Fête des Ânes de Sens

2025 Edition — January 18th and 19th

The Fête des Ânes 2025 took over the historic heart of Sens for two intense days around Saint-Étienne Cathedral. True to the spirit of its creation in 2001, the event once again brought together residents of the Yonne, families from Burgundy, and visitors from the Île-de-France region for a predominantly free and multidisciplinary program.

Free Activities

On the cathedral parvis, the donkeys from Morvan welcomed young and old for carriage rides from 1:30 PM to 6:00 PM, with the symbolic animal of the festival becoming the king of the Place Saint-Étienne again for a few hours, as in the Middle Ages. Under the mezzanine of the covered market, the falconry shows presented trained birds of prey, echoing medieval seigneurial traditions. The Village des chérubins offered families medieval games, illuminated calligraphy workshops, and storytelling for the youngest.

Heritage and Knowledge

At the Museums of Sens, a conference on the Office of the Circumcision of Sens Cathedral and the Fête des Fous shed light on the liturgical and historical context of Pierre de Corbeil's manuscript, the founding document of the Senonian tradition. A medieval escape game in the lower hall of the Palais Synodal provided a fun discovery of the city's architectural heritage.

Show and Music

At dusk, La Caravane du Feu set the Place de la République ablaze with a pyrotechnic show. In the evening, a concert at the theater or cathedral concluded the festivities in style, with paid admission for this sole musical closing highlight.

2025 Program

• Friday, January 17th: Town crier in the market and Place de la République to announce the festivities
• Saturday, January 18th:
  • Morning: activities in the city center, Village des chérubins
  • 11:00 AM: conference "The Office of the Circumcision of Sens Cathedral and the Fête des Fous" at the Museums of Sens
  • 10:00 AM–4:00 PM: medieval escape game in the lower hall of the Palais Synodal
  • 1:30 PM–6:00 PM: rides with donkeys from Morvan on the cathedral parvis (free)
  • 2:00 PM: falconry shows under the covered market
  • 4:00 PM: concert "Danses Macabres" at Saint-Étienne Cathedral
  • 6:00 PM: fire show, La Caravane du Feu, Place de la République
  • 8:30 PM: closing concert at the cathedral (paid admission)

2025 Highlights

• Rides with donkeys from Morvan on the parvis of Saint-Étienne Cathedral
• Falconry shows under the covered market
• Historical conference on the Office of the Circumcision and the Fête des Fous
• Fire show on the Place de la République
• Closing concert at the cathedral (paid admission)