Medieval festivals in France

April 2026

Stéphane D · CC BY-SA 2.0

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Living History & Museums Castle Events

Guédelon Castle (living medieval construction site)

Treigny, France

Guédelon is a 13th-century castle being built from scratch in a Burgundy forest quarry using only the tools, materials and techniques of the 1230s, open to visitors from spring to autumn since the first stone was laid in 1997. Around forty masons, carpenters, blacksmiths, tilers, rope-makers and carters work in front of the public, and the site draws roughly 300,000 visitors a season.

On now until 1 Nov

Family

July 2026

Chensiyuan · CC BY-SA 4.0

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Jousting & Tournaments Castle Events

Tournoi de Chevalerie de Carcassonne (Knights' Tournament and Falconry Show)

Carcassonne, France

Every summer the lices between the double walls of the Cité de Carcassonne host a daily knights' tournament, a 45-minute show of mounted combat in armour, billed in 2026 as 'Tournois de chevalerie et spectacle de fauconnerie' after a falconry display was added. The 2026 season runs from 12 July to 27 August with three performances a day, every day except Saturday.

On now until 27 Aug

Family

October 2026

Reenactment & Battles Medieval Markets & Fairs +1

Festival Médiéval de la Rose d'Or

Avignon, France

Every autumn some 60 to 70 historical associations camp on the Île de la Barthelasse, the island in the Rhône facing the Palais des Papes, for a re-enactors' festival with a market, archery, tournaments and a closing battle. Running since 2007 and organised by volunteers without public subsidy, it is one of the largest medieval gatherings in southern France; the 2026 edition, billed as the twentieth, falls on 10–11 October.

10–11 Oct 2026

Family

June 2027

Pline · CC BY-SA 3.0

Featured

Medieval Markets & Fairs Music, Feasts & Theatre +1

Les Médiévales de Provins

Provins, France

Les Médiévales de Provins turn the UNESCO-listed upper town into a two-day medieval fair each June, with a market of around 320 stalls, tournaments, a Saturday-night ball and concert and a Sunday parade of about 700 costumed participants. Held since 1984, it attracted 120,000 visitors in 2025, the largest attendance of any medieval festival in France.

Expected Jun 2027

Family

July 2027

Mbzt · CC BY-SA 3.0

Medieval Markets & Fairs Music, Feasts & Theatre +1

Les Médiévales de Bayeux

Bayeux, France

Les Médiévales de Bayeux turns the cathedral quarter of this Normandy town into a free three-day medieval festival on the first weekend of July, opening with a night parade of more than 500 performers and continuing with a market, street theatre, siege engines and concerts. Around 60,000 people attend, making it one of the largest medieval festivals in France.

Expected Jul 2027

Free Family

Medieval Markets & Fairs Jousting & Tournaments +1

Fête des Remparts de Dinan

Dinan, France

The Fête des Remparts is a biennial two-day medieval festival in the walled Breton town of Dinan, with a large market, knights' tournament, camps, parades and a tavern stage of medieval music. Founded in 1983, it drew about 110,000 visitors for its 25th edition in July 2025; the next is planned for 24–25 July 2027.

Expected Jul 2027

Family