The 10 best ferias to do in Occitania

Are you looking to discover the traditional summer festivals typical of Midi de la France? Discover the best ferias in Occitanie!

A feria is a special cultural event. Typical of Spain , Portugal or Latin America, it is traditionally a taurine feast. And in France, especially in the Midi, we also have the chance to attend! In a respectful feria, we come to celebrate at the sound of the "bandas" small orchestras playing music. Des « bodegas » (bistros installed in the streets) commercialize tapas, sangrias and alcohols of all kinds. The most courageous participants come to prove their greediness during cowards of bulls, bullfights and land races or camarguaises. During ferias in Occitania, there are for all tastes! The Occitane region is particularly known for its unforgettable holidays. With family or friends, Wanderlix offers you its selection of the best ferias in Occitanie!

1. Feria d’Istres

Istres offers one of the best ferias to do in Occitania. It takes place mainly in the Palio arenas where you can attend spectacular corridas and in the city centre.

The most renowned toreros are invited to Istres for the greatest happiness of the curious. Istres knows how to open up to more modern festivities with the feria of Art, a derivative event including artistic exhibitions, music, dance and cinema. This year, the feria d’Istres ends on June 21... yes, for the festival of music! This date promises an unforgettable final and a joyous evening.

In a modest size, the Istres feria is ideal for a family outing. If you are on your way to the region in June, try to do a little trick: you will not regret it.

2. Feast of the Grau

Summer holidays have just ended. Morose atmosphere, sad mine and routine are back... But wait, the re-entry of classes also announces the Grau Festival, which takes place every year in the Grau-du-Roi! This small fishing village located in the Gard over the years has become a seaside resort and tourist of the foreground.

The commune organizes the classic activities of feria: sheltervado, bandido, bull races, nautical joutes and ball. Easily accessible, it has the advantage of being close to the beaches. So you can easily enjoy a good swim to get back from your exploits.

No doubt that she is one of the best ferias in France, because of the warm atmosphere that reigns there. Do not hesitate to go there, with family or friends, to relax and have fun!

3. Feria d’Uzès

The feria d’Uzès is a tourist must when you visit the department of Gard. Over the years it has become one of the best ferias to do in Occitania.

This feast, family and popular, is renowned for its festive and joyful side. We're here to witness spectacular Landes races, corridas and tank parades. Craftsmen from all over the region make an appointment to taste local specialties. These are offered at every corner of the street in the famous bodegas.

♪ encierros , cow cowards, are open to all in Uzès. The goal? Run faster than the cows launched at all times: you need a good trail to leave! Will you succeed?

4. Feria de la Crau

Saint-Martin-de-Crau is a high place of feria and we do not know enough. Since 1995, the party committee in charge of the organization of this major event has broken down to content the participants. Originally named Feria des Rameaux, it is now one of the best ferias to do in Occitanie. Particularly focused on tauromachic shows, many schools compete in the novilladas, corridas or various competitions.

For the rest of the festival-goers, encierros, joyous meals and dance evenings are on the programme. Particularly well organized, the Crau Festivals offer buses, shuttles, campings and city services. From what cheerfully feast to the end of the night and without taking your head!

5. Festivals of Saint Vincent in Collioure

Here is undoubtedly one of the best ferias to do in Occitania: welcome to Collioure ! The feasts of Saint Vincent gather almost 200,000 people over five days. However, the commune has only 2,600 inhabitants in normal times. Spectacular nautical joutes are organized in the middle of the sea as well as boat races and altitude divers. The festival-goers joyfully challenge between the typical attractions and tapas bars. They come to laugh, drink and dance at the sound of bandas in a totally unique atmosphere.

Previously organized around the tauromachie, the feasts of Saint Vincent offer a wider variety of activities. Indeed, the times change and the organizers understood it well!

6. Feria d’Arles

La feria d’ Arles is one of the best ferias to do in Occitania, there is no doubt. Moreover, the Arlesians appreciate the ferias they organize two each year! In the commune of Bouches-du-Rhône (the largest in France!) it was necessary to settle the festival-goers.

The first feria takes place at Easter and is especially dedicated to tauromachie. It is in the Roman amphitheatre of the city that these spectacular battles take place. Of course, sheltervado, encierro and fanfares parades are also on the program. Not to mention the Camarguas races: a must in this city considered the capital of the Camargue ! For three days, aficionados come to discover the unique cultural heritage of this city of southern France. Will you let yourself be tempted?

7. Feria de Nimes

La feria de Nimes is at the party what the whale is to the marine animals: a mastodon of the fiesta! Nîmes is the prefecture of the Gard and a Roman city historically attached to its customs and traditions. As in Arles, only a few dozen kilometres away, two ferias are organized each year. The one in Pentecost is certainly the most eccentric: tens of thousands of badauds are rushing there every year. Nîmes organizes her ferias as a carnival. The processions of cheerful foes slowly advance to the sound of the bandas by making the tour of the city!

Concerts, joutes on the canal, a mass in Provençal, parades and corridas are offered to festival-goers. Of course, they will enjoy the paellas and aperitifs offered in the countless bodegas punctuating the course!

8. Feria de Beziers

La feria de Beziers takes place every year in mid-August since the 1960s. The aficionados come to enjoy the bodegas and bandas that punctuate their wanderings in the city. La feria de Béziers attracts many Catalans deprived of corridas since their ban in Catalonia.

If it is one of the best ferias to do in Occitania, it is because it offers several types of activities. Camarguas racing enthusiasts, tauromachie enthusiasts, ferus of cultural heritage or family trip, whatever. You will enjoy one of the most intense traditional festivals in the country. And to recover from his emotions, what better than a succulent plate of tapas prepared with love?

9. Feria de Céret

It is the month of July that a week-end will be held every year, eagerly awaited by thousands of visitors. Here, the Catalan traditions are honoured for the greatest pleasure of the little and the great. They can admire the sheltervados, discover the sumptuous artisanal market or discover folk dances. It is by following the bandas that cross the alleys of Céret that they will be able to realize the beauty of this typical Catalan city. Two toros corridas and a novillada will be organized: on this occasion the best toreros will challenge.

The Feria de Céret, of modest size, is particularly suitable for a family visit. The simplest way to realize this is to show you!

10. Feria de Carcassone

Carcassone is several days of feria organized late August. The party beats it and the festival-goers go by whole bunches to the Carcassonne arenas to attend the most spectacular corridas. Once finished, head to the square André Chénier where the feria campo is located: it is the heart of this picturesque festival! There are clubs of associations, scenes of shows, free animations and tasty snacks.

For amateurs, traditional Spanish and Sevillanae dances will be presented by talented artists. Salsa, flamenco, tango and crazy fanfares: if you don’t know where to give head, no worries, it’s normal!

So, what do you expect to discover ferias in Occitania?