Queens of Arles

Queens of Arles 2011/2014

Every three years a new queen of Arles is elected. She is the ambassador of the city for all majors cultural events. The next Queen will be elected on May 1, 2014.

“Pople d'Arle, veici ta rèino” is the expression to present the Queen to Arles inhabitants at the balcony of the town hall of Arles.

Queens of Arles exist since 1930, date of the first festival created for the celebration of the 100th anniversary of Frédéric Mistral's birth.
The winner is always chosen among several candidates, all born in Arles from old Arlesian familie.
As her predecessors, the new Queen will, during her reign and assisted by her ladies-in-waiting, fill her role as the incarnation of the Provençal culture, costume and language.(more about Arlesian)

Traditionally she is crowned during the Festival of Arles, at the beginning of the month of July, in the Roman theater.

Official Queen of Arles website

That's history: