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Fête Votive: The Psychedelic and Bizarre

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Deborah Bine

The Barefoot Blogger

Celebrate!

Fête Votive in Uzès means the streets are filled with bulls, horses, and brass bands. This year, the parade that started the 5-day celebration was straight out of an Orson Welles sci-fi movie. This has to be the best Uzès Fête Votive ever! 

Fête Votive in Uzès

An Insect-Inspired Extravaganza

The highlight of the Fête Votive parade in 2015 was an unforgettable float that seemed to have stepped right out of a science fiction film. A giant mechanical insect dominated the streets, capturing the imaginations of everyone who saw it. Musicians stationed on the insect’s sides added to the mystical sight and sound, creating a surreal atmosphere that was both eerie and fascinating.

 

Musicians stationed on the insect’s sides added to the mystical sight and sound.

Fête Votive in UzèsA Rainy AdventureAs the giant insect started down the street, a sudden downpour of rain added an unexpected twist to the parade. The rain, though initially a challenge, did little to dampen the spirits of the performers or the crowd. However, it did persuade one musician to abandon her post. Despite this, the flying acrobat and float “engineers” held onto their places, showcasing their dedication and adding to the drama of the scene.

 

As the giant insect started down the street, the downpour of rain helped persuade one musician to abandon her post.

Fête Votive in Uzès

 

Fête Votive in Uzès

Fête Votive in Uzès

The flying acrobat and float “engineers” held onto their places.

 

Float

 

Giant bees walked the streets

Bees and Giants: A Magical Sight

Adding to the fantastical theme, giant bees walked the streets, weaving through the crowd and interacting with spectators. The presence of these enormous insects, combined with the sci-fi float, created a truly strange and mysterious vision in this ancient village. Cars and people were dwarfed by the spectacle, enhancing the sense of being in a different world.

Giant bees walked the streets.

Cars and people were dwarfed by the spectacle.

A Blend of Antiquity and Fantasy

The 2015 Fête Votive parade in Uzès was a perfect blend of antiquity and fantasy. The ancient streets of the village provided a stunning backdrop to the modern, sci-fi-inspired floats and performances. This contrast between old and new made the event even more captivating and highlighted the organizers’ creativity.

Truly a strange and mysterious vision to see in this ancient village

Fête Votive in Uzès

Inspired by Microcosmos

The Fête Votive floats were inspired by the 1996 Cannes Film Festival winner French documentary Microcosmos. The film, directed by Claude Nuridsany and Marie Pérennou and produced by Jacques Perrin, was an up-close view of insect interactions in the real world. This inspiration was clear in the intricate details and lifelike movements of the parade’s insect-themed floats.

Microcosmos Brought to Life

Microcosmos captured the hidden world of insects, revealing their daily lives and interactions in stunning detail. The Fête Votive parade took these elements and magnified them, creating larger-than-life representations of these tiny creatures. The mechanical insect float, with its realistic movements and elaborate design, was a direct nod to the film’s groundbreaking visuals.

Fête Votive in Uzès

Here is a small sample of the live event.

 

Microcosmos the movie

 

Plan Your Visit To Uzès

Experiencing the Fête Votive parade for the first time was an unforgettable adventure. If you’re planning a trip to France in the summer, make sure to add this incredible event to your itinerary. The magic, excitement, and sense of community will leave you with memories to cherish for a lifetime.

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