Medieval Festival of the Counts of Champagne
Chaumont in the time of the Counts of Champagne
About Medieval Festival of Chaumont
A Dive into the Heart of the Middle Ages in Chaumont
Since its creation in 2013, the Medieval Festival of the Counts of Champagne has established itself as an unmissable event for history enthusiasts and families in Haute-Marne. Organized every two years, alternating with the Grand Pardon de Chaumont, this event transforms the Philippe Lebon square and the surroundings of the Counts of Champagne castle into a true living medieval village. The streets of old Chaumont then resonate with the sound of troubadours, blacksmiths, and armored warriors.
Béhourd Fights and Historical Reenactment
Béhourd, full-armor medieval combat, is one of the festival's highlights. Several historical reenactment companies, including the local troupe Chaumont Béhourd Ordo Noctuarum, offer spectacular demonstrations of weapon handling, jousting, and team fights. Recreated camps allow visitors to discover daily life in the Middle Ages: blacksmithing, stone carving, chainmail making, wool carding, and cooking over a wood fire.
A Village of Artisans and Medieval Stalls
The grand medieval market brings together about forty stands and stalls where artisans and merchants offer their ancestral skills. Blacksmiths, potters, candlemakers, bell founders, basket weavers, weavers, stonemasons, and luthiers demonstrate their period crafts. Visitors can discover and purchase medieval jewelry, decorative weapons, leather goods, artisanal soaps, period clothing, and traditional sweets.
Street Shows and Entertainment
The program includes various street shows throughout the weekend: medieval music groups, period dances, acrobats, jugglers, stilt walkers, fire-eaters, and magicians animate the festival aisles. The fire show on Saturday evening is a highlight of each edition, illuminating the Philippe Lebon square in a magical atmosphere. Historical sketches and costumed parades also punctuate the two days.
A Family and Participatory Event
Numerous activities are specially designed for families and children: wooden game workshops, archery and crossbow initiation, calligraphy and illumination workshops, stained glass creation, flax spinning, and medieval readings for the younger ones. Visitors are encouraged to come in costume to fully experience the immersion in the Middle Ages.
Tavern and Medieval Gastronomy
A medieval tavern offers period food and drinks: hypocras, mead, wood-fired grilled meats, medieval pastries, and local specialties delight visitors' taste buds. On-site catering allows for an extended culinary experience in a friendly and festive atmosphere.
Medieval Festival of Chaumont — edition 2026
5th edition of the Medieval Festival of the Counts of Champagne, organized by the Médiévalys association on Saturday, June 6 and Sunday, June 7, 2026, in Chaumont (Haute-Marne). For this anniversary edition, the free event expands for the first time to two sites: Philippe Lebon square, facing the Château des Comtes de Champagne, and Place des Arts. On the program: historical re-enactment troops, béhourd fights, children's workshops, street performances, costumed parades, a crafts market, and a medieval tavern.
5th Edition on June 6 and 7, 2026 — Expansion to Two Sites
The Médiévalys association, chaired by Alexis Renauld, is organizing the 5th edition of the Medieval Festival of the Counts of Champagne on Saturday, June 6 and Sunday, June 7, 2026. To celebrate this anniversary, the event is leaving its usual perimeter and settling on two sites: the traditional Philippe Lebon square, at the foot of the keep of the Counts of Champagne, as well as the Place des Arts, which hosts theater and dance performances. The shopping streets of the city center are also decorated in the colors of the Middle Ages.
Béhourd, Re-enactment and Combat Arts
Béhourd, medieval combat in full armor, remains one of the highlights of the festival. The local troupe Chaumont Béhourd Ordo Noctuarum presents spectacular demonstrations, following the national tournament it hosted at the Stade des Lavières in April 2026. Re-enactment troops set up their camps on Philippe Lebon square and introduce visitors to daily life in the Middle Ages.
Performances, Artists and Companies Expected in 2026
The 2026 program combines historical companies and street arts. Among the groups and artists announced by the organization:
- La Ligue des Ombres — medieval parkour
- Les Coupeurs de bourses — theater and comic street performance
- Les Artisans du Temps Passé — demonstrations of period crafts
- Baudoin — show "A Hangman's Life"
- Crusader — medieval music
- Rhésus — live performance
- Ephemeria — medieval circus
In addition, fire-eaters, stilt-walkers, dancers, and musicians continuously animate the festival. The Saturday evening fire show illuminates Philippe Lebon square at the close of the first day.
Workshops and Activities for Families
Many activities are offered to children: basketry, calligraphy, crest creation, archery, wooden games. Visitors are encouraged to come in costume to fully experience the medieval immersion.
Medieval Tavern and New Payment System
The medieval tavern offers hypocras, cervoise (medieval beer), wood-fired grilled meats, and period pastries. New for 2026: an innovative system of punched card tickets replaces the usual tokens for payment of consumables. A souvenir medal specific to this 5th edition is also offered to visitors.
Programme Medieval Festival of Chaumont 2026
Saturday, June 6, 2026 — 11 AM to 11 PM
- Opening of the crafts market and re-enactment camps on Philippe Lebon square
- Béhourd combat demonstrations by Chaumont Béhourd Ordo Noctuarum
- Shows and parades: Les Coupeurs de bourses, La Ligue des Ombres (parkour), Baudoin ("A Hangman's Life")
- Theater and dance at Place des Arts: Rhésus, Ephemeria (circus)
- Medieval music concerts: Crusader and other groups
- Continuous children's workshops: basketry, calligraphy, crest creation, archery
- Fire-eaters, stilt-walkers, jugglers, costumed parades
- Evening: grand fire show closing Saturday evening
Sunday, June 7, 2026 — 11 AM to 6:30 PM
- Resumption of activities: medieval market, camps, artisan demonstrations (Les Artisans du Temps Passé)
- Béhourd fights and historical re-enactments
- Street performances: theatrical and musical companies, parkour, fire-eaters, stilt-walkers
- Theater and dance at Place des Arts
- Family workshops throughout the day
- Festival closes at 6:30 PM
Provisional program announced by the Médiévalys association; precise timings for each show not publicly communicated as of the verification date (05/24/2026).
Highlights Medieval Festival of Chaumont 2026
- 5th anniversary edition of the Medieval Festival of the Counts of Champagne
- New for 2026: expansion to two sites (Philippe Lebon square + Place des Arts)
- Completely free entry on Saturday and Sunday
- Béhourd fights by the local troupe Chaumont Béhourd Ordo Noctuarum
- Fire show closing Saturday evening
- Announced companies: La Ligue des Ombres, Les Coupeurs de bourses, Baudoin, Crusader, Rhésus, Ephemeria, Les Artisans du Temps Passé
- New punched card ticket system for tavern consumables
- Special 5th edition souvenir medal
Prices Medieval Festival of Chaumont 2026
Practical information — Medieval Festival of Chaumont
Access
The square Philippe Lebon is located in the center of Chaumont (52000), Haute-Marne, opposite the castle of the Counts of Champagne and at the foot of the historic keep.
- By car: Chaumont is accessible via the A5 motorway (exit Chaumont Nord or Chaumont Sud) from Paris (approx. 2h30) or Troyes (approx. 1h15). From Langres, take the N19 (approx. 35 minutes). From Dijon, take the A31 then the N19 (approx. 1h45). Free parking near the historic center, including the train station parking and downtown parking lots.
- By train: Chaumont SNCF station, served by the TER Grand Est line (Paris-Est — Basel via Troyes). The station is about a 15-minute walk from the square Philippe Lebon. Taxis are available in front of the station.
Prices
Completely free entry for all activities, shows, demonstrations, and the medieval market. Food and drinks at the medieval tavern and purchases from artisan stalls are at the visitors' expense.
Hours
- Saturday: from 11 am to 11 pm (fire show in the evening)
- Sunday: from 11 am to 6:30 pm
Activities, shows, and demonstrations run continuously throughout both days. The fire show takes place on Saturday evening to close the first day.
Frequency
The Medieval Festival of the Counts of Champagne is a biennial event, held every two years, alternating with the Grand Pardon de Chaumont. The next edition will take place on June 6 and 7, 2026.
Practical Advice
- Come in costume to fully experience the medieval atmosphere and blend in
- Wear comfortable shoes for walking around the site all day
- The event takes place outdoors: bring clothing suitable for the weather (hat and sunscreen in case of sun, rain gear in case of showers)
- Medieval catering available on-site at the tavern: hypocras, mead, wood-fired grilled meats, and period pastries
- The site is accessible to people with reduced mobility
- Remember to bring water, especially for children
Contact
Association Médiévalys Chaumont
President: Alexis Renauld
Phone: 06 72 79 26 20
Facebook: Médiévalys Lafauche Chaumont - 52
Event Facebook: Fête médiévale Chaumont
Accommodation
To prepare for your stay, the tourist office La Haute-Marne Respire & Inspire provides information on available accommodation in Chaumont and its surroundings: hotels, B&Bs, gîtes, and campsites. Website: bienvenue-hautemarne.fr
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Where does it take place — Medieval Festival of Chaumont
Square Philippe Lebon
44 avenue Carnot, 52000 Chaumont (siège association) — Square Philippe Lebon et Place des Arts, 52000 Chaumont (lieu de l'événement), 52000 Chaumont