Medieval Fairs in Burgundy: Step Back in Time for Ye Olde Merrymaking

Lee John
Apr 20, 2015
3 min read

Burgundy has plenty of attractions and events to tempt tourists. There is no need to outline once more the many wonders of this delightful region but if you are planning a wine-tasting trip around Burgundy then see whether your holiday plans coincide with one of Burgundy's Mediaeval Fairs – events where you can step back in time to the Middle Ages as Burgundy celebrates its traditions of yesteryear and all the taverns come to life.

Photo Courtesy: https://thealaskascotts.files.wordpress.com/2010/05/blog-9551.jpg

The merrymaking begins in May. The first journey back through time usually takes place on the third weekend of May at the Parc de la Redoute in Saint-Apollinaire where you will find a mediaeval camp complete with horseback jousting and a whole raft of entertainments. With any luck you will experience something chivalric and courtly and not a bloodbath like HBOs series 'Game of Thrones' based on the books by George R. R. Martin or, for that matter, the real middle ages.

On Whitsun Weekend, another mediaeval fete is held. This one is in Semur-en-Auxois and is called the Race of the Ring. For this occasion the whole town becomes one giant stage depicting life in the Middle Ages. You can see the work of traditional craftsmen and those plying traditional trades, as well as a whole load of music, dance and street theatre.

Photo Courtesy: https://thealaskascotts.files.wordpress.com/2010/05/blog-9551.jpg

In July of every even numbered year you will find a mediaeval market at Châteauneuf-en-Auxois. Here you will find over 80 stalls manned by costumed exhibitors. See old trades like wood carving and engraving practised in the street as they would once have been and see battle re-enactors and horseback shows on the Saturday evening and Sunday.

In August the olde worlde festivities continue. There are a number of mediaeval fairs in August each year. Go for the afternoon to the Old Chateau of Moulins or for the whole weekend you can see the falconers, jugglers, archers, artists and craftspeople at, for example, Chateau of Vic-sous-Thil and Villeneuve-sur-Yonne. Wherever you are in Burgundy there is likely to be a mediaeval fair nearby at some point throughout the summer.

In early September of every even-numbered year there is a varied and wide ranging show over the whole weekend in the town of Tonnerre. Here there are parades, games, street performance and a market. On the Friday evening there is a Mediaeval banquet in the Hotel-Dieu. To top everything off, there is an acrobatics show on the Saturday and an animal show on the Sunday – fun for all the family.

Whether or not you are really into all this re-enactment stuff and whether or not you are particularly interested in that broad period of French history, you can still have a good time. These fairs are about more than that. These fairs, more than anything, are about communities coming together and just having a good time. What's not to like about that?

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