The Kingdom of France was one of the major players in Europe during the Middle Ages, and the Medieval heritage in French culture can hardly be overestimated. If you want to immerse yourself in a bygone era for at least a day, France offers an array of Medieval festivals, where one can feast as a king, joke as a jester, or party as a pirate! Discover countless artefacts of the medieval times and visit real castles, which have witnessed plenty of historical events! Most festivals take place in early summer, from late May to mid-June.
Festival Medieval de Sedan (May 11–12, 2024)
At the end of May, fans and enthusiasts of the Middle Ages gather in Chateau de Sedan or Sedan Castle, one of the most impressive castles in Europe. The two-day Festival Medieval de Sedan attracts thousands of visitors with its huge fair, traditional banquets, tournaments, and competitions, as well as famous sword duels. You can stroll around the shows, camps, and exhibitions of medieval daily life: cuisine, weapons, medicine and surgery, the history of chivalry, the forge, the manufacture of clothing, and even the glass factory. More than 400 participants will take part in a parade during the Saturday night great procession. Adult admission is 9 € per day,
Provins Medieval Festival (June 1–2, 2024)
The Provins Medieval Festival takes place every June in a lovely little town of Provins, conveniently situated just an hour's ride from Paris. Generally, the Festival has become a time-machine, which allows you to travel hundreds of years back in time. Merchants and craftsmen will be glad to open for you the products and trades of yesteryear: stone and leatherwork, armor, fabrics, art pieces, spices, and musical instruments. Visitors will be able to take place in several medieval games and activities such as wooden swords, skittles, shovelboard, and many others. Needless to say, Provins gets even more extravagant with all those colorful medieval decorations! One-day admission to the festival is 13 €.
Les Seigneuriales (May 25–26, 2024)
Les Seigneuriales is the Île-de-France region's main medieval festival, organized by the Château de Blandy-les-Tours in the Seine-et-Marne département of France. The festival features a medieval tournament between the lord of Blandy and a mysterious knight, falconry demonstrations, an equestrian show, and a grand medieval banquet on Saturday evening. In addition, the public can enjoy the neo-Medieval music by the Rhesus group during the banquet meal. Admission is 7 €.
