Les Médiévales du Malzieu
The great medieval festival of Margeride in Lozère
About Médiévales du Malzieu
A medieval city that comes back to life
Each year, the village of Malzieu-Ville, a 12th-century fortified city nestled in the heart of Margeride in Lozère, goes back in time for a long weekend. The Médiévales du Malzieu are more than just a themed festival: it is a true immersion into the world of the Middle Ages, driven by history enthusiasts, street artists, and exceptional artisans.
A rich and varied program
For three days, the cobbled streets and ramparts of Malzieu come alive to the rhythm of musicians, jugglers, jesters, storytellers, and singers. The grand medieval market brings together dozens of exhibitors offering artisanal objects, forged weapons, period costumes, jewelry, and local products. The medieval camps set up in the city allow visitors to discover daily life in the Middle Ages: blacksmithing, cooking, illumination, calligraphy, and sword fighting.
The Quest for the Grail
The central theme of the festival, The Quest for the Grail is an immersive and participatory adventure that takes visitors through the alleys of the city. Riddles, challenges, and encounters with costumed characters punctuate this fun journey accessible to all ages.
Shows and entertainment
The program includes equestrian shows and horse acrobatics, open-air theater performances, medieval combat demonstrations, and a grand costume parade that crosses the city. Participatory workshops allow children and families to learn about medieval arts.
A 2025 edition dedicated to medieval women
The 13th edition, held from May 30 to June 1, 2025, honored medieval women, exploring their essential role in medieval society through the theme of solidarity, transmission, and female determination. The show OREADE, combining equestrian acrobatics and poetic staging, was one of the highlights of this edition.
An exceptional heritage setting
Malzieu-Ville offers an ideal natural and architectural setting for this event. Its medieval ramparts, its towers, its narrow streets, and its old houses form an authentic backdrop that fully contributes to the magic of the festival. Located at the gates of Margeride and the land of the Beast of Gévaudan, the city also offers a remarkable panorama of the surrounding mountains.
An accessible and friendly event
Access to the site and parking are free. Medieval costumes can be rented on-site at the Ateliers de Jehanne starting from €8 for the weekend, allowing everyone to blend into the atmosphere. Food stalls offer dishes inspired by medieval cuisine as well as Lozère specialties.
Médiévales du Malzieu — edition 2026
14th Edition: « The Community of Ladies »
From May 15 to 17, 2026, the Médièvales du Malzieu celebrated their 14th edition in the heart of the fortified city of Malzieu-Ville. The theme of this edition, « The Community of Ladies », honored the essential role of women in medieval society — queens, female knights, healers, craftswomen, builders, or peasant women — encompassing power, knowledge, transmission, and courage.
Drakonia — Drania, the origin of the flame
Headlining the evenings of Friday, May 15 and Saturday, May 16 at 9 PM, the nocturnal show Drakonia offered an immersive experience combining fire, magic, and legendary creatures: dance, pyrotechnic effects, flaming swords, fireballs, and flaming fans. Paid show (HelloAsso ticketing).
Encampments and Troupes
Numerous encampments brought medieval daily life back to life, notably with La Garde du Cerf Ailé, Heimr Mogrir (Vikings), Les Bâtisseurs d'Antan, Les Compagnons de Panaveyre, Le Chevalier Solitaire, and La Femme Chèvre. On stage and for street performances: Les Dernières Amazones (choreographed fights), Soñj (music), La Giostra (Italian troupe), alongside musicians, jugglers, jesters, storytellers, and singers.
Medieval Market and Artisans
The grand medieval market gathered dozens of exhibitors: pottery, glass blowing, weaving, basketry, forged weapons, jewelry, and local Lozère products. Live reenactments also highlighted traditionally feminine activities (weaving, embroidery, cooking, preparation of medicinal plants).
Family Activities
Young and old alike could enjoy La Cavale (horse riding), La Cage à Écureuils (medieval carousel), workshops for making clothes and natural dyes, as well as a grand treasure hunt through the village streets from Friday 2:30 PM to Saturday 7 PM.
A Costumed City
Ateliers de Jehanne offered on-site rental of medieval costumes starting from €8 for the weekend, allowing everyone to immerse themselves in the atmosphere of the Malzéviens of yesteryear.
Programme Médiévales du Malzieu 2026
Friday, May 15, 2026
- Opening of the grand medieval market and encampments
- 2:30 PM — Launch of the grand treasure hunt through the city (until Saturday 7 PM)
- Afternoon — Grand costumed opening parade with music
- Street performances: Soñj, La Giostra, Les Dernières Amazones, musicians, jugglers, storytellers, and jesters
- 9 PM — Drakonia — Drania, the origin of the flame: nocturnal fire and magic show (paid, €15)
Saturday, May 16, 2026
- Medieval market, living encampments (La Garde du Cerf Ailé, Heimr Mogrir, Les Bâtisseurs d'Antan, Les Compagnons de Panaveyre…) and craft artisans all day long
- Street shows, choreographed fights by Les Dernières Amazones, musical street performances
- Children's activities: La Cavale (horse riding), La Cage à Écureuils (medieval carousel), clothing and natural dye workshops
- 7 PM — End of the grand treasure hunt
- 9 PM — Drakonia — Drania, the origin of the flame: 2nd performance (paid, €15)
Sunday, May 17, 2026
- Medieval market, encampments, and artisans
- Street shows, popular science conferences by female historians and archaeologists on the role of ladies in the Middle Ages
- Children's activities, participatory workshops
- Closing of the 14th edition in the late afternoon
Program communicated based on elements published by the organizer (Comité d'animation du Canton du Malzieu) and partner portals (Lozère Tourisme, Mediefest, culture.lozere.fr). All detailed times of the official program are not reproduced here; the full brochure was available on the official website.
Highlights Médiévales du Malzieu 2026
- 14th edition on the theme « The Community of Ladies » dedicated to women of the Middle Ages
- Nocturnal show Drakonia — Drania, the origin of the flame on Friday, May 15 and Saturday, May 16 at 9 PM
- Grand medieval market, craft artisans, and numerous living encampments
- Grand costumed opening parade with music
- Grand treasure hunt through the fortified city (Friday 2:30 PM → Saturday 7 PM)
- Children's activities: La Cavale (horse riding), La Cage à Écureuils (medieval carousel), workshops
- Free access and parking, costume rental on site starting from €8
Prices Médiévales du Malzieu 2026
Practical information — Médiévales du Malzieu
Access
Malzieu-Ville is located in the north of Lozère, in the heart of Margeride, 35 km from Saint-Flour and 55 km from Mende.
- By car: From Mende, follow the N88 then the D989 towards Le Malzieu-Ville (about 50 minutes). From Saint-Flour, take the D989 (about 30 minutes). From Clermont-Ferrand, A75 exit Saint-Flour then D989.
- By train: Nearest stations in Saint-Flour or Mende. No direct public transport link.
Parking
Access and parking are free. Parking areas are set up on the outskirts of the village during the event.
Costumes
For total immersion, the Ateliers de Jehanne offer medieval costume rentals starting from €8 for the whole weekend.
Catering
Food stalls are available on site with medieval cuisine and local specialties. The village shops remain open during the festival.
Contact
Margeride en Gévaudan Tourist Office: 04 66 31 82 73
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Where does it take place — Médiévales du Malzieu
Cité médiévale du Malzieu-Ville
Rue de l'Horloge, 48140 Le Malzieu-Ville