Les Heures Historiques de Sully-sur-Loire

Les Heures Historiques: An Immersive Journey Through the Centuries

Created in 2007 under the name "Heures Médiévales" (Medieval Hours), the festival quickly expanded its scope to become Les Heures Historiques de Sully, a unique multi-period event in France. Every May, the Sully-sur-Loire Castle departmental park, a medieval fortress bordered by the Loire River and a UNESCO World Heritage site, transforms into a true time machine.

A Journey from Prehistory to the 20th Century

Nearly 1,200 to 1,500 volunteer reenactors from France and Europe set up their camps on the vast castle lawns. Visitors journey through the ages as they wander: prehistoric people, Roman garrisons, medieval knights, Louis XIV's musketeers, soldiers of the French Revolution, figures from the First and Second Napoleonic Empires, pioneers of the American Westward Expansion, combatants from the two World Wars and the conflicts in Indochina, Korea, Algeria, and Vietnam, right up to the 1960s.

Activities for the Whole Family

The program offers a wealth of activities: a grand costumed parade through the town streets on Saturday morning, battle reenactments, knightly combat and sword duels, cannon and rifle firing demonstrations, falconry shows, historical dances, street performances, and musical entertainment. A large multi-period market allows visitors to discover ancient crafts, while numerous food stalls and restaurants offer medieval meals and local specialties.

An Exceptional Setting by the Loire

The Sully-sur-Loire Castle, an imposing 14th and 15th-century fortress surrounded by a moat, provides a spectacular natural backdrop for this event. Once the residence of Duke de Sully, minister to Henry IV, the castle is managed by the Loiret Department. During the festival, the castle courtyard is open free of charge to all visitors, and access to the interior rooms is free for those in full costume.

A Free and Accessible Event

Admission to the festival is completely free, as are the parking facilities. Thousands of spectators gather each year to experience this immersive and friendly event. The sound and light show and the fireworks display on Saturday evening beautifully conclude the festival's first day. The public is warmly invited to come in costume to fully participate in this celebration of living history.