Fête Votive du Grau-du-Roi
Votive festival in Le Grau-du-Roi, Gard
2026
About Fête Votive du Grau-du-Roi
The Fête Votive in Le Grau-du-Roi is the local festival of this Gard town in the heart of the Camargue. Established in 1946, it takes place every September, marking the end of summer for the locals. The event features abrivados and bandidos at the swing bridge, encierros on the beach, Camargue bullfights in the arena, roussataïo, traditional Languedoc jousting on the canal, and street dances.
Fête Votive du Grau-du-Roi — edition 2026
Established in 1946, the Fête Votive of Le Grau-du-Roi celebrates its 80th anniversary from September 11 to 20, 2026: ten days of bull releases, abrivados, bandidos, beach encierros, and course camarguaise events at the bullring. Access to the festival is free, while events in the bullring are ticketed.
2026 Edition
The Grau festival takes place from Friday, September 11 to Sunday, September 20, 2026, marking its 80th anniversary, with the tourist office dating its origins back to 1946. The announced program includes: bull releases, course camarguaise events at the bullring, abrivados, bandidos, roussataïo, encierros, and public dances.
At the bullring
The Arènes du Grau du Roi, managed by Vincent Ribéra, open the festival on Friday, September 11 at 4:00 PM with the national final of the cow cocardière race, followed by a course camarguaise every day from September 13 to 20 at 4:00 PM: Trophée des As on the 13th, 17th, and 20th; Trophée de l'Avenir on the 14th, 15th, 16th, and 19th; and a young bull race on the 18th. The 2025 season attracted 122,710 entries to the bullring, including 48,059 for the course camarguaise events.
The Revivre, September 26 and 27
A week after the closing, two days extend the festival with abrivados, bandidos, course camarguaise events, and musical entertainment. Two Trophée de l'Avenir races are scheduled at the bullring on Saturday, September 26 and Sunday, September 27 at 4:00 PM. Free admission.
Detailed program
As of mid-August 2026, the day-by-day street event schedule has not yet been released by the town hall: only the bullring calendar and the two jousting events are known.
Highlights Fête Votive du Grau-du-Roi 2026
- 80th anniversary of the festival, established in 1946
- National final of the cow cocardière race at the bullring, Friday, September 11 at 4:00 PM
- Three Trophée des As course camarguaise events: Sunday, September 13, Thursday, September 17, and Sunday, September 20 at 4:00 PM
- Grand capelado led by Patrice Blanc on Sunday, September 20
- Languedoc jousting on the canal: tournament on Sunday, September 13 at 10:30 AM, challenge on Friday, September 18 at 10:30 AM
Programme Fête Votive du Grau-du-Roi 2026
As of mid-August 2026, the town hall has not yet released the day-by-day street event schedule. However, the calendar for the bullring and jousting tournaments is confirmed.
Friday, September 11, 2026
- 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM — National final of the cow cocardière race · Arènes du Grau du Roi
Sunday, September 13, 2026
- 10:30 AM — Languedoc jousting tournament for the votive festival, hosted by the Jeune Lance Graulenne association · Town center canal · free admission
- 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM — Course camarguaise, Trophée des As · Arènes du Grau du Roi · 18 € / 13 € / 7 €
Monday, September 14, 2026
- 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM — Course camarguaise, Trophée de l'Avenir · Arènes du Grau du Roi
Tuesday, September 15, 2026
- 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM — Course camarguaise, Trophée de l'Avenir · Arènes du Grau du Roi
Wednesday, September 16, 2026
- 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM — Course camarguaise, Trophée de l'Avenir · Arènes du Grau du Roi
Thursday, September 17, 2026
- 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM — Course camarguaise, Trophée des As · Arènes du Grau du Roi · 18 € / 13 € / 7 €
Friday, September 18, 2026
- 10:30 AM — Jousting challenge · Town center canal · free
- 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM — Course camarguaise featuring young bulls, competition between the Mailhan, Vinuesa, Saumade, Nicollin, de Méjanes, Paulin, and Occitane manades, in memory of Claude Saumade · Arènes du Grau du Roi
Saturday, September 19, 2026
- 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM — Course camarguaise, Trophée de l'Avenir · Arènes du Grau du Roi
Sunday, September 20, 2026
- 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM — Course camarguaise, Trophée des As · Arènes du Grau du Roi · 18 € / 13 € / 7 €
- Grand capelado orchestrated by Patrice Blanc, announced during the 2026 bullfighting season presentation
During the ten days
- Bull releases, abrivados, bandidos, roussataïo, and encierros in the streets and on the beach
- Public dances
The schedules for the abrivados, bandidos, encierros, and dances have not yet been published.
Prices Fête Votive du Grau-du-Roi 2026
Practical information — Fête Votive du Grau-du-Roi
Practical information
Location
The festival takes place throughout the town of Le Grau-du-Roi (30240), including the swing bridge, the quays, the Plagette on the right bank, the town center canal, and the arena.
The arena
Arènes du Grau du Roi, route des Arènes (3 route d'Aigues-Mortes), 30240 Le Grau-du-Roi. For information and bookings: 04 66 51 12 12 or 06 69 69 51 63.
Prices
Access to the festival is free. Camargue bullfights in the arena require a ticket: Trophée des As €18 / €13 / €7.
Contact
Office de tourisme du Grau-du-Roi Port Camargue, Villa Parry, rue du Sémaphore, 30240 Le Grau-du-Roi — 04 66 51 67 70. Organized by: Mairie du Grau-du-Roi, Events Department.
The Fête Votive in Le Grau-du-Roi
Established in 1946, the Fête du Grau is the town's signature local festival. For about ten days in September, the seaside resort comes alive with the rhythm of Camargue traditions: bulls run through the streets, encierros take place on the beach, the arena hosts a series of Camargue bullfights, and evening dances fill the squares. Visitors and vacationers mingle with the locals to join in the festivities.
Traditional highlights
- Abrivado — The driving of bulls from the pastures to the arena, escorted by gardians on horseback. In Le Grau-du-Roi, this takes place at the swing bridge.
- Bandido — The return journey, where the bulls are led back to the pastures.
- Encierro — Bulls are released onto the Plagette beach, which is cordoned off; the most daring spectators try to get close to them.
- Course camarguaise — In the arena, white-clad raseteurs use a hook to snatch the cockade, tassels, and strings attached to the bull's horns.
- Roussataïo — A parade of mares and foals guided by the gardians.
- Languedoc jousting — On the canal, jousters dressed in white face off from the top of their boats, accompanied by a peña band.
Bodegas and dances
The party continues well into the night with popular dances, open-air concerts, and bodegas set up in bars and public squares for the occasion.
Where does it take place — Fête Votive du Grau-du-Roi
Fête Votive du Grau-du-Roi in brief
History of Fête Votive du Grau-du-Roi
Edition 2025 Jul 2025Other festivals near Le Grau-du-Roi
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