Looking back at Les Rois Mages in Perpignan

This  parade through the streets on horse and camel back, represents the kings, Gaspard, Melchior and Balthazar, who followed the star of Bethlehem to bring Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh to the baby Jesus.

Exotic dancers, jugglers, fire eaters, a variety of animals….and satsumas and hot chocolate for the kids

The kings collect letters from children, containing their wishes (remise des vœux) for loved ones, which will be read out at the magnificent Campo Santo, accompanied by the bells of the carillon, amidst an oasis of palms, light and interesting animals and characters.

The procession also contains ‘gégants‘, enormous painted papier-maché figures, sometimes 14 or 15 ft tall, with traditional clothing and a person inside. They usually appear in couples, often as king and queen, or some important person in the history of the town and differ from commune to commune, each town having its own ‘gégants’