Narthex Festival

Narthex Odyssey: A Festival Between Imaginary Worlds and Reality

The Narthex Odyssey Festival is a creation of the Narthex collective, a group of artists and enthusiasts who work at the crossroads of fantasy worlds. Located at the Château de Linières in Ballée, in southern Mayenne, this biennial festival offers a unique immersive experience, blending music, role-playing, and visual arts in a remarkable heritage setting.

Three Days of Immersion at Château de Linières

The festival unfolds over three days, from Friday afternoon to Monday morning, within the grounds and gardens of the Château de Linières. This historic castle, with its towers, moats, and wooded areas, provides an ideal natural backdrop for the festival's fantasy and medieval universe.

Live Music and Staging

The musical programming of Narthex Odyssey is distinguished by its staged concerts. The artists don't just play: they incorporate elements of scenery, costumes, and storytelling that transform each concert into a true stage performance. The musical genres explored range from medieval to dark folk, including electro and ambient.

Live-Action Role-Playing (LARP)

One of the festival's pillars is LARP (Live-Action Role-Playing), an immersive role-playing game that takes place over the three days in the castle's spaces. Accessible to all levels, from beginners to experienced role-players, this LARP plunges participants into an ever-evolving narrative universe, the Narthex Lore, collectively created by the community.

Artisan Market and Workshops

An artisan market offers creations related to the festival's universe:

• Incense, candles, and ritual objects
• Medieval and fantasy clothing and accessories
• Ceramics, jewelry, and decorative items
• Magazines, fanzines, and independent publications

Creative workshops allow festival-goers to discover various artisanal and artistic practices.

A Collective Rooted in Creative Margins

The Narthex collective claims an inclusive and queer approach, with a strong connection to xenogender visions. The festival is designed as a safe and welcoming space where everyone can freely express their creativity and identity. This political and community dimension distinguishes Narthex Odyssey from more traditional medieval festivals.