The Béziers Feria is in full swing. Launched on Wednesday, the 2026 edition is set to bring the city to life for five days, until Sunday, August 16, with bodegas, music, shows, public gatherings, and bullfights. As every year, hundreds of thousands of visitors are expected in the streets of Béziers. To open the festivities, Robert Ménard delivered his traditional pregón (opening address) to a large crowd. The mayor of Béziers devoted much of his speech to the Feria, the identity of his city, and the Mediterranean culture he champions. But he also took the opportunity to make numerous political statements, particularly concerning women, feminists, and foreigners subject to deportation orders.
"The Mediterranean is us."
Robert Ménard began by presenting the Feria as much more than a simple popular festival. For the mayor, the event is directly linked to Béziers' identity and its connection to the South. "We are the Mediterranean," he declared to the audience. In his speech, Robert Ménard championed a city proud of its traditions and way of life. "Here, we are a strong people, a free people , " he stated.
The mayor also spoke of "love , " "beauty ," and "poetry ," but also of "resistance" and the refusal to see Béziers lose what distinguishes it from other cities. "We are what we are and we are committed to it, even if it bothers some ," he insisted.
"We will continue to love women."
Robert Ménard then devoted a particularly noteworthy section of his speech to women. The mayor asserted a specific vision of Mediterranean culture and the relationship between men and women, taking a swipe at certain feminists in the process : "Here, we will continue to love women, the female body, and the gaze of women," he declared, before targeting "cheap feminists . " This courageous statement followed his discourse on traditions and a local identity that he believes must be embraced, even when it provokes criticism.
A Feria inseparable from the traditions of Béziers
Bullfighting also plays a significant role in this vision of the Feria. Robert Ménard has already admitted to having "little taste" for bullfighting, while categorically refusing its removal from the event. For the mayor, the arenas and bullfights are part of Béziers' history and traditions. He summarized his position with a comparison: "A feria without bullfights is like a good dish without salt." For five days, the city lives to the rhythm of entertainment, concerts, bodegas, and bullfighting events. The Feria is one of Béziers' most important events each year and attracts an audience from well beyond the Hérault region.
"Those who are subject to OQTF orders are sent back home."
After discussing the Feria, the Mediterranean, and traditions, Robert Ménard gave his speech a much more directly political dimension by addressing immigration. The mayor mentioned weddings celebrated in Béziers and foreigners subject to deportation orders: "Here, we marry people who are legally residing in France, and those with deportation orders are sent back home." This statement directly references the legal case in which the mayor of Béziers has been involved since 2023.
As a reminder, in July 2023, Robert Ménard refused to officiate the marriage of a French woman and an Algerian national subject to a deportation order. The mayor publicly stood by his decision, arguing that it was contradictory for the state to order someone to leave France while simultaneously requiring a civil registrar to perform their marriage ceremony. The union was ultimately officiated by a deputy mayor. Robert Ménard's refusal, however, led to legal proceedings. A real scandal! The mayor is due to appear before the Montpellier court on September 30th. Just weeks before this hearing, he has not backed down from his position and reaffirmed it publicly at the opening of the Feria. He was met with cheers from the crowd, who were more than ever won over by a mayor who is courageous and faithful to his convictions in all circumstances.
