Nimes is a medium - sized city in Southern France, The annual Feria de Nimes takes place here. The Feria de Nimes is one of the largest festivals in France and draws a lot of European visitors. If you visit during this festival, you may forget you’re in France and believe instead that you’ve somehow walked to Spain as you eat paella, sip sangria, and observe bullfighters and flamenco dancers in the street.
From 20th to 25th May, Nîmes almost turns into the focal point of all of France! Over these few days, people who live in the region as well as all sorts of visitors from France and overseas converge here to enjoy the festivities and share in the traditions of the Gard.
Since it first took place from 30th May to 2nd June 1952, the Pentecost Feria in Nîmes has continued to provide a source of delight for its visitors and the local inhabitants, all of whom merge for the corridas, abrivados and bandidos taking place. Over a period of six days, people of all ages will find out about the region’s traditions as well as all sorts of culinary specialities.
The dates of this festival vary as it is celebrated 7 weeks after the Easter Sunday. It is almost a week long celebration that takes place and if you can visit Nimes around that time you must. In addition to the larger Feria de Pentecôte, another shorter festival, Feria des Vendages (Festival of the Harvest), also takes place for 3 days in September and includes many of the same events and festivities.
What happens during the Feria de Pentecôte?
During the 6 - day festival, there is a parade, bullfights, equestrian events, musical performances, flamenco dancing performances, holy masses, special activities for children, art displays, and spaces set up for bands and outdoor dancing. There are booths lining several streets selling everything from plastic bulls to flamenco costumes to horseback riding gear. In addition to normal festival food, food vendors sell bull - related specialties (including bull meat burgers and steaks) and a lot of Spanish cuisine such as paella and sangria
What is Pentecôte?
In Christianity, Pentecost is a holiday commemorating the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the apostles and other followers of Jesus Christ, It is celebrated in different ways with different meanings by a number of Christian denominations.
In addition to the Feria de Pentecôte and Feria des Vendages, the city hosts a number of other festivals and events throughout the year, such as the Roman Games, flamenco festival, bull games, and tons of music concerts.