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
About La Médiévale de Saint-Antoine
Every first weekend of August, Saint-Antoine-l'Abbaye, voted France's Favorite Village 2025 and listed among France's Most Beautiful Villages, transforms into a living medieval city. For two days, from noon to midnight, over 10,000 visitors discover knight tournaments, street performances, theater, music, dances, ancient craft workshops, and a large medieval market in the authentic alleys of this village founded around the Abbey of the Antonines in the 11th century. Costumes encouraged for total immersion in the Middle Ages.
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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.
La Médiévale de Saint-Antoine — edition 2026
The 16th edition of La Médiévale de Saint-Antoine-l'Abbaye will take place on August 1st and 2nd, 2026, from noon to midnight, in the village listed among France's Most Beautiful Villages. Knight tournaments, street performances, an artisan market, a medieval camp, and participatory workshops will once again animate the alleys of this historic city founded by the Antonines, for two days of medieval festivities in the heart of Isère.
2026 Edition - La Médiévale Returns on August 1st and 2nd
The 16th edition of La Médiévale de Saint-Antoine-l'Abbaye will take over the village on August 1st and 2nd, 2026, from noon to midnight. Following the resounding success of the 2025 edition, boosted by the village's election as France's Favorite Village, the medieval festival promises another major event.
The program will revolve around the ingredients that make the event a success: street performances spread across the village's twelve stages by professional companies, the now-essential knight tournaments, a medieval camp with numerous participatory workshops, and a large artisan market. The final evening show will remain the highlight of each day.
Visitors can once again immerse themselves in medieval life through workshops in archery, crossbow shooting, sword fighting, medieval cooking, embroidery, basket weaving, calligraphy, and apothecary. The four thematic routes marked by colored badges will guide visitors through performing arts, family activities, historical heritage, and gastronomy.
The detailed artistic program and invited companies will be announced in the spring of 2026 on the festival's official website.
Programme La Médiévale de Saint-Antoine 2026
Provisional 2026 Program
- Street performances: theater, music, dance, juggling, acrobatics on 12 stages
- Knight tournaments: jousts and armored combat
- Equestrian shows
- Medieval camp: immersive historical recreation
- Participatory workshops: archery, crossbow, sword fighting, medieval cooking, rope making, embroidery, basket weaving, chainmail, calligraphy, metallurgy, apothecary
- Medieval artisan market: artisans, costumes, jewelry, leather, wood
- 4 thematic routes marked by colored badges
- Final evening show
- Medieval dining
Detailed program to be confirmed in spring 2026.
Highlights La Médiévale de Saint-Antoine 2026
To Remember for the 2026 Edition
- Dates: Saturday, August 1st, and Sunday, August 2nd, 2026, from noon to midnight
- Knight tournaments in the heart of the medieval village
- Over 60 shows per day on 12 stages
- Participatory medieval workshops for the whole family
- Grand final show in the evening
- Costumes encouraged for total immersion
Prices La Médiévale de Saint-Antoine 2026
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 gates of the medieval village open at 12:00 PM, and activities continue until midnight with the final evening show.
Prices
- Adult: €16
- Child (6 to 15 years old): €11
- Child under 6 years old: free
- Person with disabilities: €11
- Group (from 20 people): €11 per person
Online ticketing available on the official website and on the BAM-Ticket platform. Payment on-site by cash, credit card, and checks.
Access
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, then follow signs for Saint-Antoine-l'Abbaye via the D27. Free parking is available around the village with a shuttle service to the center.
By train: Saint-Marcellin SNCF station (25 km), then taxi or carpooling.
Accessibility
Accessible areas are provided for people with reduced mobility and strollers. However, the medieval village has steep and cobbled alleys; comfortable shoes are recommended.
Practical Tips
- Medieval Costumes: wearing a costume is strongly encouraged for total immersion in the festival atmosphere.
- Pets: leashed animals are welcome.
- Food: medieval taverns and food stalls on site. Picnics are not allowed within the festival grounds.
- Weather: the festival takes place outdoors; bring a hat, sunscreen, and a water bottle in case of high temperatures.
Contact and Organization
Organizing Association: Saint Antoine Développement, in partnership with the Departmental Museum and the Municipality of Saint-Antoine-l'Abbaye.
Artistic Direction: Rue Haute Productions
Phone: +33 4 76 36 44 46
Website: medievale-stantoine.fr
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Travel to this festival
Book your train or bus to reach La Médiévale de Saint-Antoine at the best price.
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Where does it take place — La Médiévale de Saint-Antoine
Village médiéval de Saint-Antoine-l'Abbaye
Village de Saint-Antoine-l'Abbaye, 38160 Saint-Antoine-l'Abbaye