Do you know the Grau du Roi and Languedoc jousts?
Take advantage of your stay in the Petite Camargue to discover the regional sport of jousting!
Languedoc jousting: an emblematic sport of southern France
Languedoc jousting is an emblematic sport of southern France. It’s an ancient tradition involving a friendly confrontation between two players, called “jouteurs”. They then compete on flat-bottomed boats.
Jousters wear helmets and chain mail to protect themselves from blows. They must succeed in knocking their opponent into the water using a wooden spear called a “tintaine”. Languedoc jousting is very popular in the towns of Languedoc-Roussillon, particularly in Sète. They take center stage at the Saint Louis festival.
This sport is a symbol of the cultural identity of the South of France and continues to attract many enthusiasts every year. Spectators and participants alike proudly perpetuate this age-old tradition.
Languedoc jousting and ancestral traditions
Languedoc jousting is a tradition that has endured for centuries. This sport has been practiced since the Middle Ages in the south of France, particularly in the Languedoc region. Jousting has accompanied the history of this region, in line with conflicts, festivals and social changes.
Today, they are still practiced with passion and pride.
This sporting practice has also evolved over the centuries. Not least thanks to the use of modern materials for boats and spears, while preserving traditional gestures, rituals and values.
Languedoc jousting thus represents a unique cultural and sporting heritage, to be preserved and passed on to future generations.
Jousting tournaments in the Camargue all summer long!
During the summer season, jousting tournaments in the Camargue are a must for enthusiasts of this sport. Every year, numerous tournaments are organized in the towns and villages of the Camargue. As in Grau du Roi, Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer and Aigues-Mortes.
These tournaments bring together players from all over the region and beyond, to compete in a festive, friendly atmosphere. Jousting schools usually compete in tournaments. Jousting in the Camargue has its own specificities, with tintaines wider than those used in other regions. Throwers stand on stilts and teams of rowers propel the boats.
Jousting tournaments in the Camargue are a unique opportunity to discover this tradition. Enjoy moments of sharing with family and friends!
They mainly take place from July 14 to August 15, and during the local festival in September each year.
From your campsite in the Camargue: activities to discover!
Les Jardins de Tivoli, your campsite in Le Grau du Roi, offers a wide range of activities for the whole family.
First of all, you can take advantage of the beach, directly accessible from the campsite, for moments of relaxation and family swimming.
For the more sporty, there are water sports activities at the Port Camargue marina. Try your hand at windsurfing, kitesurfing, kayaking or sea fishing. The campsite also organizes pétanque and table tennis tournaments. Children can also enjoy the playgrounds and activities organized by the kids’ club, as well as the aquatic area.
Nature lovers, discover the treasures of the Camargue. Take a horseback or bike ride through the verdant pine forest and discover unique, unspoilt landscapes. History and culture buffs can visit the region’s historic sites, such as the fortified town of Aigues-Mortes, located between Nîmes and Montpellier. Or the famous Nîmes arena.
In short, the Camargue offers a multitude of activities for unforgettable vacations with family or friends.
