Description
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 show, the Arles raseteurs school and the gardian games. The riders and their mounts compete in daring and dexterity throughout the afternoon.
