Camargue races at the arenas may be subject to a fee depending on the events — inquire at the town hall or tourist office.
Information
- City Animation Department: 04 66 73 17 99 — [email protected]
- Vauvert Town Hall: 04 66 73 10 73 — [email protected]
- Cœur de Petite Camargue Tourist Office: 04 66 88 28 52 — [email protected] — Place Ernest Renan, 30600 Vauvert
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Where does it take place — Fête Votive de Vauvert
Arènes Jean Brunel
Arènes Jean Brunel, avenues Victor Hugo, 30600 Vauvert, 30600 Vauvert