Medieval Festival of Brain-sur-Allonnes

Medieval Festival of Brain-sur-Allonnes: A Dive into the Middle Ages in the Heart of the Saumurois

Every summer, the archaeological site of the Chevalerie de Sacé, in Brain-sur-Allonnes, transforms into a lively medieval encampment. The Medieval Festival of Brain-sur-Allonnes, organized by the association Areghat, is one of the oldest and most popular medieval events in Maine-et-Loire, with over thirty editions to its name.

An Exceptional Archaeological Site

The Chevalerie de Sacé is a medieval archaeological site located west of the village of Brain-sur-Allonnes, in the woods of the communal forest of Courcy. It houses the remains of a fortified house built around 1290, whose underground structures bear witness to the era when the knight Jehan Godin de Sacé lived there. The site is also famous for its medieval botanical garden, which today gathers over 800 plant species used in the Middle Ages: medicinal, dyeing, food, and aromatic plants.

A Program of Medieval Animations

The festival offers a rich and varied program, true to the spirit of great medieval festivals:

• Equestrian jousts in the arena of the Chevalerie
• Parade in period costumes with knights, ladies, and troubadours
• Medieval music with minstrels and jugglers
• Archery and demonstrations of ancient weapons
• Artisan market with costumed artisans offering basketry, blacksmithing, pottery, and illumination
• Visit to the medieval botanical garden and the 14th-century fortified house
• Medieval fouées meal, a culinary specialty of the Saumurois region
• Farmyard animals and exhibition of forest species

An Immersive and Costumed Atmosphere

The unique feature of the Medieval Festival of Brain-sur-Allonnes is its immersive nature. Organizers, volunteers, and many visitors don period costumes, creating an authentic and joyful atmosphere. Children enthusiastically participate in introductory workshops for archery, calligraphy, or crest making, while adults enjoy demonstrations of ancestral skills and tastings of medieval dishes.

A Popular and Family-Friendly Event

With an annual attendance of around 2,000 people, the Medieval Festival of Brain-sur-Allonnes is a human-sized, friendly, and accessible event. Its exceptional forest setting, the richness of its animations, and the commitment of the Areghat association make it a must-attend cultural and festive gathering in the Saumurois and Maine-et-Loire regions.