JoutesLanguedociennes

Since the 17th century, the coast of Languedoc has hosted nautical jousts, the first having taken place in 1605 in Agde. In Sète, the first Sète jousting tournament was organized on the occasion of the inauguration of the city's port in 1666.
This type of jousting is practiced in eight towns in Hérault, Béziers, Agde, Marseillan, Mèze, Balaruc, Frontignan, Sète, Palavas and in a town in Gard, Le Grau-du-Roi.
Before 1920, the bulwarks, shields used by the jousters were even larger by about 20 cm and heavier than today.
A few generations ago, young people trained with wheeled carts before embarking on fishing boats. Today, jousting is more serious business than ever with the creation of schools of jousters.
Since 1941, there has been a French championship in this discipline, as well as a French Cup, since 1962 in four weight and age categories: Heavy, Medium, Seniors and Juniors.
From mid-June to early September, Sète therefore hosts its games, tournaments preceded by oboe and drum
A first pass of honor opens the tournament, the jousters presenting their spears and shaking hands when the boats pass each other. Then the two men, perched on the tintaine of the boats, their chests protected by the bulwark, try to make themselves fall into the water when the boats pass each other, with a wooden spear with a steel end.
All “set to music” by brass bands.