Rivesaltes

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We wanted a break from the tourists on the coast today so we instead turned inland. Not far, just another 16kms along the same voie vert we were on yesterday

Great cycling but nothing exciting to see. We stopped here to have group video chat with my brother and sister in New Zealand
We cross a low level bridge into Rivesaltes. I had booked an hotel in the old part of town. It looked good and had aircon so we were looking forward to a read and a decent sleep
We were just wandering through the narrow streets and commenting on the lovely old buildings when we realised that this was home ! Or would be at 4pm. There was a lot of loud music coming from up the street so went up to investigate

IT WAS THE FÊTE DU BABAU

Talk about lucky! Cancelled for 2 years due to covid it was back on bigger and better than ever ( so they said ) and on the very day we arrived. Serendipity!

The legend is that in the Middle Ages a dragon tormented the villagers until one day they managed to slay it ( google will tell you more ) So for hundreds of years they have had this festival day. We watched the amazing parade passing through the square. We found out later that this town has 4 major squares and each one had something on

Geese in a parade? The dog bought them over to a tap and their minder hosed them down
Children’s medieval games. They got used ALL day
Jousting
The ends of their lances were soft wood but it was still pretty full on and probably dangerous
Then they’d leap off their horses and sword fight

All around the Festival there were bands playing

This group of Amazons played medieval music
But my favourite group were from Brittany and they played amazing Celtic music. There’s another band on tonight followed by a fireworks display to finish off the Fête but I guess I’ll hear them clearly enough from our room .

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Published by Wallis Don

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