Les Médiévales de Rouen
Rouen travels back to the time of knights and Joan of Arc
About Médiévales de Rouen
Les Médiévales de Rouen: When the Norman Capital Relives the Middle Ages
Every year, at the end of May, Rouen travels back in time. Les Médiévales de Rouen, organized as part of the Joan of Arc Festivals, transform the city's historic center into a vast open-air medieval theater. From the cobbled streets of the old town to the surroundings of the majestic Notre-Dame Cathedral, via the Saint-Ouen Abbey and the Place du Vieux-Marché where Joan of Arc was burned on May 30, 1431, every corner of the ducal city vibrates to the rhythm of the Middle Ages.
An Immersive Journey into History
Les Médiévales de Rouen are not just a show: it's an immersive experience that mobilizes the entire city. Over 200,000 visitors flock each year to discover a rich program that combines historical reenactment, performing arts, and entertainment for all audiences.
Artistic Troupes and Reenactment
Dozens of artistic troupes and performance companies take over the squares and parvises to offer equestrian jousts, knight combats, medieval fencing demonstrations, falconry shows, and theatrical performances. Artisans – blacksmiths, potters, tanners, calligraphers – recreate ancestral crafts before a captivated audience.
A Thriving Medieval Market
The medieval market brings together dozens of stalls offering handcrafted items, jewelry, decorative swords, Celtic and medieval-inspired jewelry, illuminations, and history books. Medieval taverns offer mead, ale, and feasts inspired by medieval cuisine.
Festival Highlights
Among the unmissable moments of the Médiévales: the evening medieval balls, the spectacular pyrotechnic show on the Saint-Sever meadow visible from both banks of the Seine, and the grand parade in period costumes that crosses the city center from the cathedral to Saint-Sever, bringing together thousands of costumed participants in an exceptionally large procession. A grand costume contest rewards the most beautiful medieval and fantasy outfits.
Joan of Arc, the Guiding Figure
The Médiévales are part of the Joan of Arc Festivals, which commemorate the martyrdom of the Maid of Orléans in Rouen in 1431. The figure of Joan of Arc is omnipresent: reenactments of her trial, exhibitions, musical performances dedicated to her story, and moments of remembrance on the Place du Vieux-Marché. The city of Rouen, which preserves exceptional medieval heritage – half-timbered houses, the Gros-Horloge, the Palais de Justice, the Aître Saint-Maclou – offers a historical setting of rare authenticity for this celebration.
Médiévales de Rouen — edition 2026
The 5th edition of the Rouen Medieval Festival took place from Thursday, May 14 to Saturday, May 16, 2026, as part of the Joan of Arc Festivities. Three days of medieval immersion in the historic center of the Norman capital, with over 150 participants, three medieval markets, a grand final parade, pyrotechnic shows, a medieval ball, and a free concert by Laurent Voulzy at Saint-Ouen Abbey to close the event.
2026 Edition — May 14 to 16
The 5th edition of the Rouen Medieval Festival took place from Thursday, May 14 to Saturday, May 16, 2026, in the historic center of Rouen, as part of the 2026 Joan of Arc Festivities. Organized by the association Les Vitrines de Rouen with the support of the City of Rouen, the edition brought together over 150 participants and spread its activities across the main squares and pedestrian streets of the city center.
New for 2026
- Medieval and Fantasy Literary Market on Place de la Pucelle — new this year
- Comic Book Exhibition « Cauchon… or the man who killed Joan of Arc » at the Hôtel de Bourgtheroulde, with author meetings
- Parade « The Wolf's Breath » by Compagnie Ephéméria Circus, featuring a giant articulated wolf
- Urban Escape Game centered around Joan of Arc, offered on May 14, 15, and 16 at 2 PM and 4:30 PM
- Cultural Jogging following in the footsteps of Joan of Arc (fast walking version possible)
Three Medieval Markets
The medieval markets were open on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday from 10:30 AM to 7 PM at four locations:
- Esplanade Marcel-Duchamp (Beaux-Arts)
- Place de la Cathédrale
- Rue Jeanne-d'Arc
- Place de la Pucelle (literary market)
Activities by District
- Square Verdrel — Medieval camp, mini-farm, skill games (chamboule-tour, menhir throwing)
- Place du Vieux-Marché — Craft demonstrations (dyeing, heraldry, weaving, forging, wood turning)
- Cathédrale District — Stained glass workshops for children, carillon concerts, virtual reality workshop
- Saint-Sever — Living camp, participatory medieval combat, medieval ball
Free Transport
The Rouen Normandie Métropole declared the Astuce network (bus, metro, tramway) free from Thursday, May 14 to Saturday, May 16, and Rue Jeanne-d'Arc was pedestrianized for the entire duration of the festivities.
Programme Médiévales de Rouen 2026
Thursday, May 14, 2026
- 10:30 AM — Opening of the three medieval markets (Esplanade Marcel-Duchamp, Place de la Cathédrale, Rue Jeanne-d'Arc, Place de la Pucelle)
- All Day — Theatrical and musical strolls by companies in the city center
- All Day — Creative workshops for children on Place du Vieux-Marché (flower crowns, coats of arms, weaving, wood turning)
- 10 AM - 6 PM — Comic Book Exhibition « Cauchon… or the man who killed Joan of Arc », Hôtel de Bourgtheroulde
- 2 PM and 4:30 PM — Urban escape game following in the footsteps of Joan of Arc
- All Day — Craft demonstrations on Place du Vieux-Marché (dyeing, heraldry, weaving, forging, wood turning)
Friday, May 15, 2026
- 10:30 AM - 7 PM — Medieval markets open
- 10 AM - 6 PM — Comic Book Exhibition at the Hôtel de Bourgtheroulde
- 2 PM and 4:30 PM — Urban escape game
- All Day — Children's workshops, artisan demonstrations, participatory medieval combat in Saint-Sever
- 7 PM — Medieval ball in Saint-Sever
- 9 PM — Pyrotechnic show « Pagan Club » by Rhésus and Compagnie Ephéméria Circus, Hôtel de Ville forecourt (jugglers, dancers, fire-breathers, percussion and bagpipes)
Saturday, May 16, 2026
- 10:30 AM - 7 PM — Medieval markets open
- 10 AM - 6 PM — Comic Book Exhibition at the Hôtel de Bourgtheroulde
- 2 PM and 4:30 PM — Urban escape game (last sessions)
- 5:30 PM — Departure of the grand final parade from Place Saint-Sever: troops, companies, and associations in a « medieval and fantasy » parade (stilt walkers, musicians, dancers, Joan of Arc and her companions in arms, fantastic creatures, theater companies, accompanied by bagpipes, oboes, sagattes, and percussion)
- ~6:30 PM — Arrival of the parade at Square Verdrel
- Evening — Medieval ball
- 8:30 PM — Free closing concert by Laurent Voulzy, Saint-Ouen Abbey (fully booked)
Highlights Médiévales de Rouen 2026
- Three days of free activities in the historic center (May 14-16, 2026)
- Over 150 participants — reenactors, companies, artisans
- Four medieval markets, including a new literary market on Place de la Pucelle
- Pyrotechnic show « Pagan Club » on Friday, May 15 at 9 PM, Hôtel de Ville forecourt
- Grand final parade on Saturday, May 16 at 5:30 PM with a giant articulated wolf
- Free concert by Laurent Voulzy at Saint-Ouen Abbey on Saturday, May 16 at 8:30 PM
- Comic Book Exhibition « Cauchon… or the man who killed Joan of Arc » at the Hôtel de Bourgtheroulde
- Free Astuce public transport for the three days
Prices Médiévales de Rouen 2026
Practical information — Médiévales de Rouen
Practical Information
Access and Transport
By car: Rouen is accessible via the A13 from Paris (130 km, approx. 1h30) and via the A28/A29 from the north. Park-and-ride facilities with shuttle services to the city center.
By train: Rouen-Rive-Droite station, served by direct trains from Paris-Saint-Lazare (1h15 to 1h30). The historic center is a 10-minute walk from the station.
By metro/bus: The Astuce network serves the entire Rouen metropolitan area.
Location
Historic center of Rouen: Notre-Dame Cathedral, Place du Vieux-Marché, Saint-Ouen Abbey, pedestrian streets of the city center, Saint-Sever meadow (fireworks display).
Schedule
Activities take place during the day and evening throughout the three days of the festival. Medieval balls are held in the evening (7:30 PM - 8:30 PM). The fireworks display is scheduled for Friday at 10:30 PM.
Prices
Free entry and accessible to all for all street activities, the medieval market, and the parade. Some special shows may be ticketed (concerts indoors).
Practical Tips
- Come in costume! The costume contest rewards the best outfits.
- The giant Saturday parade is the unmissable highlight.
- Enjoy the fireworks display from the banks of the Seine for a breathtaking view.
- The city center is pedestrianized during the festivities: use public transport.
Festival-goer photos
No photo yet. Share yours!
Share your photos
5 photos max, 5 MB per photo (JPG, PNG, WebP)
Vous avez repéré une erreur ou une information manquante ?
Aidez-nous à garder cette fiche à jour. Toute proposition est relue par notre équipe avant publication.
Festival-goer reviews
No rating yet — be the first!
No review yet. Be the first!
Were you there?
Share your experience with the community
Where does it take place — Médiévales de Rouen
Centre historique de Rouen
Place de la Cathédrale, 76000 Rouen