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Pastrage (Shepherds’ Festival)
The Pastrage is a tradition related to the Midnight Mass. In the olden times, villagers used to bring their offerings to church: the fruit of the earth, of the sea, farm animals, etc. This ritual varied from one village to another. The fruit offering itself survived only as part of the offering of the lamb, in a rustic ceremony of shepherds and shepherdesses.
The first written reference to the Pastrage ceremony as practiced in Saint-Martin-de-Crau was in a text dating back to 1665. It described the offerings and the presentation of a lamb, brought in a small cart pulled by a "flouca", a sheep with tufts of fleece still on its back.
The blessing followed by distribution of "navettes", were related to Candlemas traditions, when navette biscuits were distributed as a token of prosperity. These little boat-shaped cakes represent the boat coming from the distant coasts of Judea, which arrived at the shores of Camargue with the Saints that brought the Gospel to Provence.
At Saint Martin de Crau, after being blessed during the celebration, the "navettes" are distributed outside the church as a symbol of sharing, friendliness and brotherhood.
Usually, the ceremony of Pastrage begins in Church with the blessing of the lamb by the priest, followed by a Mass that is interspersed with Provençal poems and songs. Mass is followed by the traditional distribution of navettes. Finally, the master shepherds with their lambs join in a procession to the town hall. Camargue cowboys and folk groups follow them.
Throughout the following morning, in the church square, the sheep and donkeys of Provence create a lively setting to the delight of young and old alike.
Additional informations 
Throughout the year, the "Actualités" section (in French only) offers full information on upcoming events (programmes, timetables, venues, etc).
