Mas des Arenes

[click the photos to enlarge]

This was the name of our holiday resort. A "Mas" is a Provençal country cottage. This designation you will find often for rural inns or hotels. In fact, our "mas" was directly next the arena, the bullfighting arena. Therefore the name.

Now, our holiday resort:

The swimming pool was the centre
of the resort

It is a colony of holiday homes grouped around a big swimming pool. A sufficient parking lot is directly in front of the reception. It is protected by a security code. Friendly young ladies speaking French and English (but not German!) manage the daily business.

Bullfighting à la Camargue

That we had not expected. Almost immediately next to us was the bullring. A poster announced a bullfight on 31 May.
Of course we were there. The entrance costs 5 euros. The cashier was easily too be overlooked, a small opening in the outside wall. It was beautiful summer weather. Full of anticipation we entered the arena and looked for a shady place. We were surprised that so many seats remained vacant. The word "jeune" (young) probably explains the character of the struggle that we got to see. Each bullfight -also ours- begins with the Carmen overture,sounding tinnily from the loud speakers.