Fêtes de Peyrehorade

The Fêtes de Peyrehorade: Celebration at the Confluence of the Gaves

The Fêtes de Peyrehorade are the major annual festive event in Peyrehorade, a town of over 3,500 inhabitants located at the confluence of the Gaves de Pau and d'Oloron, in the Pays d'Orthe, in the south of the Landes. A former viscountcy founded in the 13th century, Peyrehorade prospered thanks to its commercial activity and its river port, and today it perpetuates its festive traditions with energy and originality.

Green and White, the Colors of Peyrehorade

Peyrehorade distinguishes itself from other Landes férias by its choice of festive colors: green and white. This chromatic singularity gives the festivals a unique and recognizable visual identity, different from the red and white that dominates in the férias of the Southwest.

Highlights of the Festivities

The program for the Fêtes de Peyrehorade unfolds over four days with original highlights:

• The key ceremony on Friday evening, handed over to the 20th-anniversary class, officially launches the festivities
• The Foulées du Cœur, a popular race through the town
• The zip line over the Gaves, a spectacular attraction offering a flight over the confluence
• The Comico Taurin Show in the bullring, a humorous and family-friendly bullfighting spectacle
• The formal Landes race on Sunday in the bullring, showcasing the 'écarteurs' (bull dodgers) and 'sauteurs' (jumpers)
• The grand parade on Saturday evening, a procession of decorated floats through the streets
• Open-air cinema on Sunday evening, against the church
• The laser game at the fronton, open from 10 am to 11 pm
• The musical firework display on Monday evening, beautifully concluding the festivities

The Bands of Peyrehorade

The Fêtes de Peyrehorade are enlivened by two emblematic bands: Los Gatchos and Los Bombanceros. These musical groups create the festive atmosphere that characterizes the festivals, parading through the streets and squares of the town from morning to night, drawing revelers into an atmosphere of joy and conviviality.

A Unique River Setting

Peyrehorade's location at the confluence of the Gaves gives the festivals a unique character. The zip line over the Gaves is the most spectacular illustration of this relationship between the town and its rivers. The medieval setting of the town, with its old streets and half-timbered houses, provides a picturesque backdrop for the festivities.

The Pays d'Orthe Celebrates

The Fêtes de Peyrehorade are part of the festive tradition of the Pays d'Orthe, a region in the Landes located between Dax and Bayonne, known for its gastronomy (Adour kiwi, Gaves salmon), its historical heritage, and its living traditions. It is also the capital of the winter 'marché au gras' (fat market), famous throughout the Southwest.