The men step between slim planks of wood about a foot wide, laid across a corral holding three large Camargue bulls, idolized in the region due to their importance in traditional bullfighting and bull games<\/a>. The men take turns carrying large double braided ropes through the slats, leaning their bodies back in order to apply the weight needed to lead the hefty animals beneath. They explain they are trying to attach a label to the ears of the bulls as a way to recognize bulls of their herd before the main event; they will run the bulls through the region on horseback, a well known and popular tradition in the Camargue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Since the 16th century, the Camargue has been at the roots of established traditions in the region. With 360 square miles of sprawling farm land, its primary economic function, up until about 50 years ago, was as pasture for white Camargue horses, and breeding grounds and caring for bulls for the purpose of bullfighting and bull games. Now, the jobs of the Camargue\u2019s inhabitants have changed\u2013 in addition to herding bulls, they are also herding tourists. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The Camargue is Western Europe\u2019s largest river delta. In it lie 150 manades<\/em> or ranches, dedicated to the raising and care of Camargue bulls and horses. The Camargue has often been called the \u201cwild west of France,\u201d with the manadiers<\/em> its ranchers and the gardians<\/em> its cowboys. <\/p>\n\n\n\n When the Camargue traditions started, these modern-day heroes were no more than agricultural laborers, and many of the inhabitants of the Camargue lived in poverty. It wasn\u2019t until the late 19th century that nobleman Marquis de Baroncelli<\/a>, infatuated with the Camargue’s beautiful scenery and inspired by the gardians<\/em>‘ dedication to the land, swore to elevate these men, and promote them as protectors of the land. This status remains intact today \u2013 but many aspects of these traditions have changed. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Throughout history, and up until about 50 years ago, gardians<\/em> lived in the Camargue in traditional cabanes de<\/em><\/a> gardian<\/em><\/a>, small whitewashed homes made from materials often found in the Camargue \u2013 walls made from mud and stone, roofs made from reeds and sewn together with iron-weaved thread, and topped with limestone at the point. The homes are very small, with only one room and an open air fireplace for warmth and a small living space. Now, these homes are almost all renovated or built new, and listed as vacation rentals<\/a> and Airbnbs<\/a>, for upwards of $200\/night in peak tourism season. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The biggest building on any manade<\/em> would have housed the manadier<\/em> and his family in the 19th century, and would be made of stone. Now, they primarily serve as reception areas or small hotels for tourists, who visit the Camargue to see the legendary black bulls and white horses, and learn about the origins of bull games and bull fighting. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Due to this popularity, the job descriptions have changed for the gardians<\/em> and manadiers. <\/em>They often give informational tours of the manade<\/em> to tourists, and manadier<\/em>s also become hotel managers, balancing tourist bookings with the traditional practice of raising and caring for the vital heart of the manade<\/em>\u2013the actual livestock.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/projects.ieimedia.com\/2023arles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Zollingerproject3-812x1024.jpg\")
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