Festival des Milliaires
Living arts from Antiquity at the Argentomagus site
About Les Milliaires
A Thousand Steps, A Thousand Places, A Thousand Times
The Festival des Milliaires was born in 2007 from the desire to revive the living arts of Antiquity on the Argentomagus archaeological site, in Saint-Marcel in the Indre region. Every summer, in early August, the festival takes over the Gallo-Roman theatre of Le Virou, a listed historic monument, to offer unique performances at the crossroads of ancient theatre, dance, and music.
Ancient Theatre at the Heart of the Project
The festival's program revolves around the performance of ancient theatrical works—Greek tragedies, Latin comedies, epic tales—performed in the authentic setting of a Gallo-Roman theatre. The Compagnie Démodocos, directed by the philologist and director Philippe Brunet, presents its creations, blending ancient texts, choreography, and original music.
A Dialogue Between Antiquity and the Renaissance
Beyond ancient theatre, the festival explores the links between Antiquity and the Renaissance through concerts of early music, archaeological conferences, and meetings with musicologists and composers. Artistic residencies allow artists to work in situ, inspired by the exceptional atmosphere of the Argentomagus site.
An Exceptional Archaeological Site
Argentomagus is one of the most important Gallo-Roman sites in the Centre-Val de Loire region. The Virou theatre, a mixed theatre-amphitheatre structure, offers a remarkable natural setting for open-air performances. The Argentomagus Museum and its archaeological crypt complete the cultural experience with permanent exhibitions on Gallo-Roman daily life.
A Festival of Research and Creation
The Festival des Milliaires is distinguished by its intellectual and artistic rigor. Each edition is built around a unifying theme—such as "Escape, to escape" in 2025—which permeates the entire program. Archaeological encounters, conferences, and singing workshops complement the performances to offer a complete immersion in the living arts of Antiquity.
Les Milliaires — edition 2026
2026 edition of the Festival des Milliaires at the Gallo-Roman theatre of Virou, on the archaeological site of Argentomagus in Saint-Marcel (Indre). On August 1st and 2nd, 2026, the Compagnie Démodocos, directed by Philippe Brunet, brings the ancient theatre back to life with costumes, masks, and choirs: a tragedy by Euripides followed by a sung and danced recital based on Catullus.
Ancient Theatre at the Heart of Argentomagus
Each summer, in early August, the Festival des Milliaires takes over the Gallo-Roman theatre of Virou, on the archaeological site of Argentomagus in Saint-Marcel. For this 2026 edition, two evenings of ancient live performance are scheduled for Saturday, August 1st and Sunday, August 2nd, presented by the Compagnie Démodocos under the direction of Philippe Brunet, who works for the revival of Greek and Roman theatre (masks, choirs, chanted declamation).
Two Evenings of Ancient Live Performance
On Saturday, August 1st, the Compagnie Démodocos presents Medea by Euripides, a Greek tragedy performed in costumes and masks with choirs, in the exceptional setting of the Roman theatre. On Sunday, August 2nd, it's time for The Wedding of Thetis and Peleus by Catullus, a sung and danced recital.
Beyond these two evenings, the Milliaires season continues in August with a singing workshop and recitals within the association, but the main event at the ancient theatre focuses on these two dates.
Programme Les Milliaires 2026
Saturday, August 1st, 2026
- 7:00 PM — Medea by Euripides · Compagnie Démodocos (directed by Philippe Brunet) · Greek tragedy in costumes, masks, and choirs · Gallo-Roman theatre of Virou
Sunday, August 2nd, 2026
- 7:00 PM — The Wedding of Thetis and Peleus by Catullus · Compagnie Démodocos · Sung and danced recital · Gallo-Roman theatre of Virou
Highlights Les Milliaires 2026
- Performances in a real Gallo-Roman theatre, on the archaeological site of Argentomagus
- Living ancient theatre by the Compagnie Démodocos (masks, choirs, chanted declamation)
- Medea by Euripides on August 1st, The Wedding of Thetis and Peleus by Catullus on August 2nd
Prices Les Milliaires 2026
Practical information — Les Milliaires
Practical Information
Location
Gallo-Roman Theatre of Le Virou - Argentomagus Archaeological Site, Rue du Docteur Alain, 36200 Saint-Marcel. In case of bad weather, the event will move to the crypt of the Argentomagus Museum.
Access
- By car: Saint-Marcel is located near Argenton-sur-Creuse, accessible via the A20 (exit 18).
- By train: Argenton-sur-Creuse station (Paris-Limoges line).
Ticketing
Bookings on billetweb.fr or by phone at 06 71 43 37 56.
Contact
Email: [email protected] — Phone: 06 71 43 37 56
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Where does it take place — Les Milliaires
Théâtre gallo-romain du Virou - Argentomagus
Rue du Docteur Alain, 36200 Saint-Marcel