The Camargue Bull race
today
A high-intensity traditional sport, an authentic and unique spectacle in the world, where « Raseteurs », high-level athletes, challenge Camargue breed bulls in the arenas of Southern France.
The Raseteurs must, in fast races with the bull, remove attributes fixed to the base of the bull’s horns. These attributes are attached before the race by the manadiers and the gardians.
An individual sport performed in a group, it is administered by the French Federation of the Camargue Bull Race, recognized by the French State and approved by the Ministry of Sports since 1975.
HISTORY
OF THE CAMARGUE BULL RACE
The origin of bull games in Southern France dates back to 1402 in Arles.
In the 1890s, bull breeders called Manadiers became aware of the uniqueness of the Camargue bull
breed.
Due to its morphology and combativeness, it was more suited to becoming a sports participant in bull
games rather than being used for field work or meat production.
At the beginning of the 20th century, in small wooden arenas built in the centers of villages, bulls and
young amateur men, who began to be called « raseteurs, » faced off.
Attributes were then attached to the base of the bull’s horns, and rewards were given to those who
managed to remove them: this marked the beginning of the Camargue Bull Race.
THE MAIN CHARACTERS
THE CAMARGUE BULLS
They belong to an authentic breed called “Race di Biou” and are selected from the pastures of the Manade each morning of the Camargue Bull Race. They are transported by truck to the arenas and return to their pasture at the end of each race.
THE RASETEURS
Athletes who challenge Camargue bulls with bare horns (unprotected horns) in
the arenas. Their objective, in fast races with the bull (The Raset), is to remove the attributes fixed to the base of the bull’s horns using a small metal comb called a Crochet.
They wear white pants and a white T-shirt, with their last name written in black on the back of the T-shirt.
THE GARDIAN
This person is responsible for the surveillance and care of the bulls and cows of the Manade and accompanies the bulls during the Camargue Bull Races.
THE TOURNEURS
Former raseteurs over 35 years old who participate in the Camargue Bull Race in
the arena with the mission of assisting the raseteurs by calling and holding the bull’s attention, allowing the raseteurs to perform their raset under the best conditions and with the greatest efficiency.
They wear white pants and a white T-shirt, with their last name written in red.
THE RACE PRESIDENT
An official who directs the race. Using a microphone, he hosts the event by awarding points for the attributes that need to be removed by the raseteurs. He increases the points based on the difficulty and value of each bull. He is also the official referee who ensures compliance with the sports regulations set by the French Federation of the Camargue Bull Race
THE MANADIER
This is the owner of the Camargue bull breeding operation called a Manade.
HOW A
CAMARGUE BULL RACE WORKS
4. After the one-minute reconnaissance, the Race President triggers the second trumpet sound, and the raseteurs then enter the arena, accompanied by the tourneurs.
The tourneurs attract the bull’s attention to position it well, preparing for a favorable race for their
raseteur. This is the moment for raset preparation.
Once the right position is found, the raseteur begins his race with the bull. At the moment of encountering the bull and using his crochet, the raseteur tries to remove an attribute. He earns
rewards and points that will be counted in the rankings of various official competitions.
5. After attempting to remove the attribute from the base of the bull’s horn, the raseteur runs towards the barriers to jump over them and get to safety. A very aggressive bull will pursue him to the barriers or even beyond, jumping after the raseteur to try to catch him
(this is known as « coup de barrière » or « jump after the man »).
6. Remarkable actions of the bull during its 15 minutes in the arena, as well as at the end of its performance, can be rewarded by the Race President with the music of Bizet’s Carmen.
7. At the end of the 15 minutes in the arena, or earlier if all the attributes have been removed, a third trumpet sound indicates the bull’s return to the toril
THE DIFFERENT CATEGORIES
OF CAMARGUE BULL RACES
The Camargue Bull racing season begins in March and ends in November. The main categories of Camargue bull races are as follows:
● Royal Race: A race with the 6 best bulls from the same manade.
● Manades Competition: A race that brings together several manades.
● New Bulls Race: A race that allows 3-year-old bulls to participate in their first race.
● Young Bulls Race: A race for bulls under 8 years old.
● Cocardière Cows Race: A race with only cows.
● League Race: A race with bulls and cows up to 6 years old dedicated to trainee raseteurs from the Federal League Pole.
● Raseteurs School Race: A race with bulls and cows with protected horns to allow young trainee raseteurs to train.
The major Camargue
Bull racing competitions
● Trophée des As or Elite French Championship: This rewards the Elite raseteur who has accumulated the most points over
the season in AS category races. The best bull of the season is designated as “Biou d’Or”.
● Trophée de l’Avenir or Hopeful French Championship: This rewards the Hopeful raseteur, aged 25 years or younger, who
has accumulated the most points over the season in Avenir category races.
● Trophée Honneur or Honour French Championship: This rewards the raseteur over 25 years old, not selected in the Elite,
who has accumulated the most points over the season in Honour category races.
● La Cocarde d’Or in Arles: Held on the first Monday of July
GLOSSARY
– Raseteurs: Men (or women) in white, with their last name in black on their back. They train at raseteur schools (learning the gestures, the technique of the raset, and respecting traditions).
– Tourneurs: Men (or women) in white, with their last name in red on their back. They assist the raseteur by calling the bull to position it in the best way to « facilitate » the raset. They do not have a crochet.
– Bulls (or cocardier) and cows: They are transported by truck on the morning of the race and will return to their pasture at the end of the race.
– Race President: Located at the presidency, he ensures that the rules are followed and announces the rewards.
– Manade: A place for breeding Camargue bulls and horses.
– Manadier: The owner of the manade.
– Gardian: For labor code purposes, they are considered agricultural workers. Practically, they are the guardians of a manade.
THE ATTRIBUTES
1/ Cocarde : A small red fabric ribbon.
2/ Glands : There are two, one on each horn, consisting of a black elastic with a white wool pompom.
3/ Ficelles : Placed on each horn with 6-8 turns. They have maximum value for the raseteur, both financially and in terms of competition points.
