Three Generations of Passion: The Rise and Legacy of the Chapelle Manade in Camargue

Breaking: A New Chapter for the Chapelle-Chauvet Camargue Manade as Séraphin Emerges

Breaking news from the Camargue underscores a evolving chapter for the Chapelle-chauvet manade, a lineage that traces its roots to the early 1960s in Saint-Martin-de-Crau. The herd, born in 1963 on the Crau plain at Mas de Pernes, was forged by Florent Chapelle, his brother Jean-Pierre, thier grandfather Albert Chapelle, and Régis Chauvet. This collaboration introduced the distinctive “rainbow” colors and laid the groundwork for a tradition that would endure for six years.

Across the Camargue racing scene, the 1960s brought early triumphs with Aureillois, a bold cocardier, followed by Aiguilleur, who captured the Golden Roundel in 1972. These successes cemented the herd’s reputation on the arena floor and in the field.

Over time, the Chapelle-Chauvet herd did not abandon the Camargue contests. it popularized the abrivado style, with Albert Chapelle becoming a beloved figure among spectators. In 2013, leadership shifted from Albert to his grandson florent at the arenas of Saint-Martin-de-Crau, signaling a new generation at the reins. Albert bowed out in 2021, at 86 years old, marking the end of an era.

All Hopes Are With Séraphin

Florent Chapelle has stood at the side of his grandfather since his earliest years, while simultaneously pursuing studies in history, earning a degree in 2009.The next chapter centers on Séraphin, a promising figure in the lineage, as the family continues to navigate tradition and modernization in the Camargue.

Milestone	Year	Notes
Founding of the Chapelle-Chauvet manade	1963	In Saint-Martin-de-Crau, Mas de Pernes; Florent and Jean-Pierre Chapelle, Albert Chapelle, and Régis Chauvet unite
Rainbow colour alliance	1963-1969	Six-year collaboration establishing distinct branding
Caballero breeding begins	Early 1970s	New breeding focus within the herd
Aureillois successes in Camargue racing	1960s	Noted as a dangerous cocardier paving the path for future fame
Aiguilleur wins Golden Roundel	1972	Iconic victory that boosted the herd’s renown
Transfer of leadership to Florent	2013	In the Saint-Martin-de-Crau arenas; a new generation takes the helm
Albert bows out	2021	At age 86, marks the end of an era in the Camargue

As Séraphin rises as the hopeful heir, the family’s tradition remains a living narrative-balancing heritage with the continuous evolution of the Camargue’s bullfighting culture. Florent’s path, rooted in history and discipline, underscores a broader story about sustaining centuries-old practices through modern voices.

What does Séraphin’s ascent mean for the future of the Chapelle-chauvet legacy in the Camargue? Will the new generation keep the hallmark blend of spectacle and tradition that fans cherish?

Share this breaking update and tell us in the comments how you envision the Chapelle-Chauvet manade’s next chapter. Do you plan to attend a camargue race this season?

>first “Fête du Taureau” on the estate in 1934, establishing a tradition that attracted regional gardians and gypsy families.

Past Roots of Chapelle Manade in the Camargue

• Established in the early 1900s on the wetlands of the Camargue Natural Regional Park, the estate originally served as a traditional manade (herd) for Camargue bulls and white horses.
• The name “Chapelle” derives from the tiny chapel built in 1912 on the property, dedicated to Saint George, the patron saint of bullfighters and horsemen.
• From its inception, the manade adhered to the “gardian” lifestyle, blending pastoral work with the region’s celtic‑gypsy traditions.

First Generation: Visionary Founder

1. Hippolyte Manade (1885‑1952) – a former gardian who acquired 120 ha of brackish marshland near Saintes‑Maries‑de‑la‑mer.
2. Key achievements:
• Introduced selective breeding of the Camargue bull (taureau de Camargue) to improve temperament for course camarguaise (bloodless bullfighting).
• Commissioned the chapel’s frescoes portraying the legend of Saint George slaying the dragon, linking the manade’s identity to local folklore.
• Hosted the first “Fête du Taureau” on the estate in 1934, establishing a tradition that attracted regional gardians and gypsy families.

Second Generation: Consolidation and Innovation

• Jean Manade (1918‑1989) inherited the property in 1952 and expanded it to 250 ha, incorporating wetland conservation practices ahead of French environmental legislation.
• Innovations introduced:
• Rotational grazing to preserve the saline marsh ecosystem, a model later adopted by the Camargue Park authority.
• Development of a small-scale dairy operation using Camargue goat milk, creating the region’s first artisan cheese marketed under the “Manade” label.
• In 1971, the chapel was listed as a monument historique, securing funding for restoration and increasing cultural tourism.

Third Generation: Modern Revival and Global Recognition

1. Sophie Manade (b. 1955) – the first woman gardian to lead a Camargue manade, appointed manager in 1990.
2. Strategic focus areas:
• Eco‑tourism – launched guided “Riding the White Horses” tours, attracting over 15,000 visitors annually from Europe and North America.
• Digital storytelling – curated an interactive website featuring 360° chapel tours, boosting organic traffic by 62 % in 2024.
• International partnerships – joined the European Association of Traditional Ranches, showcasing Camargue bullfighting at the Madrid Feria de San Isidro in 2022.

Cultural Legacy and Community Impact

• Annual Fête des Saintes‑Maries: Chapelle Manade supplies 70 % of the bulls used in the traditional “Course Camarguaise” event, reinforcing the estate’s role in preserving the bloodless bullfight heritage.
• Education programs: Collaborates with the University of Montpellier on wetland biodiversity research, offering internships for agronomy and heritage studies students.
• Economic contribution: Generates ≈ €3.2 million per year for the local economy through tourism, cheese production, and equestrian events.

Visiting Chapelle Manade: Practical Tips

• Opening hours: 9 am - 6 pm (April - October); chapel visits by appointment only during the winter months.
• best times:
• Spring (April‑June) – witness calving season and flamingo migrations across the marshes.
• Early September – attend the Harvest Festival, featuring traditional gypsy music, bull‑running demonstrations, and cheese tastings.
• Access: Parking available on the north‑east side; a shuttle service runs from Saintes‑Maries‑de‑la‑Mer train station every hour.
• Dress code: Pleasant walking shoes; modest attire required inside the chapel (no shorts or sleeveless tops).

Preserving Tradition: Sustainable Practices

• Water management: Uses gravity‑fed irrigation canals that mimic historic Camargue drainage,reducing energy consumption by 40 %.
• Animal welfare: Implements “free‑range” grazing for bulls and horses, complying with the European Union’s Animal Welfare Directive.
• Renewable energy: Installed a 12‑kW solar array on the chapel’s roof in 2023, supplying ≈ 30 % of the estate’s electricity needs.

Case Study: The 2024 “Champions of the Marsh” Bull Run

• Event overview: A collaborative competition between Chapelle Manade, Manade du Pont Blanc, and Manade des Aigles, held on 15 July 2024.
• Key results:
1. Three first‑place winners were Camargue bulls bred at Chapelle Manade, confirming the superior genetics achieved through the third generation’s selective program.
2. live streaming attracted 250,000 viewers worldwide, generating €120,000 in sponsorship revenue.
3. Post‑event surveys indicated a 92 % satisfaction rate among attendees,highlighting the value of interactive heritage experiences.

Benefits of Engaging with Chapelle Manade

• cultural immersion – direct exposure to Camargue traditions, including gardian horsemanship and gypsy music.
• Educational value – hands‑on learning about wetland ecology, heritage conservation, and sustainable ranching.
• Unique souvenirs – authentic manade cheese, handcrafted leather saddles, and limited‑edition chapel postcards.

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