Fête Votive de Vauvert
Traditional Camargue votive festival in Vauvert, Gard
2026
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.
Fête Votive de Vauvert — edition 2026
2026 Edition — August 8th to 16th
For nine days, Vauvert lives to the rhythm of its votive festival: breakfasts at the Prés des Demoiselles from 9 am, abrivados and bandidos galloping through the avenues, Camargue bull races at the Arènes Jean Brunel every late afternoon, musical aperitifs with peñas, a funfair on Avenue Victor Hugo, night races, and free concerts until 2 am at Place Paul Allier.
Two major new features
- A pre-launch evening on Friday, August 7th at 9 pm at the Arènes Jean Brunel with Chico & The Gypsies (€20, free for young people wearing the festival jersey).
- The return of the bullfight to the town's arena on Sunday, August 9th at 6 pm, featuring a lineup of Sébastien Castella, Nîmes-based rejoneadora Léa Vicens, and matador El Rafi — with bulls from Fermín Bohórquez for the toreo a caballo and Nuñez de Tarifa for the foot matadors.
Bouvine in the spotlight
The Arènes Jean Brunel host a race every day: Trophée de l'Avenir (42nd Christian Mestre Trophy on August 8th, 25th Vignerons Trophy on August 10th, 14th, and 15th), a cow race on August 11th, a league race on August 12th, the Trophée des Prémices final on August 13th, and, as a grand finale, the Trophée des As final — 18th Camargue Médical Trophy — on Sunday, August 16th.
Themed days and music
Each day has its own theme: "90s/2000s Tecktonik" on August 9th, Camargua Forza on the 10th, Girls' Day on the 11th, Children's Day on the 12th, Interbande Day on the 13th, and Old-Fashioned Day (costumes and best costume contest) on the 14th. As for music, eight free concerts will take place from 11 pm to 2 am at Place Paul Allier, and the bodegas will be open from Thursday, August 13th to Saturday, August 15th.
An anniversary closing
On Sunday, August 16th, the festival concludes with the 130th anniversary of the Manade Aubanel and the 100th anniversary of the Camargue Cross, featuring a release of 20 bulls after the bandido and an equestrian show in the evening.
This edition is part of the long history of Vauvert's votive festivals, with the first documented edition dating back to 1864.
Highlights Fête Votive de Vauvert 2026
- Chico & The Gypsies in a pre-launch concert on Friday, August 7th at 9 pm at the Arènes Jean Brunel
- The return of the bullfight to Vauvert on Sunday, August 9th at 6 pm: Sébastien Castella, Léa Vicens, and El Rafi
- Eight free concerts from 11 pm to 2 am, Place Paul Allier, from August 8th to 15th
- Daily abrivado and bandido, breakfast at the Prés des Demoiselles from 9 am
- One Camargue bull race per day at the Arènes Jean Brunel: Trophée de l'Avenir, cow races, league race, Trophée des Prémices final
- Themed days: "90s/2000s Tecktonik", Camargua Forza, Girls' Day, Children's Day, Interbande, Old-Fashioned Day
- Bodegas open from Thursday, August 13th to Saturday, August 15th
- Closing on Sunday, August 16th: Trophée des As final, 130th anniversary of the Manade Aubanel, 100 years of the Camargue Cross, release of 20 bulls, and equestrian show
Programme Fête Votive de Vauvert 2026
Friday, August 7th, 2026 — Pre-launch concert
- 9 pm — Chico & The Gypsies · Arènes Jean Brunel (€20, free for youth with the festival jersey)
Saturday, August 8th, 2026 — Official opening, youth aubade
- 9 am — Youth breakfast offered by the town · Place Dr Arnoux
- 9:30 am — Best jersey award and handover of the town keys
- 12 pm — Abrivado · Avenue de la Costière
- 12 pm — Musical aperitif with the Peña Paul Ricard d'Alès · Place Paul Allier
- 5:30 pm — Trophée de l'Avenir race, 42nd Christian Mestre Trophy and 15th Nicole Cartalade-Dumatras memorial, organized by the L'Abrivado bullfighting club · Arènes Jean Brunel (€10)
- 7 pm — Bandido to the retirement home
- 9:15 pm — Official opening and youth parade
- 9:30 pm — Taureau de Fuego, followed by a night race
- 11 pm — La Play concert · Place Paul Allier (free)
Sunday, August 9th, 2026 — "90s/2000s Tecktonik" costume day
- 9 am — Breakfast at the Prés des Demoiselles
- 11 am — Abrivado departing from the Prés des Demoiselles
- 12 pm — Cow for the youth
- 12:30 pm — Musical aperitif with DJ Kilou
- 6 pm — Mixed bullfight: Sébastien Castella, Léa Vicens, and El Rafi · Arènes Jean Brunel (general admission €25, numbered seats €30 to €85)
- 10 pm — Bandido festival
- 11 pm — Quentin Clauzel & Enzo Puech concert · Place Paul Allier (free)
Monday, August 10th, 2026 — Camargua Forza day
- 9 am — Breakfast at the Prés des Demoiselles
- 11 am — Abrivado departing from the Prés des Demoiselles
- 12 pm — Cow for the youth
- 12:30 pm — Musical aperitif with Florent Manzanera and games with Camargua Forza
- 5:30 pm — Trophée de l'Avenir race, 25th Vignerons Trophy, 3rd day · Arènes Jean Brunel (free admission)
- 7 pm — Bandido to the retirement home
- 10 pm — Night race
- 11 pm — Pixel concert · Place Paul Allier (free)
Tuesday, August 11th, 2026 — Girls' day
- 9 am — Breakfast at the Prés des Demoiselles
- 11 am — Abrivado departing from the Prés des Demoiselles
- 12 pm — Cow for the youth
- 12:30 pm — Musical aperitif with Peña del Fuego and DJ Kilou
- 5:30 pm — Cow race · Arènes Jean Brunel (free admission)
- 7 pm — Bandido to the retirement home
- 10 pm — Taureau piscine
- 11 pm — Kitchissima concert · Place Paul Allier (free)
Wednesday, August 12th, 2026 — Children's day
- 9 am — Breakfast at the meadows offered to children, small train by reservation at 04 66 73 17 35
- 11 am — Abrivado departing from the Prés des Demoiselles
- 12 pm — Cow for the youth
- 12:30 pm — Foam aperitif with Jérémie Challier
- 5:30 pm — League race (manades Lautier, Saumade, and La Clapière, FFCC trainee raseteurs) · Arènes Jean Brunel (free admission)
- 7 pm — Bandido to the retirement home
- 10 pm — Night race
- 11 pm — Trait d'Union Perrier concert · Place Paul Allier (free)
Thursday, August 13th, 2026 — Interbande day
- 9 am — Breakfast at the meadows and Carthame contest (registration on site the same day, 20 participants), organized by the association Les anciens de la carthagène Macabeo
- 11 am — Abrivado departing from the Prés des Demoiselles
- 12 pm — Cow for the youth
- 12:30 pm — Musical aperitif with Alexandre Vidal
- 5:30 pm — Trophée des Prémices final, in partnership with the FFCC · Arènes Jean Brunel (free admission)
- 7 pm — Bandido to the retirement home
- 10 pm — Inter-village night race with Vestric-et-Candiac
- 11 pm — La Jungle concert · Place Paul Allier (free)
Bodegas open from Thursday, August 13th to Saturday, August 15th.
Friday, August 14th, 2026 — Old-fashioned day
- 9 am — Breakfast at the meadows offered to people in costume, in partnership with the association Sian d'Aqui
- 11 am — Abrivado departing from the Prés des Demoiselles, followed by the awards ceremony for the best costume contest in the arena
- 12 pm — Musical aperitif with Peña la Provençale
- 5:30 pm — Trophée de l'Avenir race, 25th Vignerons Trophy, 4th day · Arènes Jean Brunel (€10)
- 7 pm — Bandido to the retirement home
- 10 pm — United bullfighting clubs evening
- 11 pm — Sortie de Secours concert · Place Paul Allier (free)
Saturday, August 15th, 2026
- 9 am — Breakfast at the Prés des Demoiselles
- 11 am — Abrivado departing from the Prés des Demoiselles
- 12 pm — Cow for the youth
- 12:30 pm — Musical aperitif with Peña Camargua
- 5:15 pm — Opening with two bulls raseteurs by the bullfighting school
- 5:30 pm — Trophée de l'Avenir race, 25th Vignerons Trophy · Arènes Jean Brunel (free admission)
- 7 pm — Bandido to the retirement home
- 10 pm — Night race
- 11 pm — Evening with Saint-Honoré and Olivier Darock in warm-up · Place Paul Allier (free)
Sunday, August 16th, 2026 — Closing, 130th anniversary of the Manade Aubanel and 100 years of the Camargue Cross
- 9 am — Breakfast at the Prés des Demoiselles
- 11 am — Abrivado departing from the Prés des Demoiselles
- 12 pm — Cow for the youth
- 12:30 pm — Musical aperitif with Peña Paul Ricard d'Alès
- 5:30 pm — Trophée des As final, 18th Camargue Médical Trophy · Arènes Jean Brunel (€13, numbered seat €17)
- 7:30 pm — Bandido to the retirement home, followed by a release of 20 bulls
- 10 pm — Night race and festival closing with an equestrian show
Boules fortnight (boulodrome, EBJC)
- Thursday, August 6th and Friday, August 7th, 2:30 pm — Maurice Berthet and Gérard Auzilhon Challenge, doubles (€600 + stakes)
- Saturday, August 8th and Sunday, August 9th, 9 am — Grand Prix of the town, Raymond Erb, Aymé Ribes, and Henri Girardet Challenge, triples (€1,700 + stakes)
- Monday, August 10th, 3 pm — Mixed triples pétanque (€250 + stakes)
- Tuesday, August 11th and Wednesday, August 12th, 2:30 pm — P. Valette – G. Théron – Y. Berthet Jubilee, triples (€600 + stakes)
- Thursday, August 13th and Friday, August 14th, 2:30 pm — Intermarché contest, triples (€600 + stakes)
- Saturday, August 15th, 3 pm — Mixed doubles pétanque (€150 + stakes)
Official program of the City of Vauvert, subject to change.
Prices Fête Votive de Vauvert 2026
Chico & The Gypsies concert (Friday, August 7th, Arènes Jean Brunel): €20 — free for young people wearing the festival jersey.
Mixed bullfight (Sunday, August 9th, 6 pm): general admission €25, numbered seats from €30 to €85.
Trophée de l'Avenir race on Saturday, August 8th and Friday, August 14th: €10.
Races on August 10th, 11th, 12th, 13th, and 15th at the arena: free admission.
Trophée des As final (Sunday, August 16th): €13, numbered seat €17.
Online ticketing at www.vauvert.com and pre-booking at 04 66 73 17 99 with the Department of Culture and Events, 56 Avenue Victor Hugo, 30600 Vauvert.
Practical information — Fête Votive de Vauvert
Access and Locations
All festivities take place in the town center of Vauvert (30600), centered around two main hubs: the Arènes Jean Brunel on avenue Victor Hugo for Camargue-style bullfighting and corridas, and place Paul Allier for musical aperitifs and nightly concerts. The abrivados depart from Prés des Demoiselles, which can be reached via avenue Henri Aubanel and then chemin d'Anglas (pedestrian and vehicle routes are signposted).
Traffic and Parking
- Pedestrian Zone: The town center and the fairground area are closed to traffic and parking from 11:00 am until the end of the evening dances.
- Free Parking: Available at place Raymond Erb and avenue Jean Jaurès.
- The funfair is located on avenue Victor Hugo (rides, skill games).
- The Wednesday and Saturday markets will continue as scheduled, relocated around the Temple; the abrivados follow their usual route (rue Carnot, rue Victor Hugo, etc.) and will pass nearby.
- Public Restrooms: Located at the bullring, place Dr Arnoux, and on the fairground.
Pricing
Most town events (abrivados, bandidos, meadow breakfasts, peñas, bodegas, and nightly concerts) are free to attend. Certain events at the Arènes Jean Brunel and specific arena shows (corridas, opening concert) require tickets: please check the current edition's pricing details.
Safety
Bull warning: please exercise caution during abrivados and bandidos. Fireworks signal the start and end of each route, where all motor vehicles are strictly prohibited. Municipal police, gendarmes, mediators, and a specialized prevention team are on duty every night of the festival; breathalyzer checks are conducted around the town throughout the event.
Information and Ticketing
Department of Culture and Events, 56 avenue Victor Hugo, 30600 Vauvert — 04 66 73 17 99 — [email protected]. Online ticketing at vauvert.com.
Vauvert Town Hall, 2 place de la Libération et du 8 mai 1945: 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
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.
Where does it take place — Fête Votive de Vauvert
Fête Votive de Vauvert in brief
History of Fête Votive de Vauvert
Edition 2025 Jun 2025Other festivals near Vauvert
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