buying tickets for humane bull fight in Arles during busy easter weekend

What constitutes a "humane bullfight"?

Nikki: Okay, once on the French website, paste the webpage URL here at Google Translate, select French and voila, it should give you a readable translation into English. (this works for most foreign language websites) Then, by visually comparing the English translation with the French website, you can probably figure out how to buy a ticket online (if it's possible to buy online with an American credit card).Adynata: I think Nikki is referring to the Provencal bullgame, in which a ribbon is laced between the bull's horns and the razeteur has 15 minutes to remove the ribbon. The bulls die of old age, they aren't killed or injured. It sometimes looks like they enjoy the challenge, but I haven't personally interviewed the bulls to see what they really think. At least they don't end up being served for dinner in Arles restaurants, like the bulls that are the victims of the Spanish style corridas which occur in Arle during Easter and the fall rice harvest festival.

You have rocked our world, Kent. So simple, but we did not think that a site translator was so easy. I am just waiting for my confirmation email so I can purchase the tickets. Thank you thank you thank you.
Thanks for the info on the bulls. Hopefully, they don't mind the exercise!

Nikki: Glad to be of assistance, the Google Translator is pretty slick. One gets the feeling the bulls in the Provencal bullgames are just happy not to be served for dinner in Arles restaurants. Some of the bulls strut their stuff. In the bullgame, if the bull makes a good move, the band serenades the bull with the Toreador song from Carmen, and the following day the papers report how many Carmens the bull earned.

Kent: So really it's more like bull taunting than bull fighting?

I once saw a bull get pardoned (in other words, allowed to walk away from the ring off to a life of theoretical leisure). The music and the ovation were incredible.

Adynata: Yes, you could say bull taunting. In opinion polls, the bulls report they'd rather be left alone to eat and mate out in the Camargue fields--but if given the choice between the Spanish-style bullfight and the Provencal bullgame, the bulls vote 100% to 0% for the bullgame. And a few of them appear to enjoy the chance to butt a little human posterior in the bullgame.

Hope this message doesn't show up twice as the first rendition went off into never-never land and I don't see it here... so, here goes (again)! We are in Arles May 31, June 1-2, 2011. We want very much to attend a bull "event" ---we hope it can be the "game" rather than the "fight"....but we may not have too much choice... The Arles Arena emailed their "games" would not start until July. Darn...that would have been perfect. The Nimes Arena emailed the link to the bullfighters' association website. The website has no schedules posted yet (not 'til April I think it says...) but this snippet was in their "press." I used Google to translate and it did a fair job...but I'm a little confused about what kind of bull "event" this is....kill or non-kill?? Here's what it says (would appreciate if anyone can educate me! in particular, what exactly does "la temporada nimoise" mean....I "think" maybe this is a lead-up event to the Feria of Pentecost bullfighting events??) Help! (and MANY thanks!) Please feel free to send personal message if you would prefer. Cheryl PENTECOTE FERIA AND OTHER - posted on 16/03/2011 Feria of Pentecost cartels will be formalized Thursday, April 7. Feria starts on Wednesday, June 8 and ends on Monday, June 13. But previously, Thursday 2 June, Ascension Thursday opening of la temporada nimoise. To program a bullfight. Bullfight out of subscription.
Another date to remember: Sunday June 5, carmargue race.