Bullring of Les Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer, bullring in Les Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer (Bouches-du-Rhône, Camargue, France)

The bullring of Les Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer is a circular arena built in 1931 and reworked in 1985 by architect André Marchetti. Its low white wall curves around the track, with red capital letters spelling "ARENES" above a large red arched entrance flanked by two smaller red doors. A metal pole above the wall carries a cluster of floodlights.

The arena was inaugurated in 1931, but part of it collapsed that same year and it was rebuilt and reopened in 1932. In 1985 the architect André Marchetti remodelled it. Before any permanent structure existed, bull games were held on a "plan de Charrette", a makeshift track formed by villagers' carts; these plans are now listed in the cultural heritage inventory, as is the arena itself.

Three bull sports are staged here: the Camargue race, the Spanish corrida and the corrida de rejón, in a region where bullfighting has been rooted since the 16th century, and by some accounts since the 12th. The arena is run by former raseteur Thierry Ferrand, who also manages the Saumade manade with his partner Magali.

The arena sits near the town center with parking options close by and several restaurants within walking distance serving local dishes. It is best to check the event schedule ahead of time, as show times vary and planning helps you make the most of your visit.

Razeteurs, specialized performers, attempt to snatch colorful objects like red cockades and white tassels from the horns of wild bulls using a hook during Camargue races. This discipline differs fundamentally from classical bullfighting, as the focus rests on skill rather than harming the animal.