Manade Raynaud

Horses and bulls have been part of the Raynaud family’s life for over a century. Expertise in driving wild herds of animals has been passed down from generation to generation, ensuring that age-old techniques remain embedded in today's practice.

Frédéric and his daughters Aurélie and Aude now run the manade, respecting the old ways while adapting their herd to the way society and Camargue bullfighting (course camargaise) has evolved over the years. It's not easy to breed and raise a bull to attain top billing in the bullfights. The Raynaud Manade has already bred two prize-winning bulls. The winners of two Biou d’Or trophies with Régisseur in 1957 and Ratis (now retired) in 2013.

For more than fifty years, the ranch has stood on the legendary sites of the Grand Radeau and the Sauvage, on the shores of the Mediterranean. 300 Camargue cattle and fifteen horses graze along the shoreline in an area covering 1,000 hectares.

Alongside the gardians, you’ll get to grips with the difficulties but also the sheer enjoyment of rounding up a herd in the midst of a wilderness, the absolute beauty of driving the herd through a peaceful and silent landscape, the dexterity required to sort the herd, where observation and the horse-rider relationship are paramount.

Frédéric, Aurélie and Aude will accompany and guide you as you discover and experience the essence of their profession.

Manade Kreninger

Lucien Kreninger is quite a character. As he says himself, he is passionate about his work. He is Camargue born and bred and immersed in its traditions. Traditions that forge a particular culture, tight-knit relationships and a common history that is shared and evolves down the generations.

People like Lucien, who belong to the Gitan (gypsy) community and the nacioun gardiano (an association of herdsmen that upholds local traditions), understand only too well that passion comes from welcoming, respecting and helping one another. His parents came to the Camargue in 1957, installed their caravan and possessions next to the Porte de la Reine in the ramparts on the east side of town, and never left. His older brother was born in 1958. Eight years later, Lucien was born in the old house behind the abattoir that became the family home.

The ‘carrack children’ as the other children in the town used to call them, had to work harder than all the others to fit in and integrate the values of a region that was new to them. They became famous as herdsmen. Today their family history is the story of living legends. Lucien’s daughter is known as one of the most audacious riders on the Camargue ranches.

Lucien is ready to share with you the Camargue and its living, breathing traditions on his adopted land. It is a unique and special experience for you as well as for him, he tells us. Of that you can be sure.