The largest medieval festival in France in the UNESCO city of Provins
Every year in June, the medieval city of Provins, a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2001, transforms for a weekend into an extraordinary open-air theater. Les Médiévales de Provins, created in 1984, has become over the decades the largest medieval festival in France, attracting over 120,000 visitors from all over France and Europe to relive the excitement of the legendary Champagne Fairs that made Provins famous in the 12th and 13th centuries.
The festival is organized around four immersive universes that allow visitors to discover all facets of medieval life:
A highlight of the festival, the Sunday parade brings together over 700 people in medieval costumes — French and European reenactors, knights, ladies, peasants, merchants, and fantastic creatures — who march 1.5 km through the streets of the upper city. This colorful spectacle, accompanied by musicians and floats, is one of the largest historical reenactment gatherings in Europe.
On Saturday evening, the Place du Châtel transforms into a large open-air ballroom. The traditional medieval ball invites all participants, costumed or not, to dance to the sound of ancient instruments. It is followed by a grand medieval concert that extends the festivities until midnight. The atmosphere is magical, with the illuminated ramparts as a backdrop and hundreds of costumed figures twirling on the cobblestones.
Throughout the weekend, falconry shows, equestrian jousting, combat demonstrations, and street entertainment take place in various locations within the city. Children can try their hand at medieval games — skittles, ring toss, wooden swords — and participate in creative workshops. Over 70 vendors and artisans offer jewelry, pottery, costumes, decorative weapons, and medieval culinary specialties in the festival's taverns and stalls.
Les Médiévales de Provins returns for its 41st edition on June 13 and 14, 2026. The medieval city of Provins, a UNESCO World Heritage site, will once again host the largest medieval festival in France with its four thematic universes, equestrian jousting, a grand parade of 700 costumed participants, and its medieval ball in the Place du Châtel.
On Saturday, festivities will continue until midnight with the traditional medieval ball and the grand medieval concert in the Place du Châtel. On Sunday, the highlight of the show will be the grand costumed parade bringing together over 700 participants — French and European historical reenactment groups, knights, ladies, merchants, and fantastic creatures — in a 1.5 km procession through the upper city.
Over 120,000 visitors are expected for this edition, with entertainment starting at 9:00 AM throughout the city: combat demonstrations, falconry, demonstrator artisans, medieval games for children, taverns, and stalls.
By car: Provins is located about 90 km southeast of Paris. Access via A4 exit Provins or N4/D231. Free parking with free shuttles to the medieval center (every 20 min, Saturday 9:15 AM-12:30 AM, Sunday 9:15 AM-7:00 PM).
By train: Provins station (Transilien line P from Paris-Est, 1h20). The station is a 15-minute walk from the medieval city.
Saturday: 9:00 AM to midnight
Sunday: 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM
Provins Town Hall — Cultural Affairs Department
Hôtel de Ville — CS 60405, 77487 Provins CEDEX
Tel: 01 64 00 39 39
Provins Tourisme: 01 64 60 26 25 — [email protected]
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Cité Médiévale de Provins — patrimoine mondial UNESCO
Cité Médiévale de Provins, 77160 Provins