Walls in France: Fete!

During the summer, local friends had mentioned that Eygalieres had a "fete" (or festival) during the first part of August. They said that it took place over the course of about a week and there was lots of drinking and celebrating...it sounded fun. When our friends, the Dupres, said that they were leaving town during the fete because it was noisy, we guessed that it must be a boisterous affair that they had experienced before and could do without this year. Little did we know how crazy things were really going to be!

Each morning, there were bulls running through the streets, being chased by guardians (cowboys) on horseback with a brass band blaring in the background. The Wall family went to witness the running of the bulls through Eygalieres on the first morning of the fete, and the majority of the male population of the town was already drunk on Pastis! The bars in town had built additional outside structures in order to serve the partying revellers who gathered in the streets. And the bars really never closed down the entire week! Hundreds of tables were set up on the main drag (after the bulls had finished their show!) and people spent the day there, eating and drinking and being very, very merry. Music blasted from a stage that had been set up in the middle of town and various bands and singers performed - constantly! Carnival rides and games had been set up in the field outside of the school so we headed there a couple of times, leaving wads of cash in our wake. There were also huge game trucks parked right outside on Place Marcel Bonein with flashing lights and bells and whistles and tacky prizes to boot!

Day one was fun and exciting, but we soon grew tired of the noise, trash and smell of Pastis. We really enjoyed a few events during the week...The opportunity to witness the running of the bulls up close was amazing and Bucky made sure to capture it on film; The promenade of the townspeople in traditional garb one night mid-week was also really cool; Plus, the fireworks show on the last night of the fete was absolutely spectacular and was a wonderful way to end a wild week. The fete was definitely an experience and we made some memories, but we will avoid Eygalieres at all costs at the same time next year and for every August henceforth!