Cel'Thiron Pentecost Festival

Cel'Thiron Pentecost Festival: Scotland visits Perche

Every year on the Pentecost weekend, the magnificent Domaine de l'Abbaye de Thiron-Gardais transforms into a true corner of Scotland. The Cel'Thiron Pentecost Festival is an exceptional cultural event that celebrates the historical ties between the Abbey of Tiron and Celtic culture, through a rich program combining sport, music, crafts, and heritage.

Highland Games: Strength and Tradition

The centerpiece of the festival, the French Highland Games championships bring together top athletes competing in spectacular events inherited from Scottish tradition: caber toss, stone put, shot put, hammer throw, and tug-of-war. Categories B, Master, Light Weight, and Women compete on Saturday afternoon and Sunday, offering an impressive display of power and skill. The tug-of-war competition on Saturday evening beautifully concludes the day's events.

Celtic Music and Highland Dance

Music is omnipresent at Cel'Thiron. The festival hosts Askol Ha Brug, the oldest pipe band in France, whose bagpipes and drums resonate in the abbey gardens. Celtic music concerts blend harp, violin, flute, and singing, transporting festival-goers to an enchanting world. The Keltika Highland Dance Team, from Scotland, offers demonstrations of traditional Scottish dance, with its precise steps and vibrant costumes.

Scottish Medieval Village and Artisan Market

The festival also includes a Scottish medieval village animated by the Hist'Landers, a historical reenactment company specializing in Franco-Scottish history. Visitors can discover the weapons, costumes, and lifestyles of medieval Scotland. A Celtic and artisan market offers products from Celtic crafts: jewelry, tartans, pottery, gastronomic products, and traditional items.

An Exceptional Heritage Setting

The Domaine de l'Abbaye de Thiron-Gardais, founded in 1114 by Saint Bernard of Tiron, offers a grandiose historical setting for this event. The abbey, whose order spread to Scotland and Wales, maintains centuries-old ties with Celtic culture, giving full meaning to this festival. The abbey gardens, monastic buildings, and the abbey church serve as a natural backdrop for the various activities.

A Free Family Event

Cel'Thiron is a free and family-friendly festival, with many activities for children: hobby horse races, creative workshops, traditional games, and Highland Games initiations. The event attracts thousands of visitors each year, including families, Celtic culture enthusiasts, and the curious, in a joyful and exotic atmosphere.