Féria time!, Aug 15

The time is upon us when Béziers shuts down for a long weekend – the wheels of commerce and industry grind to a halt, businesses and shops close and from the outer limits of the town centre, barricades turn Béziers into a pedestrianised area.

Béziers is noted for its rugby and wine, but probably mostly for the five days and four nights full of fun during the annual Féria that takes place in mid August. This year it will be held on 13th to 17th inclusive, when partying takes place from dawn till dusk – well actually dawn till the following dawn. Féria aficionados come from far and wide and Béziers attracts more then 1,000,000 visitors with cash points apparently used to draw out the staggering sum of 77 million euros!

It’s true, you either love it or hate, but the fact is it is very much part of the culture here and as a minimum one has to accept it. A tradition for centuries, gleaned from the close proximity to Spain and Mediterranean, Hispanic and Occitan influences, the best advice is don’t try and beat ‘em, just join ‘em. If you really can’t bear the spectacle of the bull fights, or Corridas as they are called here, you don’t have to go. You can still glean all of the excitement, admire the culture and soak up the atmosphere on the roads of Béziers after the arena empties. The roads, closed to cars, become one long bar with the opportunity to buy alcoholic beverages and food along their entire length from the bodegas – often accompanied by loud music and crowds enjoying themselves. The larger bodegas are to be found around the Arena, the most notably one is The Arena Cup, further are El Dos and Manol. Another bodega to visit is in the courtyard of the Hotel du Lac not far from the Allée Paul Riquet in the rue 4 Septembre. There is so much to do and see you will find that you want to be in two places at once. There is the enchanting horse show, the Spanish flamenco dancers, concerts, processions of floats and bands and much, much more. The Féria offers many different types of entertainment, to suit all ages. There is always something going on, and most of it is free. More details can be found at http://www.toobeziers.com/feria/2008/villages.htm.

The bullfights themselves are somewhat of a religion. Much pomp and ceremony takes place during a bullfight, far too long and complicated to regale you with here, but it is basically a test of courage, strength and skill between a bull and a matador, or torero. Here they have the status of famous footballers – they have women swooning at their feet, fame, respect and above all fortune; not to mention those natty little costumes they wear and those very, very tight trousers …

The matador must read the bull and anticipate his actions. His job is, admittedly to stay alive, but most importantly to entertain the crowd. Depending on his prowess (and the applause in the arena), the dignitary of the day may award an ear, or two ears, or on those rare occasions two ears and a tail as a mark of his performance. You can find a brief explanation (in French) about the different types of Corrida at http://www.touradour.com/towns/bullfr.htm.

Love it or loathe it, bullfighting is enduringly popular in the south of France, particularly in the Languedoc. However, the opportunity to wander the streets of Béziers at night in a perpetual party-atmosphere is not to be missed.

More information can be found at http://www.arenes-de-beziers.com/feria-2008/ind….

You can contact Annelise Bosshard at AB Real Estate on 04 67 36 36 80
www.AB-Real-Estate.com

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