The festival of the bear

The tale of the bear is immortalised by the people of Prats des Mollo in the Pyrénées-Orientales, in their annual Day of the Bear.

La fête de l'Ours

A curious medieval legend tells of a shepherdess carried off by a bear which had tried unsuccessfully to win her by his charm. Some woodcutters working nearby heard the girl's screams and rescued her.

The tale is immortalised by the people of Prats des Mollo in the Pyrénées-Orientales, in their annual Day of the Bear.

This takes place at the end of February and marks the end of winter. In the early afternoon, a group of especially strong, agile young people are chosen to play the role of the bears. The others take the role of rescuers. Armed with cudgels, they chase the bears to the village. For several hours, the creatures run wild - growling and terrorising their pursuers and onlookers.

The festival culminates with the appearance of the 'white bears', dressed in shirts and covered in flour, who capture the wild bears and bring them under control. Beaten, the bears submit to being sheared. Finally, the 'bal de corre' - a wild dance - brings the day to a close.

The festival takes place on the Sunday before or after Candlemas. It's an occasion that stirs memories among the older residents of the very real fear of bears in the Catalan mountains.

Prats de Mollo la Preste Tourist Office (in French)
Tél. : 33 (0)4 68 39 70 83