Les Mystères de la Cité
The great medieval and fantasy festival of Lescar
2026
There is no edition scheduled in 2026 for this event. This page remains accessible to archive the history of the manifestation and will be updated if a new edition is announced.
About Les Mystères de la Cité
Les Mystères de la Cité is a medieval and fantasy festival established in 2003, held biennially in September within the historic city of Lescar, the former capital of Béarn. Set around the Cathédrale Notre-Dame and at the foot of the ramparts, the event features a medieval market, historical reenactment camps, a Viking quarter, an arena dedicated to heroic fantasy and role-playing games, a fantasy book fair, as well as dance, circus, and street performance troupes, fire shows, and a sound and light display on the ramparts. Admission is free. The 20th edition took place on September 16th and 17th, 2023, drawing nearly 25,000 spectators, with the 21st edition scheduled for September 20th and 21st, 2025. There is no event in 2026; the next edition is expected in 2027.
Les Mystères de la Cité — edition 2026
ℹ️ No event in 2026. Les Mystères de la Cité takes place every two years in Lescar: the 20th edition was held on September 16th and 17th, 2023, and the 21st edition on September 20th and 21st, 2025, with no event in 2024. The next edition is expected in September 2027. As of mid-August 2026, the City of Lescar has not announced any dates for this year.
No event in 2026
Les Mystères de la Cité is a biennial event held in Lescar. The 20th edition took place on September 16th and 17th, 2023, and the 21st on September 20th and 21st, 2025; there was no event in 2024. The municipal magazine from September 2024 made no mention of the festival, whereas the September 2025 issue featured it as the cover story.
The next edition is therefore expected in September 2027. As of mid-August 2026, the City of Lescar has published neither dates nor a program for 2026: there is nothing in their online calendar, nothing in the July-August 2026 municipal magazine, and nothing on their Facebook page. The festival program was posted on lescar.fr on August 24th in 2023 and August 22nd in 2025; no such equivalent exists for 2026. Meanwhile, the Pau Béarn Pyrénées tourist office still lists only the 2025 edition.
The last edition, in September 2025
On September 20th and 21st, 2025, the 21st edition took over the historic city and the foot of the ramparts, surrounding the Notre-Dame cathedral, which was then undergoing restoration (nearly 110,000 slates to be replaced, a two-year project). Visitors explored four districts to encounter Vikings and the secret forest folk, discovering medieval customs, combat arts in themed encampments, and the Anchorome arena dedicated to heroic fantasy and role-playing games.
The program featured a medieval market with over 80 vendors (artisan crafts, jewelry, leather, linens, decorations, wooden games), 8 historical reenactment camps, over 40 troupes and companies performing dance, circus arts, street theater, and concerts. The Royal Square was dedicated to ancestral skills, featuring a blacksmith, stonemason, hairdresser, and luthier, while the Little Vikings' Square and the Tripot des maudits offered activities for children and families. The book fair brought together over twenty fantasy authors, illustrators, and historians, including Julia Thévenot, Adrien Tomas, and Yann Cozic, in partnership with the Le Parvis bookstore. A grand evening event combined performances, fire shows, music, and dance, culminating in a sound and light show on the ramparts starting at 9:00 PM.
18 dining spots were spread across the site, managed by catering professionals and local associations: the Roasters' Square, two new small squares named Les ventres pleins and Les estomacs vaillants, and three other dining areas within the Cité. Admission is free.
Staying informed
Culture and Heritage Department of the City of Lescar: [email protected], 05 59 81 57 00. Dates and programs are published on lescar.fr and in the municipal magazine, generally in late August of the event year.
Prices Les Mystères de la Cité 2026
Practical information — Les Mystères de la Cité
Practical information
The details below reflect the most recent edition held in September 2025.
Location
Historic city of Lescar (64230), surrounding the Cathédrale Notre-Dame and at the base of the ramparts. The main entrance is via the Chemin de Beneharnum, at the foot of the ramparts.
Admission
Free entry for all activities.
Access and parking
The city encourages the use of public transport or carpooling. Ample parking is available within a 5-minute walk of the entrance. Free shuttle buses operate on Saturday from 6:30 PM to 1:00 AM.
Organizer's tips
The straw-covered ground at the foot of the ramparts is not ideal for strollers; baby carriers or slings are recommended, as is hearing protection.
Dining
There are 18 food and drink stalls on-site, managed by professional caterers and local associations, including the Place des Rôtisseurs.
Contact
Culture and Heritage Department, City of Lescar: [email protected], 05 59 81 57 00. Lescar Tourist Office: 05 59 81 15 98.
A biennial medieval and fantasy festival
Les Mystères de la Cité takes place every two years over a weekend in mid-September in the historic city of Lescar. It is organized by the city's Culture and Heritage department. The 20th edition was held on September 16th and 17th, 2023, attracting nearly 25,000 visitors, and the 21st edition is set for September 20th and 21st, 2025. There was no event in 2024, and there will be none in 2026; the next edition is planned for 2027.
The setting
As the former capital of Béarn, Lescar preserves its Cathédrale Notre-Dame—the oldest building in the region—along with its ramparts and medieval alleys. The festival spans the historic city and extends down to the base of the ramparts. The cathedral has been undergoing renovations since 2025, with a two-year project to replace nearly 110,000 roof slates. The 2025 edition supports the city's fundraising campaign, featuring two stands hosted by Les Amis des Vieilles Pierres and the Fondation du Patrimoine.
The format
The event spans two days with free admission. The site is divided into themed quarters blending historical reenactment with fantasy: living history camps, a medieval market with over 80 vendors, traditional craft workshops, an arena for heroic fantasy and role-playing, a fantasy and history book fair, and various dance, circus, street art, and musical performances. A grand evening event combines shows, fire, music, and dance, culminating in a sound and light display on the ramparts starting at 9:00 PM.
Where does it take place — Les Mystères de la Cité
Les Mystères de la Cité in brief
History of Les Mystères de la Cité
Edition 2025 Sep 2025Other festivals near Lescar
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