Festival Salera - La Sologne Antique

The Salera Festival: Sologne in the Time of the Gauls and Romans

The Salera Festival is a live history and ancient reenactment event that takes place every year in June at the Domaine de Courcelles in Salbris, Loir-et-Cher. Created in 2023, this ambitious festival immerses the public in the daily life of the Gallic and Roman peoples who occupied Sologne two millennia ago. The name Salera refers to the ancient history of the Salbrisian territory, marked by the Gallic Wars a few kilometers from the Battle of Noviodunum.

A Journey Through Time in the Heart of Sologne

For two days, over 150 reenactors set up life-sized Gallic and Roman camps, offering a total immersion in Antiquity. Visitors wander among the tents, observe artisans at work, discover ancient techniques of forging, weaving, pottery, and cooking, and interact with enthusiasts from all over France. The festival notably hosts the prestigious reenactment troupe Teuta Arverni and the stunt performers of Pégase Prod.

Grandiose Spectacles

The Salera Festival offers spectacular animations that bring the great hours of Antiquity back to life. The Great Circus Games and chariot races are one of the highlights of the event, with four quadrigae (ancient chariots drawn by four horses abreast, making a total of sixteen horses) launched into the arena to the cheers of the public. Gladiator fights recreate the battles of the Roman arenas with remarkable historical authenticity. Demonstrations of Roman and Gallic military maneuvers, a gladiatorial school, ancient weapon shooting, and workshops on handling catapults and scorpions complete the program.

An Ancient Market and a Historical Banquet

The ancient market, open daily from 10 am to 7 pm, brings together about thirty merchants and creators offering jewelry, pottery, leather goods, decorative weapons, and products inspired by Antiquity. On Saturday evening, a grand historical banquet gathers participants and the public around dishes prepared according to ancient recipes, in a friendly and festive atmosphere (by reservation, limited places). Ancient and sports games allow young and old to learn about the disciplines practiced by our ancestors.

An Event Organized by the City of Salbris

Organized by the City of Salbris, the Salera Festival has become in a few years an unmissable event for ancient history enthusiasts in the Centre-Val de Loire region. Families will find numerous activities adapted for children, while history enthusiasts benefit from a particularly meticulous level of reenactment. Free concerts are also offered on Saturday evening in the heart of the event.