La Médiévale de Saint-Antoine-l'Abbaye
Immersive medieval festival in the heart of one of France's Most Beautiful Villages, the cradle of the Order of the Antonines
2026
About La Médiévale de Saint-Antoine
La Médiévale de Saint-Antoine — edition 2026
The 16th edition of La Médiévale de Saint-Antoine-l'Abbaye will take place on Saturday, August 1st and Sunday, August 2nd, 2026, from noon to midnight, in the village classified among the Plus Beaux Villages de France. On the theme of the link between East and West, centered around the return of the relics of Saint Anthony the Egyptian, more than 60 shows per day, knight tournaments, a medieval encampment, a large craft market, and numerous participatory workshops will bring the historic city of the Antonins back to life, in the heart of Isère.
2026 Edition — In the Footsteps of Saint Anthony the Egyptian
On Saturday, August 1st and Sunday, August 2nd, 2026, from noon to midnight, the village of Saint-Antoine-l'Abbaye hosts the 16th edition of La Médiévale. The 2026 program, designed in partnership with the AFAA (French Association of Friends of the Antonins) and the departmental museum, highlights the link between East and West, through the return of the relics of Saint Anthony the Egyptian.
Professional companies bring the medieval village of the 13th-14th centuries back to life with artisans and artists (singers, musicians, heralds…) and all forms of live arts: theater, music, dance, acrobatics, horses. More than 60 shows are offered daily on a dozen scenic spaces, from the abbey gardens to the forecourt of the Abbatiale, where the grand final show takes place every evening.
Highlights La Médiévale de Saint-Antoine 2026
- "Fury" Grand Fire Finale by Les Zoolians company, at 10:00 PM at the Grand Stade — the troupe's 10th production, celebrating their 20th anniversary before a crowd of over 5,000.
- Grand Historical Parade at 5:00 PM in the Grande Cour, featuring Quasimodal and L'Estampie, followed by a procession in the Basse Cour.
- Dayazell, "Journey between East and West": three concerts in the abbey church at 3:30 PM, 5:30 PM, and 8:30 PM.
- Closing concert by Les Tanneurs de Drac, from 11:00 PM to midnight on the main stage in the Grande Cour.
- The Barthomé Experience in the abbey garden, an intimate setting limited to 50 people.
- Same schedule for Saturday and Sunday: ten performance areas from 2:00 PM to 9:00 PM, followed by the finale.
- 2026 Theme: The connection between East and West through the return of the relics of Saint Anthony the Great, in partnership with the AFAA and the departmental museum.
Programme La Médiévale de Saint-Antoine 2026
Saturday, August 1st and Sunday, August 2nd, 2026 — Same schedule both days
The medieval village is open from noon to midnight. Performances take place from 2:00 PM to 9:00 PM across ten different areas, followed by the grand finale at the Grand Stade at 9:00 PM and the closing concert in the Grande Cour until midnight. This is the official program provided by the organizers and is subject to minor changes.
Daily Highlights
- 5:00 PM — Grand Historical Parade featuring Quasimodal and L'Estampie · Grande Cour, followed by a parade in the Basse Cour
- 9:00 PM — Finale Opening · Grand Stade
- 9:30 PM — Les Derniers Trouvères, Les Baladeux, and Le Bouffon des Gueux · Grand Stade
- 10:00 PM — "Fury" Grand Fire Finale by Les Zoolians company · Grand Stade
- 11:00 PM — Closing concert by Les Tanneurs de Drac · Grande Cour (main stage), until midnight
Halle / Lower Village
- 2:00 PM — Bulle Action
- 2:30 PM — Marjolène, "De la Belle Coquille" · street performance
- 3:00 PM — Bulle Action
- 3:30 PM — Josepha · street theater
- 4:00 PM — Bulle Action
Place Fireman
- 2:00 PM — Les Derniers Trouvères · music
- 3:00 PM — Josepha · street theater
- 3:30 PM — Marjolène, "De la Belle Coquille"
- 4:30 PM — Les Baladeux · juggling show
- 5:00 PM — Les Derniers Trouvères · music
- 6:00 PM — Les Baladeux · juggling show
- 7:00 PM — Josepha · street theater
- 7:30 PM — Le Bouffon des Gueux
- 8:30 PM — Les Baladeux · juggling show
Grande Cour — Main Stage
- 2:00 PM — Quasimodal and Théâtre du Lait Cru
- 2:30 PM — Théâtre de l'Alauda and Prophétie des Gargouilles
- 3:00 PM — Le Bouffon des Gueux
- 3:30 PM — Les Derniers Trouvères
- 4:00 PM — Théâtre Alauda
- 4:30 PM — Prophétie des Gargouilles and Marjolène
- 5:00 PM — Grand Historical Parade with Quasimodal and L'Estampie
- 6:00 PM — Josepha, Théâtre Alauda, and Marjolène
- 6:30 PM — Musical Joust: Les Derniers Trouvères vs. Quasimodal
- 7:30 PM — Prophétie des Gargouilles, Josepha, and Marjolène
- 8:30 PM — Les Tanneurs de Drac · music
- 11:00 PM to midnight — Closing concert: Les Tanneurs de Drac
Medieval Village — Combat and Workshops
- 2:00 PM — Fencing workshop · Cie Escossor
- 2:30 PM — Fencing workshop · Cie Escossor
- 3:00 PM — Béhourd combat · Les Bannis du Languedoc
- 3:30 PM — MMA, Mercenaires Métier d'Avenir (ages 4-7)
- 4:00 PM — Fencing workshop · Cie Escossor
- 5:00 PM — The "Explosive" Apple · Cie Escossor
- 5:30 PM — MMA, Mercenaires Métier d'Avenir (ages 4-7)
- 6:00 PM — Béhourd combat · Les Bannis du Languedoc
- 6:30 PM — Fencing workshop · Cie Escossor
- 7:00 PM — Artillery fire · Cie Escossor
- 8:30 PM — Artillery fire · Cie Escossor
Petit Stade
- 3:00 PM — Artillery display and firing · Cie Franche du Forez
- 4:30 PM — The Adventures of Gaspard le Busard and Belette · all-ages show
- 5:30 PM — Artillery display and firing
- 6:00 PM — Medieval dance workshop · Cie Franche du Forez
- 7:30 PM — Artillery display and firing
- 8:30 PM — The Adventures of Gaspard le Busard and Belette · all-ages show
Abbey Church — Concerts
- 3:30 PM — Dayazell, "Journey between East and West"
- 5:30 PM — Dayazell, "Journey between East and West"
- 8:30 PM — Dayazell, "Journey between East and West"
Church Square
- 3:00 PM — Belli Mercator, "The War Merchants"
- 4:00 PM — Théâtre du Lait Cru, "Garde-Fou"
- 5:00 PM — Belli Mercator, "The War Merchants"
- 6:00 PM — Théâtre du Lait Cru, "Garde-Fou"
- 7:00 PM — Belli Mercator, "The War Merchants"
- 8:30 PM — Bulle Action
Abbey Garden — The Barthomé Experience
- 3:00 PM — Barthomé Experience, Part 3 (limited to 50 people)
- 4:30 PM — Barthomé Experience, Part 3
- 6:00 PM — Barthomé Experience, Part 3
- 8:30 PM — Barthomé Experience, Part 3
Salle des Pas Perdus — History and Heritage of the Order
- 2:00 PM — The Order of Saint-Antoine
- 2:30 PM — Presentation of the Antonine Order
- 3:00 PM — AFAA, History of the Order · short film
- 4:00 PM — Presentation of the Antonine Order
- 4:30 PM — AFAA, History of the Order · short film
- 6:00 PM — Presentation of the Antonine Order
- 6:30 PM — AFAA, History of the Order · short film
Basse Cour
- 2:00 PM — "1474, in the Street of the Forgotten"
- 2:30 PM — Artisans, activities, and shows
- 3:00 PM — Mirabilis Aquae · medieval farce
- 4:30 PM — Quasimodal · music
- 5:00 PM — Historical parade
- 6:00 PM — Mirabilis Aquae · medieval farce
- 7:30 PM — Mirabilis Aquae · medieval farce
- 8:30 PM — "1474, in the Street of the Forgotten"
Grand Stade — The Finale
- 9:00 PM — Finale opening
- 9:30 PM — Les Derniers Trouvères, Les Baladeux, and Le Bouffon des Gueux
- 10:00 PM — "Fury" Grand Fire Finale by Les Zoolians company
Continuous, from noon to midnight
- Artisan and producer market: around 30 exhibitors (crafts, wellness, gastronomy)
- Medieval encampment, interactive workshops, and children's activities
- Nine medieval-themed food stalls throughout the village
- Four themed trails to follow: Performing Arts, Gastronomy, Family, and Heritage
Prices La Médiévale de Saint-Antoine 2026
- Adult: €18
- Reduced rate (under 15): €11
- Under 6: Free
- Family pack (2 adults and 2 children under 15): €50
- Disabled persons (with proof): €11
- Groups of 20 or more: €11 per person
- 1-day pass for Saint-Antoine residents: €11 (must be purchased before the event in Saint-Antoine-l'Abbaye)
Tickets are valid for one day only (Saturday or Sunday) from noon to midnight. You may enter and exit freely throughout the day using a hand stamp. There is no reduced rate for late arrivals.
On-site payments: Credit card, cash, bank check (ID required), or Chèques-Vacances (no change given). Please note: There are no ATMs in the village of Saint-Antoine-l'Abbaye.
Practical information — La Médiévale de Saint-Antoine
Practical Information
Dates and Times
La Médiévale takes place every year on the first weekend of August, Saturday and Sunday, from noon to midnight. The schedule is the same for both days: stage performances run throughout the afternoon and early evening across ten different areas, followed by the grand historical parade in the late afternoon, the fire finale at the Grand Stade, and the closing concert in the Grande Cour until midnight.
Admission Fees
- Adults: 18 €
- Under 15s: 11 €
- Under 6s: Free
- People with disabilities (with proof): 11 €
- Family pack (2 adults and 2 children under 15): 50 €
- Groups of 20 or more (by reservation): 11 € per person
- 1-day pass for Saint-Antoine-l'Abbaye residents: 11 € (must be purchased in Saint-Antoine-l'Abbaye before the festival)
Tickets are valid for one day only, either Saturday or Sunday, and there are no reduced rates for late arrivals. Tickets are available online via HelloAsso. On-site payment methods: credit card, cash, bank check (ID required), and Chèques-Vacances (no change given). Please note: there are no ATMs in the village of Saint-Antoine-l'Abbaye.
Access and Parking
By car: Saint-Antoine-l'Abbaye is located 25 km northwest of Saint-Marcellin and 60 km southwest of Grenoble. From the A49 motorway, take the Saint-Marcellin exit and follow signs for Saint-Antoine-l'Abbaye via the D27. During the festival, parking is prohibited in the village center; free parking areas are set up around the perimeter, and a shuttle service connects the more distant lots to the ticket offices. A carpooling space dedicated to the event is available on the Togetzer platform.
By train: Saint-Marcellin SNCF station (25 km away), then take a taxi or carpool.
Accessibility
A parking area reserved for people with reduced mobility is located near the village center. However, the medieval village features steep, cobbled streets; comfortable footwear is highly recommended.
Dining and Market
Nine dining spots are scattered along the route: Chez Camille, l'Auberge de l'Enchanteur, l'Hostellerie du Vieux Saint-Antoine, la Fine Boulangerie, la Table de l'Abbaye, l'Escale des crêpes, la Taverne du Bélier Rouge, les Tentations d'Antoine, and Mon manège à moi. The craft and producer market brings together around thirty exhibitors (crafts, wellness, gastronomy). You are also welcome to bring your own picnic to enjoy near the encampment area.
Good to Know
- You may enter and exit the festival freely throughout the day using a hand stamp.
- Four themed trails are available to help plan your day: Performing Arts, Gastronomy, Family, and Heritage.
- Wearing a medieval costume is highly encouraged for a fully immersive experience.
- Dogs are welcome if they are well-behaved, kept on a leash, do not bark, and are not easily startled by loud noises.
- The festival takes place outdoors: please bring a hat, sunscreen, and a water bottle in case of hot weather.
Contact and Organization
Organizing association: Saint Antoine Développement, in partnership with the departmental museum, the AFAA (Association française des amis des Antonins), and the municipality of Saint-Antoine-l'Abbaye. Artistic direction: Rue Haute Productions. Phone: +33 4 76 36 44 46. Official website: medievale-stantoine.fr
La Médiévale de Saint-Antoine-l'Abbaye: A Journey to the Heart of the Middle Ages
Nestled in the foothills of the Vercors, the medieval city of Saint-Antoine-l'Abbaye offers an exceptional setting for one of the largest medieval festivals in the Isère region. Voted France's Favorite Village in 2025 and listed among the Most Beautiful Villages of France since 2009, this historic town founded in 1070 around the relics of Saint Anthony the Egyptian transforms every first weekend of August into a living medieval city, attracting over 10,000 visitors over two days.
An Exceptional Historical Heritage
The village owes its existence to the noble Geilin, who brought back the relics of Saint Anthony from Constantinople. Around this sacred treasure, the Order of the Antonines was born, hospital monks renowned for treating the arson fever (Saint Anthony's Fire), whose influence spread throughout Europe. The Gothic abbey church, built between 1280 and the end of the 15th century, dominates the village with its 32 meters width and 22 meters height under the vault. Its 14th-century frescoes, 87 carved wooden stalls, and 1648 silver reliquary constitute remarkable heritage classified as a Historic Monument.
Grand Spectacles on Twelve Stages
The artistic program, entrusted for over thirteen years to Rue Haute Productions, features professional companies on twelve stage areas throughout the village. Over 60 performances per day punctuate the festival: street theater, storytelling, equestrian shows, circus arts, musicians, singers, and dancers take over the alleys, squares, and courtyards of the medieval village. The final evening show, with a capacity of over 5,000 spectators, is the highlight of each day with breathtaking pyrotechnic and acrobatic performances.
Knight Tournaments and Medieval Camp
The knight tournaments, inaugurated during the 2023 edition, have become one of the festival's highlights. In the recreated medieval camp, visitors immerse themselves in daily medieval life through numerous participatory workshops: archery and crossbow shooting, sword fighting, medieval cooking, rope making, embroidery, basket weaving, chainmail making, calligraphy, metallurgy, as well as the art of apothecary and the use of medicinal plants, in homage to the Antonine hospital tradition.
An Artisanal Market and Four Thematic Routes
The medieval market brings together specialized artisans offering handmade items, period costumes, jewelry, leather and wood work, with demonstrations of ancestral know-how. To guide visitors, four thematic routes identified by colored badges traverse the village: performing arts, family activities, heritage and historical immersion, and medieval gastronomy. Taverns and food stalls line the route for tasting medieval-inspired dishes.
A Family and Festive Event
La Médiévale de Saint-Antoine is designed for all generations. Children have adapted workshops and dedicated activities, while adults enjoy high-quality shows and a unique festive atmosphere. Wearing medieval costumes is strongly encouraged for total immersion. From noon to midnight, the festival is in full swing in the narrow alleys, half-timbered houses, and paved squares of this authentic village, a historic stop on the Way of Saint James of Compostela.
Where does it take place — La Médiévale de Saint-Antoine
La Médiévale de Saint-Antoine in brief
History of La Médiévale de Saint-Antoine
Edition 2025 Aug 2025Other festivals near Saint-Antoine-l'Abbaye
Festival-goer reviews
No review yet. Be the first!
No rating yet — be the first!
Were you there?
Share your experience with the community
Have you spotted an error or missing information?
Help us keep this listing up to date. Every suggestion is reviewed by our team before publication.
Festival-goer photos
No photo yet. Share yours!
5 photos max, 5 MB per photo (JPG, PNG, WebP)