Courses camargueses

So, in more detail, the Camargue style bullfights are like team sports. There are two teams of 5 players each, led by the captain with the red shirt lettering. Each player, except for the captain, has a claw-like metal contraption that they hold in one hand. They use these claws to rake across the bull's horn, attempting to snag one of the strings/ribbons tied around each horn. I'm not sure about the scoring, but I imagine there are different points for different colored and placed ribbons.
The captains will draw the attention of the bulls and then, just as the bul turns to rush him, another team member will dash across from behind him and take a swipe at the strings. It's partly coordinated, partly mad dash. And the teams take turns goading the bull for attention. The team members are all VERY spry - having to leap over the wooden fence of the ring to escape a raging bull's horns. Sometimes, the bull will also leap over the fence, either in pursuit of the bullfighter or to escape the ring. In this case, it is prodded with a pole and taunted with white cloth to run around the ring to an entrance where it can once again participate.
It is hard to watch at times when the bull will charge the fence and scrape his underside as he tries to clear it. Also, as Eugene mentioned, the claws that the bullfighters use can draw blood if they miss the horns. Plus, the bullfighters themselves are constantly in danger of being gored, but I guess for them, it is a voluntary sport.
In any case, it was quite amazing to see. In the summer, the teams will play in round robin format every Wednesdy at 5pm until the finals around Aug/Sept. If you are in Arles, it is definitely worth it. Student tickets are €5 each. In these earlier rounds, there is not high attendance, so it's open seating and you can sit in the front row and have a great experience. Just be alert as the bulls and fighters will leap directly towards you just a few feet away!
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