Welcome to " Le coq du nord"
Chambres d'hôtes, Mailhac, Minervois, France

© Iain SINCLAIR, Mailhac,  juin 2007                                                                                                                                       Le coq du nord RCS Narbonne,  SIRET 453949786 00017  TVA FR22453949786

Sea-water jousting (Joutes Nautiques)

These jousts take place in the summer - mainly in August - at Sète, Agde, and Palavas. They are exactly what the name suggests, medieval style jousts, but with the jousters on board substantial rowing boats, each manned by ten oarsmen dressed in white. They attract large crowds. The jousters, dressed all in white right down to their shoes, stand on raised platforms at the bow, equipped with 10 foot (3m) long lances and shields. A direct hit will propel the unlucky jouster up into air before he falls into the water. The winner is the one left standing! The boats themselves are red and blue and fly red and blue flags respectively.

To add to the carnival atmosphere the crews sing old jousting songs, accompanied by on-board bands, as the boats speed towards each other. Music is such an intrinsic part of this fiesta!

Regional Events:

Balaruc les Bains - First week-end July (Light boats)
                            15 August (Medium boats)

Sete - Grand finale - end August during the fête de la Saint-Louis

Languedoc Roussillon Wine Tours - Minervois Wine Tours - Kayaking - Wind surfing - Sailing - Scuba Diving - Walking - Climbing - Caving