Photos from les Fêtes d’Orthez

The red bandana is de rigueur for “fetards”, including the canine variety.

The city festival for Orthez has come and gone for another year, and with its ending, it feels like the summer has reached its height. Everyone runs a little amok, then gets back to the business of life.  Ortheziennes are starting to talk about the upcoming return to work and school.  Here are a few photos that give a flavor of the events.

“Toquey si gaouses”,the unofficial motto of Orthez, pops up everywhere during the Fetes. Translated roughly as “Touch here if you dare”, the motto was a challenge from 14th century Count of Foix and Béarn Gaston Febus, to his enemies.
Music is a big part of the celebration, both at concerts and with street performances.

 

Saturday lunch at Chez Cabaillou, is a time honored tradition of the Fetes  d’Orthez.  We had been warned that lunch was served “late”, after along apéro hour, so we arrived about 1:30pm.  The crowd of revelers filled the interior and courtyard of the restaurant and spilled out into the street.  Singing group Los de Broussez animated the room with Chant Béarnais, traditional songs performed in the Béarnais dialect.  Lunch didnt start until almost 4pm, we finally headed home around 6pm.

The crowd and stage near the église Saint-Pierre

Whew!  After Thursday and Friday nights and a very long lunch on Saturday, we were exhausted!  We passed on Sunday events…there is always next year!

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