Sète Jousting Tournament

During the Saint Louis festival, you will admire, from the stands alongside Royal Canal quay, an oustanding water jousting tournament.

For the winner of the heavyweight tournament on the Monday of the festival, the prize is no less than immortality...

Since 1666, the winner's name is engraved for posterity on a shield, in the jousting room of the Paul Valéry museum...
More than a sport, much more than simple folklore or tradition, jousting reflects the very soul Sète's inhabitants!
Water jousting is a Languedoc tradition dating from the eighteenth century : the first jousting competitions took place in several Languedoc villages : in 1601 in Agde, then in 1627 in Frontignan, and in 1665 in Mèze.

In Sète, the first water jousting tournament took place the 29th July 1666, in order to celebrate the foundation of the port which was deeply linked to the digging of the Canal du Midi.

In the eighteenth century jousting tournaments opposed young bachelors in a blue boat to married men, in a red boat. Their pole, shield and uniform are decorated accordingly. Jousters belonged to various districts.

Today, jousting is still a strong and lively traditional activity.