BULLFIGHTING, “COURSE LANDAISE” AND BULL CULTURE IN THE GERS AND IN GASCONY

Gascony is the cradle of wild bull culture, corrida (bullfight), “course landaise” (ancient form of bullfighting that involves no bloodshed) and bullfighting in general. For many years, men brave face their fear of the bull, perform rituals, provoke the wild bulls and are challenged!  It is a popular entertainment. Men have also challenged bulls on horseback. 

 Bullfighter Statue in Vic-Fezensac 

MODERN BULLFIGHTING AND ITS VARIOUS FORMS 

Bull fighting is practiced under two different banners. Those where the bull is killed and those where it is not. 

In a corrida (bullfight), the bullfighter is on foot, with a bull which is less than 4 years old. The bull is killed by the bullfighter or, sometimes, spared at the end of the performance. 

The novilladas are bullfights with young bullfighters and young bulls under the age of 3. 

In a Portuguese bullfight, the bullfighter is dressed in 17th century style clothes, facing the bull on foot; the bull is executed outside the arena at the end of the show. 

The games where the bull is killed are controversial and there are clashes between pro-corridas and animal rights activists which make the bullfights more difficult to stage. 

  The arenas in Vic-Fezensac 

The “Courses Landaises” (Landaise bullfighting) is an alternative which is accepted by the majority of bullfighting enthusiasts. It is a sport, which highlights the beauty, precision and audacity of the bull and the bullfighter. He has to avoid the animal or jump over it. It can look very impressive. The courses landaises are accompanied by music played by a traditional orchestra called bandas. 

The “Course Camarguaise”, less common in the Gers, is a game that involves taking pompons or roundels tied to the bull’s horns. 

Other games such as the “intervachettes” (hide and seek with the bull, release of bulls in towns...), exist in the small villages all year. Their aim is to entertain and they are appreciated by locals and tourists alike. 

THE ARENAS OF THE GERS 

In the Gers, mainly in Armagnac and around Auch, there are more than 20 arenas, of different sizes, devoted to bullfighting. 

The course landaise is famous in the town of Nogaro. There are arenas in Eauze, Plaisance-du-Gers, Vic-Fezensac... 

 Arenas in Eauze 

• Find out more: Check our Fairs and Events itinerary or visit the site of the Fédération de Course Landaise for all the appropriate dates. 

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