In the coastal town of Agde, France, the intersection of athletic precision and centuries-old heritage reached a peak on Friday, May 1, 2026. The members of the Compagnie des Archers Agathois gathered at the pas de tir du Mont-Saint-Martin to conduct the annual tir à l’oiseau
, a symbolic competition used to proclaim the honorary kings and queens of the archery community for the coming year.
The 2026 edition proved to be a test of resilience as much as skill. Archers faced challenging conditions, specifically a relatively strong wind sweeping across the Mont-Saint-Martin shooting range, which complicated the trajectory of the arrows. Despite the gusts, the competitors successfully managed to abattre les oiseaux
(knock down the birds), the central requirement of the traditional trial.
The 2026 Proclamation: The Fresh Roys
The competition was divided across several bow categories, ensuring that the tradition of the Roy
was shared among different skill sets and age groups. The following archers were proclaimed the champions of the 2026 edition:
- Arc classique adulte: Phillipe Maillot
- Arc à poulie adulte: Eric Verrier
- Jeune: Jessy Verrier
- Arc nu: Bruno Benit
Following the conclusion of the shots, the event transitioned from a competitive arena to a social gathering. The archers celebrated their new titles and the spirit of the sport with a convivial barbecue, emphasizing the camaraderie that defines the local club.
Understanding the Tradition of the Roy
For those unfamiliar with the cultural landscape of French archery, the title of Roy
is more than a simple victory. It’s a purely honorific dignity with roots stretching back at least to the Renaissance. The process of becoming a Roy is strictly governed by tradition, where the title is granted to the first person to validly knock down the polystyrene bird positioned at the center of the target.
“Au sein de l’archerie traditionnelle, la royauté de l’arc est un titre purement honorifique, connu en France au moins depuis la Renaissance. La dignité de ‘Roy’ est attribuée ‘à celui qui abat l’oiseau dans la manière et dans les formes’ accoutumées le jour du ‘tir à l’oiseau’.” Fédération Française de tir à l’arc (FFTA)
While the role is now symbolic, the historical weight of the title is significant. In previous centuries, the Roy of a town’s archery company often enjoyed substantial tax privileges. Today, those privileges have shifted to matters of protocol and respect within the archery garden. The Roy holds precedence over all other archers and is permitted to shoot before them. No other archer may cross the allée du Roy
—the central path between the buttes beursault—without the Roy’s explicit authorization.
A Golden Era for Agde Archery
The success of the traditional proclamation comes at a time of high performance for the Compagnie des Archers Agathois. The club has recently seen significant success on the national stage, most notably with Anne Barbara Benard, who was crowned the 2026 French champion in the arc nu
(barebow) category.
This blend of high-level competitive achievement and the preservation of folklore demonstrates the club’s dual commitment to modern sporting excellence and the maintenance of regional identity. By integrating youth categories—such as the victory of Jessy Verrier—the club ensures that the protocols of the Renaissance remain relevant to a new generation of athletes.
The Compagnie des Archers Agathois continues to serve as a hub for both leisure and elite training in the Hérault department, offering programs for children as young as 8 years old and maintaining a rigorous schedule of indoor and outdoor training sessions.
The community now looks forward to the 2027 edition, where the current Roys will once again take their place at the front of the line, defending their honor until the next bird falls.
Do you practice traditional archery or participate in local cultural sporting events? Share your experiences in the comments below.
