Construction of arenas 4e quart XIXe siècle (≈ 1987)
Initial installation of wooden theatres.
18 janvier 1993
Registration for Historic Monuments
Registration for Historic Monuments 18 janvier 1993 (≈ 1993)
Protection for ethnological and cultural interest.
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui Aujourd'hui (≈ 2025)
Position de référence.
Heritage classified
Ground of the plan located between the gate of the Moulins and the gallery of the Galions; barriers delimiting the track; toril (cd. E 806): registration by decree of 18 January 1993
Key figures
Frédéric Saumade - Ethnologist and researcher
Studyed the Camargua arenas.
Origin and history
The theatres of the Plan des Théâtres, located in Aigues-Mortes in the Gard, were built in the late 19th century to host Camargua races. They replaced Place Saint-Louis, where these events took place before. Each year, on the occasion of the votive festival in early October, decorated wooden theatres were installed by local winemakers, creating a unique tradition of ephemeral stands.
In 1993, these arenas were included in the additional inventory of Historic Monuments for their ethnological and cultural interest. Their protection covers not only material structures, such as stands and toril, but also space itself, reflecting an innovative approach to the preservation of intangible heritage. The site, with its 104 rectangular theatres and octagonal track, can accommodate more than 600 spectators.
According to Frédéric Saumade's study, these arenas are part of a set of Tauromachi sites selected for their cultural value in Camargue and Bas-Languedoc. Their registration has been an official recognition of local traditions related to bovin, integrating both material elements (such as barriers and soil) and associated social practices.
