Les Ducales de Guise
Medieval and family festival at the Château Fort de Guise, in the heart of Thiérache
About Ducales de Guise
Created in 2006, Les Ducales de Guise is the medieval festival of the Château Fort de Guise, in Aisne. Organized by the Club du Vieux Manoir with the association Tous Unis Pour Animer Guise and the Ville de Guise, this event brings together reenactment troupes who camp on the site all weekend. Knight combats, medieval crafts, artillery firing, music, period cuisine, equestrian shows, and participatory battles immerse young and old in the heart of the Middle Ages. Since 2024, the festival has been held every two years, alternating with Les Historiales.
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A major medieval festival in the heart of Thiérache
Since 2006, Les Ducales de Guise has become the unmissable event for medieval history enthusiasts in the Aisne department and the Hauts-de-France region. Each edition transforms the majestic Château Fort de Guise, a thousand-year-old fortress overlooking the Oise valley, into a true living medieval village. Reenactment troupes from all over France set up their camps on the site for the entire weekend, offering the public an authentic immersion into the civil and military life of the Middle Ages.
A rich program of activities for the whole family
The Ducales program offers an exceptional range of activities and shows. Knight camps feature sword and lance combat demonstrations, while artillery demonstrations echo with cannon fire within the castle walls. Medieval artisans—working with leather, bone, wood, textiles, and wool—showcase their ancestral skills. Medieval cuisine allows visitors to discover period flavors, while a medieval farm with rabbits and chickens delights the youngest.
Equestrian shows and participatory battles
Equestrian shows and knightly tournaments are the highlights of each edition. Knights in armor clash in spectacular jousts that revive the great tournaments of the Middle Ages. Visitors can also participate in participatory battles with foam weapons, an activity particularly enjoyed by children and families. Medieval music, with its period instruments, accompanies the strolls within the castle grounds.
An exceptional heritage setting
The Château Fort de Guise provides a unique heritage backdrop for this event. Built over a thousand years ago, it was the residence of the powerful Dukes of Guise, one of the most influential families in French history. Saved from ruin since 1952 by the Club du Vieux Manoir, a national public education association recognized as being of public utility, the castle is the subject of permanent restoration work. Les Ducales are part of the association's educational mission: to show, let be heard, touch, smell, see, and live in order to learn, discover, and understand history.
A biennial festival from now on
After annual editions interrupted by the health crisis in 2020 and 2021, Les Ducales de Guise adopted a biennial rhythm starting in 2024. In years without the Ducales, the castle hosts Les Historiales, a new, broader historical cultural event. The next edition of Les Ducales is scheduled from June 19 to 21, 2026, with Friday reserved for school groups and the weekend open to the general public.
Ducales de Guise — edition 2026
Next edition of Les Ducales de Guise, from June 19 to 21, 2026. Medieval festival at the Château Fort de Guise with historical reenactments, knight combats, crafts, artillery, medieval cuisine, equestrian shows, and family activities. Friday will be reserved for school groups, the weekend open to the general public.
Les Ducales de Guise 2026: The Return of the Medieval Festival
After a 2025 year dedicated to Les Historiales, Les Ducales de Guise return from June 19 to 21, 2026, at the Château Fort de Guise. This edition, the first in the new biennial rhythm, promises to revive the tradition of this great medieval and family festival that animates the thousand-year-old fortress of Thiérache.
Friday, June 19 will be dedicated to school groups and educational activities, in line with the public education mission of the Club du Vieux Manoir. Saturday, June 20 and Sunday, June 21 will be open to the general public for a weekend of immersion in the Middle Ages.
The provisional program includes the traditional reenactment camps, knight combat demonstrations, artillery firing, medieval crafts, period cuisine, medieval music, equestrian shows, and participatory battles with foam weapons. The castle visit, free or guided, will complete this day of historical discovery.
The detailed program and final prices will be announced in the spring of 2026 on the official website of the Château Fort de Guise.
Programme Ducales de Guise 2026
Provisional 2026 Program
- Friday, June 19: Welcome of school groups, educational activities
- Saturday, June 20 and Sunday, June 21: Opening to the general public
- Castle visit: free or guided
- Chivalry: Camps, combats, weapon displays
- Artillery: Firing demonstrations
- Medieval crafts: Leather, bone, wood, textiles, wool
- Daily life: Calligraphy, herbalism, medieval games
- Medieval cuisine: Period preparations and meals
- Medieval farm: Animals
- Medieval music: Period instruments and melodies
- Equestrian shows: Knightly tournaments
- Participatory battle: With foam weapons for all
Detailed program to be confirmed in spring 2026.
Highlights Ducales de Guise 2026
- Return of Les Ducales after the year of Les Historiales in 2025
- From June 19 to 21, 2026, at the Château Fort de Guise
- Friday reserved for school groups, weekend open to the general public
- Medieval reenactment camps
- Equestrian shows and knightly tournaments
- Participatory battles with foam weapons
- Crafts, artillery, and medieval cuisine
Prices Ducales de Guise 2026
Practical information — Ducales de Guise
Practical Information
Access
By car: The Château Fort de Guise is located 25 km from Saint-Quentin, 60 km from Valenciennes, and 200 km from Paris. Follow the "Château Fort" signs from the town center of Guise. Small parking available at the Porte Ducale (castle entrance). Free public parking: place de la Poterne, place Lesur, place du Jeu de Paume.
By train: Nearest SNCF stations: Saint-Quentin (25 km), Busigny, or Le Quesnoy. RTA bus line available.
Opening Hours
Friday is reserved for school groups and educational activities. Saturday and Sunday are open to the general public.
2024 Prices
- Full price: €8
- Reduced price: €6 (under 18s, students, job seekers, people with disabilities)
- Free: under 6s
- Family pass: €2 per additional child (3rd to 6th child) with 2 full-price tickets
Accessibility
The site has many steps and is not accessible to people with reduced mobility. Wear good shoes and warm clothing for visiting the dungeons (13°C). Strollers not recommended, baby carrier recommended.
On-site Services
- Dry toilets
- Refreshments and food
- Local products shop
- Medieval cuisine with period meals
- Dogs allowed on a leash
- Picnics allowed in the welcome courtyard
Contact
Phone: 03 23 61 11 76
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.chateaudeguise.fr
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Travel to this festival
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Where does it take place — Ducales de Guise
Château Fort de Guise
Allée Maurice Duton, 02120 Guise