Uzes is enjoying the 5-day Fete Votive, filled with bulls, horses, and brass bands. The parade down the main street of town, however, was straight out of a  H.G. Wells novel.

Giant praying mantis leads the parade

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

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

Flying acrobat

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

Float “engineers”

Giant bees walked the streets

Cars and people were dwarfed by the spectacle.

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

Here is a small sample of the live event. (Perhaps the horses and riders should have not be scheduled to follow?)

Microcosmos the movie

The float was inspired by the French movie “Microcosmos”, a Cannes Film Festival winner in 1996. The documentary, by Claude Nuridsany and Marie Pérennou and produced by Jacques Perrin, was an up-close view of the interactions between insects in the real world.

For a view of Fete Votive in other parts of France, check out this blog: GingerandNutmeg.com