Once Upon a Time Carmaux
The first medieval festival of Carmaux, an immersion in the Middle Ages at Parc Jean Jaurès
About Medieval Festival of Carmaux
Once Upon a Time Carmaux: The Birth of a Medieval Festival
In June 2025, Carmaux experienced a historic first: the birth of its own medieval festival. For three days, the Parc Jean Jaurès — named in honor of the famous socialist tribune born in the region — hosted a complete medieval immersion, organized by history enthusiasts and supported by local tourism stakeholders. This first edition laid the groundwork for an event that promises to last.
Carmaux, From the Mine to the Middle Ages
Carmaux is primarily known for its mining past and working-class history, intimately linked to the figure of Jean Jaurès, who was elected deputy there in 1893 during a legendary strike. However, the region also boasts a rich medieval heritage, with castles, fortified villages, and the memory of the lords of Carmausin. The medieval festival is part of this effort to diversify the local cultural offerings and explore all layers of regional history.
A Complete Three-Day Program
From June 6 to 8, 2025, visitors enjoyed a dense and varied program:
- Medieval Living Camps — reconstruction of medieval life, food, trades, and daily life, animated by specialized companies
- Knight Combats — sword duels, group battles, and demonstrations of armament with full armor
- Equestrian Games — jousts, quintains, and other medieval training exercises on horseback
- Artistic Fencing — demonstrations of historical weapons techniques (HEMA) adapted for the public
- Participatory Workshops: medieval surgery, period hygiene and beauty, stone carving, cooking, armory, medieval games, wool weaving
- Local Artisan Market featuring creators and producers from the Tarn
- Troubadour Music — medieval and Occitan music concerts performed while wandering
- Animated Banquet on Saturday Evening — medieval meal served at the lord's table by a caterer specializing in medieval cuisine
An Invitation to Travel Through Time
What sets 'Once Upon a Time Carmaux' apart is its commitment to offering an experience that is as educational as it is festive. The workshops allow visitors to concretely discover the daily lives of medieval men and women: how wounds were treated, how people styled their hair, how stone was carved, or how to cook without a refrigerator. This pedagogical and lively approach is ideal for families and school groups.
A Promising Future
The success of this first edition confirmed the appetite of the inhabitants and visitors of Carmausin for this type of event. For 2026, the event — renamed Once Upon a Time for this new edition — already announces its return, confirming the birth of a medieval tradition in the heart of the Tarn.
Medieval Festival of Carmaux — edition 2026
The 2nd edition of the Carmaux medieval festival, renamed « Il était autrefois » (Once Upon a Time), takes place from Friday, June 5 to Sunday, June 7, 2026 at Parc Jean Jaurès. Organized by the Compagnie des Dragons Occitans, it offers three days of medieval life encampments, knight fights, equestrian games, participatory workshops, a craft market, and troubadours. Free admission, paid medieval banquet on Saturday evening by reservation.
2026 Edition — « Il était autrefois »: Second edition of the Carmaux medieval festival
Building on the success of its first edition in June 2025, the Carmaux medieval festival returns from June 5 to 7, 2026 under the new title « Il était autrefois ». Parc Jean Jaurès once again hosts, for three days, the Compagnie des Dragons Occitans and its guests for a weekend dedicated to the recreation of the Middle Ages.
What is confirmed for 2026
The 2026 edition reprises the proven formula of the first edition, with a categorical program confirmed by the organizers and relayed by the Carmaux-Ségala Tourist Office as well as by the official agenda of the Tarn Departmental Council:
- Medieval life encampments — recreation of habitat, trades, and daily life in the Middle Ages by specialized companies
- Knight fights — sword duels, collective battles, and armored weapon demonstrations
- Equestrian games — jousts, quintain, and medieval equestrian training exercises
- Participatory workshops — medieval surgery, period hygiene and beauty, stone carving, cooking, armory, games, and wool weaving
- Crafts market — local creators and producers
- Troubadours — medieval and Occitan music wandering
- Saturday evening banquet — animated medieval meal served by a specialized caterer, by reservation (Helloasso ticketing)
Hours and access
The site is open daily from 10 AM to 6 PM, with free admission for all outdoor activities. Food and refreshment stand on site.
Detailed program to come
The hour-by-hour program (company performances, combat schedules, workshop slots, troubadour concerts) is being finalized as of this update. It will be published on the Compagnie des Dragons Occitans website (lesdragonsoccitans.com) and on the Carmaux-Ségala Tourist Office page closer to the event.
Programme Medieval Festival of Carmaux 2026
The 2nd edition of « Il était autrefois Carmaux » will be held from Friday, June 5th to Sunday, June 7th, 2026, at Parc Jean Jaurès, with free admission from 10 AM to 6 PM. The lively medieval banquet on Saturday evening is subject to a fee and requires reservation. Here is the official schedule released by the Compagnie des Dragons Occitans for Saturday and Sunday.
Saturday, June 6th, 2026 — Parc Jean Jaurès
- 10:00 AM — Camp and market opening
- 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM — Continuous workshops and demonstrations: surgery, hygiene and beauty, wool weaving, stone carving, games, herbalism, weapon racks, archery, calligraphy, etc.
- 10:30 AM — Prejudices and expressions: participatory workshop in the form of questions and answers
- 11:00 AM — Armored knight fights
- 11:30 AM — Softbattle Tournament
- 12:00 PM — Equestrian games
- 2:30 PM — Justice in the Middle Ages: mini-conference, anecdotes
- 3:30 PM — Softbattle Tournament
- 4:00 PM — Armored knight fights
- 5:00 PM — Equestrian games
- 6:00 PM — Camp closing
- 7:00 PM — Banquet reception, market closing
- 7:30 PM — Lively banquet (paid, by reservation)
Sunday, June 7th, 2026 — Parc Jean Jaurès
- 10:00 AM — Camp and market opening
- 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM — Continuous workshops: surgery, hygiene and beauty, wool weaving, stone carving, games, herbalism, weapon racks, archery, calligraphy, etc.
- 10:30 AM — Prejudices and expressions: participatory workshop in the form of questions and answers
- 11:00 AM — Armored knight fights
- 11:30 AM — Softbattle Tournament
- 12:00 PM — Equestrian games
- 2:30 PM — Justice in the Middle Ages: mini-conference, anecdotes
- 3:30 PM — Softbattle Tournament
- 4:00 PM — Armored knight fights
- 5:00 PM — Equestrian games
- 6:00 PM — Camp and market closing
The event takes place over three days, from Friday, June 5th to Sunday, June 7th, 2026. The detailed schedules above correspond to Saturday, June 6th and Sunday, June 7th, as published by the organizers. Event supported by the Ville de Carmaux, the Carmausin-Ségala community of communes, and the Conseil départemental du Tarn.
Highlights Medieval Festival of Carmaux 2026
- 2nd edition of a medieval festival born in 2025, now established in Carmaux
- Three days of outdoor activities at Parc Jean Jaurès, right in the heart of the city
- Free admission — family event, accessible to all
- Compagnie des Dragons Occitans, a Tarn-based troupe specializing in 13th-14th century reenactment
- Animated medieval banquet on Saturday evening, by Helloasso reservation
Prices Medieval Festival of Carmaux 2026
Practical information — Medieval Festival of Carmaux
Practical Information
Location
Parc Jean Jaurès, Carmaux (81400). Walking distance from the town center. Parking available nearby.
Access
By Car: Carmaux is located 18 km north of Albi via the D988. Follow the signs for 'Parc Jean Jaurès' upon arrival in town.
By Train: Carmaux station on the TER Albi-Carmaux line. Parc Jean Jaurès is within walking distance from the station.
Medieval Banquet
The Saturday evening banquet requires reservation. Limited places. Information available from the Carmaux Tourist Office.
Admission
Free access to outdoor activities. The Saturday evening banquet is paid, by reservation.
Contact
Office de Tourisme Carmaux-Ségala — tourisme-tarn-carmaux.fr
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Where does it take place — Medieval Festival of Carmaux
Parc Jean Jaurès
Parc Jean Jaurès, 11 Boulevard Charles de Gaulle, 81400 Carmaux, 81400 Carmaux