FRENCH JOURNEY - PROGRAMME 1

CAMARGUE  - BULL FARM

Just to the east of Montpellier lies the delta region of the Camargue, one of France’s most fascinating nature reserves and most famously associated with the white horses that roam the marshes in semi wild herds. David went to discover what else the Camargue is famous for.

David:  Hello!

Family:  It's arrival time!  Come here and sit next to us.

This farm belongs to Jean Lafon and his daughter Iris.

David:  Mr Lafon, what type of farm is this?

Jean Lafon:   It's a farm, but in the Camargue region,the Languedoc, it's called amas.  On amas, we farm - but here, in particular, we breed Camargue bulls.  It's a bull which is bred for the Camargue games and for festivals.

David:   What do I do? 

Iris Lafon:  Put your foot in the stirrup.  

David:  I've done it.

Iris Lafon:    And hoist yourself up with the other leg.  

Iris Lafon:  …to turn….

David:  What I really want to know is how to stop.  So let's start with the brakes.

Iris Lafon:  To stop, tap like this near the saddle.  To go forwards, you dig your heels in.

Man:  Come on Iris, let's go..

Iris Lafon:  OK, to go forward, use your heels.  

It was time to meet the bulls.

David:  I can't see any bulls. Where are they?

Jean Lafon:  At the far end of the marsh.  With the horses, we'll bring them into the enclosure to sort them out for the wedding this evening.  Shall we gallop there?

David:  We'll try

Jean Lafon:  OK, let's go!

Camargais weddings are a colourful affair. David was even asked to be part of the wedding cortege. He’s the one in the yellow shirt, by the way.

Jean Lafon:  Everyone here knows what branding is?  Branding is the way we mark our animals.  For this herd it's a stylised iris in an oval.

And then it was on to the main ring where the guardians set out to impress the wedding guests with a display of their horses’ agility and stamina. In this game Iris has to keep hold of the bridal bouquet as she is chased around the ring by all the other horsemen.

								Copyright BBC 2000