Fêtes de la Madeleine
Traditional Féria of Beaucaire, in the Gard
About Fêtes de la Madeleine
The Fêtes de la Madeleine are the great traditional féria of Beaucaire, in the Gard department in Occitanie. Heir to the Sainte-Marie-Madeleine fair created in 1464 to revive the local economy after the Hundred Years' War, the event takes place every year from July 21st and offers a week of Provençal and Camargue festivities: corridas, abrivado, bandido, encierro, Camargue races, costume parades, bodegas, open-air concerts, and a funfair.
The Fêtes de la Madeleine, emblematic féria of Beaucaire
The Fêtes de la Madeleine are one of the highlights of summer in the Gard. Every year from July 21st, Sainte-Marie-Madeleine's Day, the town of Beaucaire switches to féria mode for a week of festivities combining Camargue tradition, bullfighting art, and popular celebration.
A fair born in 1464
The Sainte-Marie-Madeleine fair was established in 1464 by King Louis XI to revitalize Beaucaire's economy after the Hundred Years' War. Over the centuries, it transformed into a great Provençal and Camargue votive festival, becoming one of the major bullfighting events in the South of France.
A week of Provençal and Camargue festivities
The program unfolds in the city center, at the Arènes Paul Laurent and the Champ de Foire. On the menu: opening parade in Provençal and Camargue costumes with over 700 participants and a hundred animals, abrivado de Saint-Roman, encierro and bull releases, Camargue races (notably the Palme d'Or and the Palme d'Argent), corridas, novillada, bodegas, peñas, free concerts, funfair, and fireworks.
The return of corridas and the Camargue race
After several years without formal corridas, the féria has reconnected with Spanish bullfighting thanks to the Club Taurin Beaucairois and the Aficion Taurine Beaucairoise. On the Camargue race side, the Palme d'Or brings together the best raseteurs of the moment in the arenas, accompanied by the Palme d'Argent.
An unmissable popular event
The Féria de la Madeleine attracts tens of thousands of visitors each year from all over the Gard department, Bouches-du-Rhône, Vaucluse, Hérault, and beyond. Between bullfighting tradition, Provençal fervor, and bodega atmosphere, it is one of the great moments of summer in Occitanie.
Fêtes de la Madeleine — edition 2026
2026 edition of the Fêtes de la Madeleine in Beaucaire, from Tuesday, July 21 to Monday, July 27, 2026. Seven days of traditional feria including Camargue races, bullfights, abrivado, bandido, costumed parades, bodegas, and concerts in the heart of the city and at the Arènes Paul Laurent.
Fêtes de la Madeleine 2026 — Beaucaire
The 2026 edition of the Fêtes de la Madeleine takes place from Tuesday, July 21 to Monday, July 27, 2026 in Beaucaire (Gard). A week of popular festivities that blends Camargue tradition and bullfighting art, respecting a history of over five centuries.
The return of bullfights after more than ten years of absence
A highly anticipated highlight of the 2026 edition: the return of bullfights to the Arènes Paul Laurent, after more than a decade without a formal Spanish bullfight. The Club Taurin Beaucairois (presided over by Florent Guigue) and the Aficion Taurine Beaucairoise are organizing a mixed bullfight with an exceptional lineup and a novillada with animals from the Portuguese breeding farm of Curé de Valverde.
Camargue tradition and opening parade
As every year, the feria opens on July 21 with the grand opening parade at 9 p.m., starting from the Beaucaire-Tarascon bridge, following Quai du Général de Gaulle then Boulevards Foch and Joffre, to reach the Arènes. More than 700 participants in Provençal and Camargue costumes, a hundred animals, over 20,000 spectators expected. The Palme d'Or and Palme d'Argent Camargue races bring together the best raseteurs of the moment in the arenas. Also on the program: abrivado de Saint-Roman, encierro of 100 bulls, recortadores with forcados, Rodéo'Show, Beaucaire Olympiads, peñas and bodegas in the city center, funfair, and free concerts.
Programme Fêtes de la Madeleine 2026
Tuesday, July 21, 2026 — Opening
- 7:00 p.m. — Renewal of vows at the Collegiate Church of Notre-Dame-des-Pommiers
- 9:00 p.m. — Grand opening parade in Provençal and Camargue costumes: Beaucaire-Tarascon bridge → Quai du Général de Gaulle → Boulevards Foch and Joffre → Arènes Paul Laurent. Public presentation of participating peñas and groups, Mayor's address.
From Wednesday, July 22 to Friday, July 24, 2026 — Camargue tradition and festivities
- Daily abrivados and bandidos in the city center
- Encierros and bull releases
- Camargue races at the Arènes Paul Laurent (Palme d'Or, Palme d'Argent)
- Beaucaire Olympiads at the Arènes (10 € full price, 5 € reduced for under 12s)
- Peñas and bodegas throughout the city center
- Free open-air concerts and funfair at the Champ de Foire
Saturday, July 25, 2026 — Mixed Bullfight
- 7:00 p.m. — At the Arènes Paul Laurent: Mixed Bullfight (organized by Club Taurin Beaucairois / Aficion Taurine Beaucairoise). Lineup: Diego Ventura (rejoneador), Pablo Aguado, Clemente. Portuguese bulls: 2 bulls from Guiomar Cortes de Moura (for Diego Ventura) and 4 bulls from Calejo Pires (for Clemente and Pablo Aguado). Prices: from 35 € to 105 € (general), 18 € (under 12s). Reservations: [email protected] / 06 87 72 05 81 / Billetweb.
Sunday, July 26, 2026 — Novillada
- At the Arènes Paul Laurent: Novillada with six novillos from the Portuguese ganadería of Curé de Valverde. Lineup to be announced later by the Aficion Taurine Beaucairoise.
Monday, July 27, 2026 — Closing
- Continuation and end of bullfighting and Camargue activities
- Closing fireworks display (detailed official program to come)
Program communicated based on official announcements known as of the verification date (May 2026). The complete and definitive program is gradually published on the official website of the City of Beaucaire and that of the bullfighting organizers.
Highlights Fêtes de la Madeleine 2026
- Emblematic feria of the Gard, heir to the 1464 fair
- Return of bullfights after more than 10 years of absence (lineup Diego Ventura / Pablo Aguado / Clemente on July 25)
- Grand opening parade on July 21: 700 participants, 100 animals, 20,000 spectators
- Palme d'Or and Palme d'Argent Camargue races at the Arènes Paul Laurent
- Abrivado de Saint-Roman, encierro, daily bandidos
- Bodegas, peñas, free concerts, and funfair for 7 days
Prices Fêtes de la Madeleine 2026
Practical information — Fêtes de la Madeleine
Practical Information
Location
Beaucaire (30300), in the Gard department, Occitanie region. The main events take place in the historic city center, at the Arènes Paul Laurent and the Champ de Foire.
Access
Beaucaire is accessible from the A9 motorway (Remoulins exit) then the D986, or from Tarascon (nearby SNCF station) via the bridge over the Rhône. The city center and the arenas are approximately 25 km from Avignon, 30 km from Nîmes, and 25 km from Arles.
Parking
During the féria, traffic and parking in the city center are heavily disrupted. Park-and-ride facilities are usually set up by the municipality. It is best to arrive early or use shuttles when they are offered.
Contact
Beaucaire Town Hall — 04 66 59 10 06. More information on the official website of the City of Beaucaire and from the Provence Occitane / Beaucaire Terre d'Argence tourist office.
Festival-goer photos
No photo yet. Share yours!
Share your photos
5 photos max, 5 MB per photo (JPG, PNG, WebP)
Vous avez repéré une erreur ou une information manquante ?
Aidez-nous à garder cette fiche à jour. Toute proposition est relue par notre équipe avant publication.
Festival-goer reviews
No rating yet — be the first!
No review yet. Be the first!
Were you there?
Share your experience with the community
Where does it take place — Fêtes de la Madeleine
Centre-ville, Arènes Paul Laurent et Champ de Foire
Arènes Paul Laurent, Beaucaire (30300), 30300 Beaucaire