Arena by the sea

Yesterday, we learned that a bull fight was scheduled in the nearby town of Saintes Maries de la Mer for today.  And we went.  The bulls were all raised locally, in the Camargue (a large marshy area that is part of the Rhone delta).  Amateur fighters try to pluck items that have been placed on the head of the bulls.  The bulls are not harmed, and no fighters were harmed.

The virtually empty arena, before the fight, with the sea behind

My favorite Camargue bull

This fighter was the tallest and most nimble, and could easily jump the fence

Another fighter

Both fighters jumped the fence and went high, the bull followed

This bull jumped the fence at least 6 times, most often at this place

He was quite content behind the fence

 But the fight must go on, so he was coaxed back into the arena