Fête Votive des Hermaux

A Festive Tradition of Southern France

The fête votive, also called "vote" or "vogue" in the South of France, is a traditional patronal festival celebrated in villages in honor of the parish patron saint. In Les Hermaux, a small village in the Aubrac region of Lozère, this tradition has been carried on every year around August 15th, bringing together residents, families originally from the village, and passing vacationers.

A Festive and Popular Program

The Fête Votive des Hermaux offers a program typical of village festivals in the South:

• Fairground attractions that delight children and families
• Pétanque competition in doubles, open to all players
• Communal meal held in the village's public square, in a friendly and warm atmosphere
• Grand free raffle with many prizes to be won
• Various activities throughout the day
• Evening ball to conclude the festivities with music and dance

Les Hermaux, a Village in the Aubrac

Perched at over 1,000 meters above sea level on the Aubrac plateau, the village of Les Hermaux is a concentrate of rural authenticity. Surrounded by vast pastures, stone walls, and traditional shepherd huts (burons), this small hamlet offers a typical landscape of the Lozère Aubrac. The commune is known for its granite architecture, its herds of Aubrac cows, and its preserved natural setting.

A Moment of Reunion

The votive festival is traditionally a time for reunion for families originating from the village, who return for the occasion. It is also an opportunity for vacationers to discover the Lozère way of life and to share an authentic festive moment with the inhabitants.

Votive Festivals in Lozère

Lozère hosts numerous votive festivals throughout the summer, with each village having its own traditional date. These popular events, which perpetuate age-old traditions, are an essential part of the department's social and cultural life. They bear witness to the vitality of rural Lozère and the attachment of its inhabitants to their traditions.