“Le Poulain”, the totemic animal of Pézenas,

“Le Poulain”, the totemic animal of Pézenas, was honoured recently at a festival in Barcelona.

The totemic animal and symbol of the town of Pézenas, was acknowledged as “décerné aux Amis du Poulain dans le cadre des festivitas bestiarum” 

Each year, Le Poulain festival takes place in Pezenas at the start of Lent ( late February or early March). The festival features a parade led by the local totem-animal from Pezenas: Le Poulain. 

Le Poulain is a mock horse constructed of a cloth head draped over a wooden frame. It is pushed through the streets of Pezenas in a grand procession. 

The history of Le Poulain festival dates back to 1226 when a foal was born to the favourite mare of King Louis VIII. 

The Le Poulain festival kicks off a three-day Mardi-Gras festival in Pezenas, which is one of the highlights of the Languedoc festival calendar.