The Camargue is the wild west of France, home to the black bull, tended by rough and tumble cowboys who ride the famous white Camargue horses. Instead of bullfighting there is something like bull chasing.
-
- Successful bulls are celebrated, more like thoroughbred horses. They are not killed in the chase.
-
- The bull’s job is to chase away the cowboys. The cowboy’s job is to snatch the ribbon off the neck of the bull.
-
- The cowboys chasing the bull are dressed in white, with a scoop on their right hand to grab the ribbon.
-
- Lovely women dressed in historical costume will hand out the prize to the winner.
-
- Proud citizens of Camargue, standing for the national anthem.
-
- We also took in some street “running of the bulls”.
-
- Camargue horses, wearing hoof protectors, lead the bulls down the street.
-
- People were amazingly nonchalant about having a herd of horses and a bull running towards them. This guy is crazy!
-
- Local cowboys in training try to grab the bull and wrestle it to the ground.
-
- A thrilling contact sport – we definitely saw some injuries, but not to the bull. His horns are taped to prevent goring.
-
- A typical house in the Camargue. Thatched roof, and few windows due to the wind. Almost all houses in this devoutly Catholic area have a cross on top.
-
- We took in a nice long horseback ride along the beach.
-
- Not a western saddle – there was no horn in the front.
-
- I’d say this cowboy is pretty comfortable with his horse.
-
- Some bulls scheming for the next chase!
Leave A Comment