![\"Manade](\"https:\/\/nanoo.travel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/DSC02272-scaled.jpg\")
<\/a>A manade in a nutshell<\/h2>\n\nBull breeding<\/h3>\n\n
A manade is a typical Camargue farm<\/strong>. More specifically, a manade is a farm whereCamargue bulls<\/strong> are bred. <\/p>\n\n Living in semi-liberty in vast marshy areas, the Camargue bull is the only European breed of cattle still considered wild<\/strong>. Contact with humans is kept to a minimum: health checks, branding of calves (the ferrade), sorting of cattle, grouping of herds for sale. <\/p>\n\n In addition to bulls, some manades also breed Camargue horses<\/strong>, whose primary function is to work the cattle<\/strong>. Renowned for its adaptability to marshy terrain, the Camargue horse’s liveliness and maneuverability make it the ideal companion for gardians and manadiers<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n Whether owner or operator, the manadier is the person in charge of the manade<\/strong>. His role is to oversee all activities linked to the management of the manade, from animal husbandry to ecosystem preservation, animal care, pasture management and the organization of tourist activities. <\/p>\n\n In addition to managing the manade, the manadier is also involved in preserving the traditions and heritage of the Carmargue<\/strong>. It plays a key role in passing on the knowledge and skills needed to raise animals and perpetuate cultural traditions such as Camargue racing.<\/p>\n\n The manadier works closely with the gardians. <\/p>\n\n A gardian<\/strong> is a term specific to the Camargue region. It designates a herdsman<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n While the manadier is the manager of the farm and the livestock, the main role of a gardian is to look after the animals’ well-being and guide them through the pastures<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n To move efficiently through marshy areas and manage their herds in complete safety, the gardians use Camargue horses<\/strong> to herd, sort and move the animals according to the needs of the farm.<\/p>\n\n The gardian’s job is tough and not very lucrative. To survive, they often have to combine animal husbandry, agriculture and tourism.<\/strong> Despite the technical modernization of the trade, traditions are scrupulously perpetuated, in particular the Gardian way of riding.<\/p>\n\n The gardian and, above all, the manadier are mainly passed down from father to son<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n Today, there are many more so-called amateur gardians than professional ones. They come to lend a hand to the manadiers in busier periods. <\/p>\n\n Deeply rooted in traditional Camargue culture, the gardians perpetuate the methods and skills handed down from generation to generation<\/strong>. Their tasks include:<\/p>\n\n Proud of their role in preserving local culture, the gardians take an active part in events and festivities that enable them to demonstrate their skills, including Camargue races and equestrian activities specific to the region.<\/p>\n\n Every May 1st, the day of Saint-Georges (patron saint of the Confr\u00e9rie des Gardians), the F\u00eate des Gardians<\/strong> brings together numerous gardians and manadiers in Arles. Dressed in traditional costumes, they cross the town before gathering in the arena for a grand equestrian show.<\/p>\n\n The bulls raised in the manades are mainly used in Camargue races, which take place in arenas, public squares or in the streets. <\/p>\n\n Camargue racing is a traditional sport<\/strong> in which the participants (raseteurs) have to catch attributes attached to the front of the bull, known as the “cocardier” or bi\u00f2u<\/em>. Unlike bullfighting, there’s no question of putting the bull to death<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n Founded in 1904, the Raynaud manade<\/a> is based at Le Grand Radeau<\/strong>, near Les Saintes-Maries-de-la-mer. <\/p>\n\n The Raynaud family has been breeding Ra\u00e7o di Biou bulls<\/strong> for 6 generations. Two of their bulls have won the coveted Biou d’Or trophy (best bull in the Camargue): R\u00e9gisseur in 1957 and Ratis in 2013. <\/p>\n\n With 250 cattle on nearly 1000 hectares, it’s the oldest bull farm in the Camargue<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n In 1875, Th\u00e9ophile Papinaud<\/strong> bought Camargue bulls to start a breeding operation. After a few disappointing cross-breeding experiments with Spanish animals, he devoted himself to the search for pure Camargue blood. His son, Gustave Papinaud<\/strong>, succeeded him in 1896 and continued his selection work. <\/p>\n\n When he died in 1904, Mathieu Raynaud<\/strong>, his bayle (trusted man), acquired the manade in accordance with his wishes. In the years that followed, he continued to mix the herd to further refine its breed purity.<\/p>\n\n In 1922, his son Joseph<\/strong> took over. Then came the turn of his two sons, Casimir and Jacques<\/strong>, in 1945. The manade moved to Le Grand Radeau<\/strong>, between Le Sauvage (on the right bank of the Petit Rh\u00f4ne) and the sea. In 1951, the manade was launched in Beaucaire under the name Raynaud Fr\u00e8res.<\/p>\n\n After Casimir’s death in 1959, his sons Marcel and Jean inherited their father’s livestock, while Jacques kept his shares.<\/p>\n\n In 1985, Marcel’s son Fr\u00e9d\u00e9ric <\/strong>bought his uncle’s animals to keep the herd together, while his daughters Aur\u00e9lie and Aude<\/strong> bought Marcel and Jean’s animals in 2016. Today, as manadiers, the two sisters have managed to carve out a place for themselves in a world that is still very much male-dominated. <\/p>\n\n A visit to a manade means experiencing the traditions of Camargue bull breeding up close, while discovering the passion and authenticity of the local culture.<\/p>\n\n The manade Raynaud opens the gates of its stud farm during traditional Camargue days<\/strong>, providing an opportunity to learn more about the gardian’s trade<\/strong>, discover the estate<\/strong> and watch a demonstration of their work with the horses<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n We arrive at the manade mid-afternoon. Just enough time to say hello to Aur\u00e9lie, one of Fr\u00e9d\u00e9ric’s two daughters, and we’re in the trailer to discover a (very small) part of the estate. <\/p>\n\n The herd comes up behind us. In perfect synchronization with their horses, the gardians lead the herd with calm authority.<\/p>\n\n Knowing every nook and cranny of the landscape, the gardians move with ease through the manade’s vast pastures. Their confident, fluid gestures suggest that they are guiding the herd with no apparent effort.<\/p>\n\n The trailer stops to give us a chance to watch the gardians leading the herd towards us. Once the animals are assembled, the gardians form a circle around the herd, keeping a safe distance to avoid stressing the animals. <\/p>\n\n It’s time to get back on track for a sorting demonstration<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n<\/a><\/a>The manadier<\/h3>\n\n
<\/a>The gardians<\/h3>\n\n
<\/a>The gardian’s work<\/h4>\n\n
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<\/a>Camargue races<\/h3>\n\n
<\/a>Manade Raynaud<\/h2>\n\n
<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\nHistory of the manade Raynaud<\/h3>\n\n
<\/a>Visit the gardians<\/h3>\n\n
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