Every year, on May 1st, the gardians celebrate Saint Georges, the patron saint of horsemen.
Why not join the procession?
Join us at 9am on boulevard des Lices for a gathering of gardians and Arlésiennes in traditional costume.
Head to Place du Forum, in front of the statue of Provençal poet Frédéric Mistral, to pay tribute to him.
Continue on to Notre Dame de la Major, where mass is celebrated in Provençal, followed by the blessing of the horses on the church square.
At midday, the crowd invades the Place de la République to witness the arrival of the gardians and the presentation of blessed bread to the town authorities.
The day is far from over. At 3:30 p.m., the gardians and the public gather at the arena for a grand Provençal spectacle, the jeux de gardians. The riders and their mounts compete in daring and dexterity throughout the afternoon.
9:00 Gathering on Boulevard des Lices
9:30 Confrérie gardians parade through town in Place du Forum - Salute to Frédéric Mistral
10:30 am On the square in front of N.D. La Major
Blessing of the riders
High Mass in Provençal
11:30 am reorganization of the procession/ from La Major to Place de la République
12:30 Presentation of blessed bread to the authorities + aperitif (parvis de l'Hôtel de ville/salle des Pas Perdus)
3:30 pm Aux ARÈNES - GRAND SPECTACLE PROVENÇAL (paying)
presented by the Confrérie gardians
2 cocardier bulls (Manade Fabre-Mailhan) for students of the Arles bull-riding school
Presentation of the standard to the new captain: Armand Gourdoux
Prior: Nicolas Carta and Quentin Foucaran
AIGUILETTES TOURNAMENT
GARDIAN GAMES: BOUQUETS, ORANGES, SCARVES
Waiting at the shoe: Nicolas Carta and Quentin Foucaran
Ferrade in ring: Armand Gourdoux
ABRIVADO EN PISTE / ABRIVADO DES PICHOTS
