En Direct de l'Histoire !
Immersive summer historical animation at the Château de Meung-sur-Loire
About En Direct de l'Histoire
Every summer, the Château de Meung-sur-Loire comes alive with 'En Direct de l'Histoire !', an immersive animation where costumed actors, swashbuckling shows, ancient games, and encounters with colorful characters plunge young and old into the castle's history, from the attic to the dungeons. Created in 2022, the event also features a dragon land populated by fantastic automatons, a suspended net course in the trees, a mini-farm, and a mobile app investigation game.
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En Direct de l'Histoire: The Château de Meung-sur-Loire Like You've Never Seen It Before
Every summer, the Château de Meung-sur-Loire opens its doors wide for a unique historical experience in the Loire Valley. 'En Direct de l'Histoire !' transforms this Historic Monument-listed residence into a true living theater where history is told, played, and lived as a family. From the attic to the dungeons, visitors explore the castle rooms and meet surprising characters embodied by professional costumed actors.
Swashbuckling Shows in the Heart of the Castle
Several times a day, the castle's Orangery hosts a swashbuckling show featuring the Musketeers, in homage to Alexandre Dumas' novel whose plot begins precisely in Meung-sur-Loire. Performances take place at 11:30 AM, 2:30 PM, 3:30 PM, and 4:30 PM, lasting 30 minutes. Between shows, visitors can meet Marie, the bishop's cook, who shares her savory anecdotes about daily life in the castle, as well as Bonifet, the valet with juicy stories, or the castle doctor and his practices from another era.
The Dragon Land: A Fantastic Bestiary
The legend of Saint Liphard slaying the dragon is at the heart of Meung-sur-Loire's identity. The event features a spectacular bestiary of animatronic dragons, from a small winged dragon to a 14-meter-long giant basilisk, in an immersive trail that delights children and adults alike.
The Knight's Trail: Adventure in the Trees
In the castle grounds, the Knight's Trail offers an original aerial experience: suspended nets and 3 giant trampolines installed in the trees provide a unique view of the castle and its gardens. Six agility workshops complete this trail, allowing free movement through the canopy. Closed-toe shoes are mandatory, long sleeves and trousers are recommended; children under 8 must be accompanied.
Ancient Games, Mini-Farm, and Interactive Investigation
The castle grounds offer a space for free-access ancient games: Trou Madame, giant tic-tac-toe, skittles, ring toss, and many other period entertainments. A mini-farm allows younger children to meet Toy goats, chickens, sheep, and a donkey. The Anne Mésia investigation, a free mobile app adventure game, invites visitors to solve a mystery by exploring the castle for about 45 minutes.
A Castle Steeped in History
The Château de Meung-sur-Loire, a listed Historic Monument, was the residence of the bishops of Orléans for over five centuries and served as a prison for François Villon in 1461. It is also in this castle that Alexandre Dumas sets the beginning of d'Artagnan's adventures in The Three Musketeers. The castle tour, from the attic to the dungeons, including 25 furnished rooms, is in itself a dive into eight centuries of French history.
En Direct de l'Histoire — edition 2026
The 5th edition of En Direct de l'Histoire! will be held from July 4 to August 23, 2026, at the Château de Meung-sur-Loire. The program will feature shows with costumed actors in the castle, the Dragon Land with its fantastic automatons, the Knight's Trail in the trees, ancient games, a mini-farm, and an interactive investigation, daily from 10 AM to 7 PM.
2026 Edition - July 4 to August 23
The Château de Meung-sur-Loire will host the 5th edition of En Direct de l'Histoire ! from July 4 to August 23, 2026, daily from 10 AM to 7 PM. This new edition promises an immersive and fun historical experience for the whole family in this Historic Monument-listed castle, linked to the history of Joan of Arc and Alexandre Dumas' novel The Three Musketeers.
Costumed actors will once again take over the castle rooms to bring its iconic characters to life. The swashbuckling show will be performed daily at the Orangery. The Dragon Land will showcase its bestiary of fantastic automatons, from a small dragon to a 14-meter-long giant basilisk.
In the park, the Knight's Trail will offer its aerial adventure with suspended nets and trampolines in the trees. The free-access ancient games, the mini-farm, and the interactive investigation on mobile app will complete this summer program for the whole family.
Programme En Direct de l'Histoire 2026
Provisional 2026 Program
- Swashbuckling show: daily at the Orangery (times to be confirmed)
- Dragon Land: fantastic automaton trail
- Knight's Trail: suspended nets and trampolines in the trees
- Costumed characters: immersive encounters in the castle rooms
- Interactive investigation: mobile app adventure game
- Ancient games: free access in the park
- Mini-farm: animals to discover
- Castle tour: 25 rooms from the attic to the dungeons
Detailed program to be confirmed on the castle's official website.
Highlights En Direct de l'Histoire 2026
To Remember for 2026
- Dates: July 4 to August 23, 2026, daily from 10 AM to 7 PM
- 5th edition of the Château de Meung-sur-Loire's summer animation
- Dragon Land and the 14-meter giant basilisk
- Daily swashbuckling shows
- Knight's Trail aerial course in the park's trees
- Family entertainment: ancient games, mini-farm, interactive investigation
Prices En Direct de l'Histoire 2026
Practical information — En Direct de l'Histoire
Practical Information
Access
By car: The Château de Meung-sur-Loire is located at 16 Place du Martroi, 45130 Meung-sur-Loire, 20 minutes from Orléans via the RN152 and 1.5 hours from Paris via the A10 (Meung-sur-Loire exit). Free parking nearby.
By train: Meung-sur-Loire SNCF station on the Orléans-Blois-Tours line (TER Centre-Val de Loire), a 5-minute walk from the castle.
Opening Hours
Opening: daily from 10 AM to 7 PM throughout the event (early July to late August). Last admission 1 hour before closing. Outdoor activities close 20 minutes before the castle.
Swashbuckling show: at the Orangery at 11:30 AM, 2:30 PM, 3:30 PM, and 4:30 PM (30 minutes).
2026 Prices
- Full price: €13
- Reduced price (students under 25, job seekers, disabled persons): €11
- Child (4 to 15 years old): €9.50
- Family pass (2 adults + 3 children): €50
- Free for under 4s and over 80s
Contact
Phone: 02 38 44 36 47
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.chateau-de-meung.com
On-site Services
Catering and restrooms available on site. Pets allowed. Group reception from 15 people.
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Travel to this festival
Book your train or bus to reach En Direct de l'Histoire at the best price.
Sponsored link
Where does it take place — En Direct de l'Histoire
Château-parc de Meung-sur-Loire
16 Place du Martroi, 45130 Meung-sur-Loire