Medieval Festival of Giat

Medieval festival on the Giat castle mound

Giat — Puy-de-Dôme (63) Since 2011
Theatre Medieval Historical Reenactment
Medieval Festival of Giat
Edition
2026
Medievales de Giat

About Medievales de Giat

The Medieval Festival of Giat is a historical reenactment event that takes place on the Giat castle mound, a fortified site from the 11th century in the Combrailles region, northwest of Puy-de-Dôme. Organized over a weekend in July, this festival features a medieval encampment on the castle mound, a medieval banquet on Saturday evening with juggling, fire shows, medieval dances, and music, followed on Sunday by a medieval market, equestrian tournaments, interactive theater, street performances, and permanent activities including giant games, archery, and a tavern. On Sunday evening, the "soup of the beggars" is offered for free. The festival attracts a large audience each year to this commune in the Combrailles.
Dates 11 Jul — 12 Jul 2026
Location Giat (63)
Prices From 0.00€
Status Confirmed
Edition 2026

Medievales de Giat — edition 2026

The Giat Medieval Festival 2026 will take place on Saturday, July 11th and Sunday, July 12th on the motte-and-bailey castle, the largest in Auvergne. The program includes: a medieval encampment, an animated meal with a fire show, an artisan market, equestrian jousts, falconry, and numerous activities.

2026 Edition — July 11th and 12th

The ADATEC association is organizing the Giat Medieval Festival on Saturday, July 11th and Sunday, July 12th, 2026, on the motte-and-bailey castle (Puy-de-Dôme). Reenactments, shows, and activities immerse the public in life in the Middle Ages.

Saturday, July 11th — Opening at 7 PM: medieval encampment on the motte-and-bailey castle and an animated meal (juggling and fire-breathing, medieval songs, dances, and music). Free admission on Saturday evening.

Sunday, July 12th — Opening at 10 AM: medieval market and encampment around the motte all day, equestrian jousts, juggling, and interactive theater at fixed times. Permanent activities: giant games, archery, tavern, and ancient musical strolls between shows. Fast food available on site on Sunday.

Highlights Medievales de Giat 2026

To remember for 2026

  • Dates: July 11th and 12th, 2026
  • Medieval banquet Saturday evening (free)
  • Market, tournaments, and shows on Sunday
  • "Soup of the beggars" offered

Programme Medievales de Giat 2026

Saturday, July 11th

  • 7 PM: opening, medieval encampment on the motte-and-bailey castle
  • Animated meal: juggling and fire-breathing
  • Medieval songs, dances, and music
  • Free admission on Saturday evening

Sunday, July 12th

  • 10 AM: opening of the market and medieval encampment
  • Equestrian jousts (Vikinger troupe)
  • Juggling and interactive theater at fixed times
  • Falconry demonstrations (Les Aigles de Saint-Maurice de Lignon)
  • Fire show and dances (Compagnie Arcadia)
  • Permanent activities: giant games, archery, tavern
  • Ancient musical strolls between shows
  • Fast food on site

Prices Medievales de Giat 2026

Saturday evening: free. Sunday: prices to be confirmed.
Edition 2027

Medievales de Giat — 2027 edition

The 2026 edition was held from 11 July to 12 July 2026. The dates for the 2027 edition have not been announced yet. This page will be updated as soon as the official programme is published.

Practical information

Practical information — Medievales de Giat

Practical Information

Location

Motte castrale, 63620 Giat.

Access

  • By car: Giat is located 60 km northwest of Clermont-Ferrand, accessible via the D941. Parking nearby.

Opening Hours

Saturday from 7 PM (free entry). Sunday from 10 AM until dusk.

Prices

  • Saturday evening: free entry
  • Sunday: €8 (full price), €5 (ages 10-15), free for under 10s

Contact

  • Phone: 04 73 21 70 05
  • Website: medievalesdegiat.sitew.com

The Giat Castle Mound, a Historic Site

The Giat castle mound is a fortified site from the 11th century located in the Combrailles region, northwest of Puy-de-Dôme. This artificial hill, a remnant of an old motte-and-bailey castle, offers an authentic and evocative setting for medieval festivals. Overlooking the village of Giat, it is an ideal location for recreating medieval life and battles.

A Weekend of Medieval Festivities

The Medieval Festival of Giat unfolds over a full weekend. On Saturday evening, festivities begin at 7 PM with an animated medieval banquet: appetizer platters, drinks, juggling shows, fire-eaters, medieval dances with the ARCADIA company (branles and dances), period music, and a grand fire show with flaming props, fire fans, and live music. Saturday evening is free entry.

Medieval Market and Sunday Shows

On Sunday, the site opens at 10 AM with a medieval market and a recreated encampment. The day is filled with equestrian tournaments, juggling and interactive theater performances, historical musical parades between shows, and permanent activities: medieval giant games, archery, and a tavern. Renowned companies provide the shows throughout the day.

The Soup of the Beggars

A popular tradition of the festival, the "soup of the beggars" is offered free to the public on Sunday evening, in a spirit of medieval sharing and conviviality. Fast food is also available throughout Sunday.

Where does it take place — Medievales de Giat

Motte castrale de Giat
Motte castrale, 63620 Giat

Medievales de Giat in brief

Theatre Medieval Historical Reenactment Folklore Family Outdoor Puy-de-Dôme

History of Medievales de Giat

Edition 2025 Jul 2025

Festival-goer reviews

No review yet. Be the first!

No rating yet — be the first!

Were you there?

Share your experience with the community

Your rating (optional)

Have you spotted an error or missing information?

Help us keep this listing up to date. Every suggestion is reviewed by our team before publication.

Contact Medievales de Giat

Festival-goer photos

No photo yet. Share yours!

Share your photos

5 photos max, 5 MB per photo (JPG, PNG, WebP)