I took my
visiting English cousin to Sommières on Sunday as the town was having a
'fête'. It was not clear at all from the leaflet what exactly was
planned for 11h00
but we set off nevertheless to find out. As we turned up, a vintage
Caravelle sports car was approaching us down the road, followed by three
equally old tractors, then a couple of majestic workhorses pulling
carts but it was really what followed afterwards that impressed us.
This was a most impressive parade. 
After the vehicles were people
dressed in the most wonderful period outfits - some were dressed for
picking and sorting the lavender; others were ready to go for a swim
circa 1910; there were ladies in long gowns and gentlemen in dresscoats;
plus of course peasant men and women with their sheep and goats; and so
on, until a flock of sheep brought up the rear. 
We
both commented that this would never happen in England. The effort on
behalf of the participants was admirable and it was an absolute pleasure
to see them so proud of their inheritance and traditions.
After the parade, there were two abrivados and finally, 20-30 horses were escorted through the village.
Bravo Sommières for an excellent parade!
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