Fêtes de Tartas

The Fêtes de Tartas: Festival in the Heart of the Landes

Tartas, a sub-prefecture of 3,200 inhabitants located at the confluence of the Midouze in the heart of the Landes department, celebrates its local festival every second weekend in July. For four days, from Friday to Monday, this historic town founded in the Middle Ages transforms into the capital of celebration, welcoming thousands of festival-goers from all over the Pays Tarusate and beyond.

Landes Races and Bullfighting Spectacles

The Tartas arena hosts the bullfighting highlights of the festivities. On Friday evening, a Landes festival race kicks off the events in the arena, featuring heifers and jumpers facing Landes cows. On Sunday, a cocarde competition continues the taurine tradition, while toro ball (bull ball) shows add a fun touch accessible to all. The art of the Landes race, inscribed in the intangible cultural heritage, has been practiced with passion for generations.

The Musical Flower Parade: The Climax of the Festivities

The musical flower parade on Saturday evening is the most spectacular moment of the Fêtes de Tartas. This parade of floats beautifully decorated with flowers winds through the town's streets, accompanied by orchestras and musical groups that get the spectators dancing. Associations, age groups, and local businesses compete in creativity to present the most original and flower-filled floats, in an explosion of color and music.

The Foulées des Fêtes and Sporting Competitions

On Friday evening, the 18th Foulées des Fêtes launch the festivities with a 7 km foot race through the streets of Tartas, preceded by the Foulée des Pitchouns for children at 6 PM. On Saturday afternoon, the UFOLEP cycling race attracts cycling enthusiasts, while the Basque pelota final and pétanque competitions complete the sports offerings. Scooter races add a fun and popular touch.

The Harmonie Tarusate and Concerts

The Harmonie Tarusate, the town's historic musical ensemble, gives a concert on Saturday morning in the central square. The evenings are enlivened by free concerts and popular dances in the town squares. Bandas parade through the streets, while the estanquets (food stalls) offer food and musical ambiance until the early morning. The grand fireworks display on Sunday evening illuminates the sky above the Midouze.

Fair, Estanquets, and Conviviality

A grand fair takes place throughout the festival, with rides, attractions, and stalls for all ages. The estanquets, these typical open-air food stalls of the Landes festivals, offer grills, tapas, and local specialties in a friendly atmosphere. The line fishing competition on Saturday morning offers a moment of relaxation by the Midouze, while children's games and street entertainment punctuate the four days of celebration.