Office de Tourisme
     

Traditions & Festivities

Saint-Gilles is greatly attached to its region with its emblematic Camargue cross and bull traditions.


Saint-Gilles is greatly concerned with keeping its traditions alive and the whole town lives following the pace of its “abrivado”, its “feria” and its famous bull games. But the town also has its originality by carrying on the Provençal tradition of the “pastrage” at Christmas. Enjoy some unique experiences in Saint-
Gilles and be part of the true Camargue spirit!

Manade Jean-Marie Bilhau
Manade Espelly Blanc
Manade Aubanel
Manade Saliérène
Manade Martini
Manade Jean-Elie Agnel
Ganaderia du Scamandre

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A bit of Camargue vocabulary
Abrivado
The “gardians” surround a herd of bulls on horseback and lead them from the pastures to the town centre arena for the afternoon bull games.

Bandido
The “gardians” lead the bulls back to the pastures at the end of the afternoon after the bull games.

Encierro
Running of the bulls through the streets.

Ferrade
It is the branding of young bulls with the symbol of the “manade”.

Raseteur
Name given to the man dressed in white who challenges the bull during the “bull races”. His aim is to grab the cockade ribbon between the bull horns.

Tienta
It refers to the cow that fights during a non-lethal bullfight; it is a way to select the most suitable cows for breeding fighting bulls.