La Médiévale de Mantes - Foire aux Oignons

The Foire aux Oignons de Mantes: over five centuries of tradition

The Foire aux Oignons de Mantes-la-Jolie is much more than a simple market: it is one of the oldest fairs in France, with origins dating back to the 15th century. For over 575 years, every autumn, the center of Mantes-la-Jolie dons its medieval attire to celebrate this age-old tradition, at the foot of the majestic Collégiale Notre-Dame, a jewel of Gothic architecture often compared to Notre-Dame de Paris.

A medieval market in the heart of the city

On the day of the fair, Rue Porte des Comptes and Rue Nationale transform into a vast animated medieval market. Artisans – woodturners, weavers, glassblowers, calligraphers, candlemakers – set up their stalls and demonstrate their ancestral skills before the eyes of visitors. Merchants and peddlers from all over the region offer artisanal products, gastronomic delights, and local goods in an atmosphere of authenticity.

The Tâte-Oignon Ceremony

The emblematic moment of the fair is the Tâte-Oignon ceremony, a tradition that perpetuates the ancestral gesture of tasting the onion to judge its quality. This official ceremony, followed by a free distribution of onion soup, brings together officials, visitors, and residents in a moment of conviviality and sharing. The onion, a symbolic product of the fair since its origins, remains at the heart of this celebration.

Medieval Shows and Entertainment

Throughout the day, the city center buzzes with medieval shows: knights in armor fighting, ancient fencing demonstrations, musicians and troubadours, fire-eaters, and acrobats. A medieval village is set up on Place Saint-Maclou with workshops for children – knight games, heraldry initiation, illumination – and a traditional educational farm that delights the youngest.

At nightfall, fire shows and nocturnal theater add a magical dimension to the event, extending the festivities into the evening in an enchanting medieval atmosphere.

A unifying event for Mantes-la-Jolie

Organized by the City of Mantes-la-Jolie in partnership with local merchants and historical associations, the Médiévale de Mantes – Foire aux Oignons is a unifying event that contributes to the valorization of the city's exceptional historical heritage. Free and accessible to all, it attracts thousands of visitors from all over the Île-de-France region each year and is one of the highlights of autumn in the Yvelines.