Want to enjoy the unique atmosphere of the popular South-West holiday? Here are the best ferias to do in New Aquitaine!
Originally, a feria is a traditional taurine festival of Spain , Portugal Latin America and the South of France. Depending on countries and regions, events at parties may vary. In the case of the ferias of New Aquitaine, cowards of bulls in the streets and races of landese cows in the arenas come to animate the summer.
In the South West of France, annual ferias are unmistakable dates and a good opportunity to celebrate. These local festivals are an integral part of Basque and Landes culture. Bars called bodegas , take place at every corner of the street. We sing and dance at the rhythm of the music played by bandas (fanfares). And above all, we enjoy ourselves in a very festive and friendly atmosphere, until the end of the night.
Are you planning to set the course on the South West for your next vacation? Summer as winter, the region has memorable parties. So, get your red or blue scarf, and then find our selection of the best ferias to do in New Aquitaine.
1. Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Arènes de Saint-Vincent de Tyrosse – Photo credit: Facebook – Cercle Taurin Tyrosse
Summer ferias in New Aquitaine are the most popular and popular. They are held between the beginning of July and the end of August in several cities in the region. Some festayres (persons participating in ferias) would not miss these summer meetings for nothing in the world!
French summer festivals usually start around mid-July, as in the commune of Saint-Vincent-de-Tyrosse, in the Landes. Moreover, the feria de Saint-Vincent-de-Tyrosse takes place in the pure tradition of the Landes feasts. Red and white are therefore in the spotlight! These are four days of holiday, punctuated with animations, bandas concerts and parades that await you. The gourmets enjoy the special menus of the local restaurants or participate in the great picnic of the city. The party in the street continues until very late in the night, even until the early morning for the most motivated.
Are you travelling with children? A day is entirely dedicated to them so that they can learn about feria in New Aquitaine and its traditions, while having fun!
2. Mont-de-Marsan (Fêtes de la Madeleine)
Foulard des fêtes de la Madeleine – Photo credit: Wikipedia – Jibi44
The third week of July, the holidays continued in New Aquitaine in Mont-de-Marsan. The ferias of Mont-de-Marsan are also called the Fêtes de la Madeleine, as Marie-Madeleine, the patron saint of the city. The delivery of the city’s keys to youth by the mayor on the perron of the city hotel marks the beginning of the festivities.
For five days, hundreds of thousands of people dressed in white and blue land in the streets of the city. The ferias of the south-west of France are usually associated with the red color, as in Spain, but in Mont-de-Marsan, the colours of the city prevail.
On the programme of these festive days? Concerts, exhibitions, parades, taurin and folkloric shows, animations (petanque, races, balls...) and meals to share! With playful activities for young and old, the Fêtes de la Madeleine has a reputation as a family.
3. Bayonne
Photo credit: Shutterstock – Delpixel
How do we evoke feria in New Aquitaine without referring to the must-see Bayonne Festivals? If Dax honours his reputation, Bayonne is simply the largest feria in France. Almost a million and a half people dress in white and red every year to participate in the Bayonne Festivals. The means of transport are then multiplied during this period to facilitate the movement of participants.
Every year, at the end of July, King Leon, the mascot, receives the keys of the city in front of a public ringing the Pena baïona . That’s what announces the opening of the parties. It follows five days of madness during which the bayonnaise alleys and the edges of the Nive are animated night and day.
Pelot, cow races, bandas, dance balls... The basco-gasconne tradition is represented in all its forms. Thanks to the many animations, for all, at the fair, the fanfares and the fireworks, the atmosphere is at its height. Discover the magic of ferias in the capital of the French Basque Country!
4. Subtons
Char scrolling during flowery cavalcades – Photo credit: Facebook – Comite Des Fetes De Soustons
At the beginning of August, it is the turn of the Landes commune of Soustons to organize its festivals. In Soustons, as in Mont-de-Marsan, the rigour is white with a blue scarf.
Smaller but equally friendly, the feria de Soustons has nothing to envy to those of its neighbors. We find, among other things, a public ball, the famous bandas fanfares, bodegas and street stands where order to drink and eat. The delights open with the annual braderie of merchants and craftsmen of the city, and end in the arenas. Les fêtes locales de Soustons have lots of surprises!
5. Dax
Photo credit: Instagram – workshopland
Dax feria, in the Landes , is certainly the most animated of New Aquitaine. It must be said that she is one of the most famous ferias in the Hexagon. These patronal parties are usually held around August 15. In Dax, we're keeping his white clothes, but we're getting his blue scarf for a red one.
During these intense five days, the spa city becomes the theatre of musical events (short bandas, concerts...), sport and folkloric. But Dax’s Feria word is probably the party! Up to 800,000 participants walk around, day and night, in the city on all the parties.
Shuttles and campsites are set up to accommodate them in the best conditions. The inhabitants mix with the many visitors who have come to enjoy the exceptional atmosphere of Dax’s feria, which is open to as many. If you like to party and are looking for the best ferias to do in New Aquitaine, don't miss this appointment!
6. Parentis-en-Born
Photo credit: Facebook – City of Parentis-en-Born
The feria of Sen Bertomiu in Parentis-en-Born does not derogate from the traditional festivities of the region. The multiple bandas and bodegas , taurine shows and cavalcades fleuries So, these five days and five nights of celebrations. All generations find themselves to spend a good time in red and white. Familial, accessible and popular, Parentis-en-Born's summer festival will seduce you especially for its singularity. Live music is honoured throughout the feria!
Are you wondering what ferias to do in New Aquitaine? Don’t miss Parentis-en-Born, which takes place in August!
7. Winter ferias
Photo credit: Facebook – Peña Festayre
Less known and more recent, winter ferias have been organized since 2018 by an association wishing to prolong festivities in the region. These new gatherings take place in the major cities of New Aquitaine. Similar to festivals, these big local festivals host these cities during the months of January, February and March.
For the occasion, bars, restaurants and discotheques in the cities of La Rochelle, Limoges, Royan and Bordeaux open their doors to welcome the winter ferias. The dress code, white outfit and red scarf, does not change. For three days, these emblematic cities of New Aquitaine vibrate at the rhythm of the songs of the songs of festayres winter.
Animations, concerts, contest games and DJ Sets are on the agenda of these cultural events to please young people, as well as young people. Did you know the summer ferias? Let yourself be tempted by the winter ferias and the conviviality of these new street festivals!
So, what feria in New Aquitaine would you like to participate?
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