Bull Fighting in Arles Arena

Spanish bullfighting appeared in France in 1701. The restoration of the Arlesien arena in 1825 allowed for the organization of the “free running” or “Camargue running”. The first bullfight in the arena took place in 1830. It is a bloody pastime, with matadors taunting and agitating the animals as bullfighting assistants gouge the bulls with lances and bull hooks. Over the course of the fight, the bull is weakened to the point until it can no longer defend itself, after which the matador stabs it to death with a sword.

credit: MaverixSnow