The Landes Émotions Show in Parentis, a Great First Introduction for Families
For a first introduction, we recommend heading to the covered arena of Parentis-en-Born, just 6 minutes from L’Arbre d’Or.
The Landes Émotions show runs for around 110 minutes of Landes traditions: écarts, saults, stilt-walkers and brass bands, with no bull ever killed. This format reassures newcomers and children alike.
Good to know: the covered arena guarantees the show goes on even in the rain. Arènes Roland Portalier, in Parentis-en-Born. Performances on several evenings in July and August. Wheelchair accessible.
The Feria de la Sen Bertomiu and the Mimizan Arena, Pure Tradition
Would you rather feel the raw emotion of a village festival? Ferias give the course landaise a much more festive atmosphere.
Mark your calendar for Friday 7 to Tuesday 11 August 2026 at the Feria de la Sen Bertomiu, which sets Parentis alight for 5 days!
The programme mixes courses landaises, recortes and croque-vache, all without any bloodshed.
Our guide to holidays in Parentis-en-Born lists the season’s highlights.
Practical info: the feria takes place in early August at the Parentis arena, over 5 days. The Mimizan arena, on Avenue Maurice Martin, is about a thirty-minute drive away. Plenty of free entertainment. Come dressed in white and red.
Écart, Saut and Cordier, the Rules of Course Landaise
The course landaise is built around two moves, the écart (sidestep) and the saut (leap), performed in front of a cow known as the coursière. It is listed on France’s national inventory of intangible cultural heritage. Three main performers share the arena:
- The écarteur dodges the cow at the very last moment, recognisable by his embroidered bolero.
- The sauteur leaps over the animal as it charges, dressed all in white.
- The cordier holds the rope that guides the animal’s run.
Practical info: a course landaise lasts 2 hours and features around ten cows facing a cuadrilla. No animal is ever killed: here, in the Landes, it’s skill and composure that take centre stage.
Images generated by AI
Sources:
- Ministère de la Culture, inventory record for intangible cultural heritage, the course landaise (écart, saut, duration, listing): https://www.culture.gouv.fr/Media/Thematiques/Patrimoine-culturel-immateriel/Files/Fiches-inventaire-du-PCI/la-course-landaise.pdf
- Landes Émotions, the show (covered arena in Parentis, duration, prices, Mimizan arena): https://landes-emotions.fr/le-spectacle/
- Comité Départemental du Tourisme des Landes, course landaise calendar: https://www.tourismelandes.com/preparer-mon-sejour/agenda/course-landaise-toroball/
- Town of Parentis-en-Born, course landaise and Feria de la Sen Bertomiu calendar: https://www.parentis.com/Mairie-de-Parentis-en-Born/Votre-ville/Toute-l-actualite/Agenda/Course-Landaise
