Medieval Festival of Semur-en-Auxois
Medieval festival in the fortified city of Semur-en-Auxois
About Medieval Semur
Semur-en-Auxois, medieval jewel of Burgundy
Semur-en-Auxois is one of the most beautiful medieval cities in Burgundy, perched on a pink granite rocky promontory surrounded by the meanders of the Armançon. Its fortified towers, its ramparts, and its 13th-century Collegial Church of Notre-Dame offer an exceptional natural setting to host a medieval festival. Since 2000, every May, the city dons its medieval colors — standards, flags, and banners — to welcome over 30,000 visitors who come to immerse themselves in the Middle Ages.
A rich and immersive program
The Medieval Festival of Semur-en-Auxois offers a dense and varied program:
- 16 companies of music and street theater animate the city streets with parades, concerts, and shows.
- A medieval market with 60 exhibitors showcases crafts, medieval objects, local products, and original creations.
- Reconstituted encampments allow visitors to discover daily life in the Middle Ages.
- Falconry shows are organized several times a day.
- Combat reenactments and initiations to handling medieval weapons.
- Demonstrations of medieval crafts: blacksmiths, potters, weavers.
- A banquet and a fire show conclude the festivities in the evening.
A festival open to all
Admission to the Medieval Festival of Semur-en-Auxois is free. Visitors are encouraged to come in costume to fully immerse themselves in the medieval atmosphere; a costume can be rented on-site for 5 euros. The event is for all generations, with activities specially designed for children. The cobbled streets, towers, and ramparts of Semur offer an authentic setting that delights young and old alike.
Medieval Semur — edition 2026
The 2026 edition of the Semur-en-Auxois Medieval Festival took place from Friday, May 8 to Sunday, May 10, 2026, in the historic city center, around the Promenade du Rempart and surrounding streets. The program included a medieval craft market with approximately 80 exhibitors from France and Europe, music and street theater companies (Saboï, els Berros de la Cort, Prima Nocta, Les Gueules de Loup, Vagus animis), falconry shows, combat reenactments, craft demonstrations, and a medieval banquet at Place Notre-Dame.
Three days of festivities in the fortified city
The 2026 edition of the Semur-en-Auxois Medieval Festival took place from Friday, May 8 to Sunday, May 10, 2026, in the historic center. On Friday, May 8 at 5 PM, children opened the festivities with a grand costumed parade, followed by the opening of the medieval market. On Saturday, May 9, the festival was in full swing from 10 AM to 11 PM, and on Sunday, May 10 from 10 AM to 7 PM.
Medieval market and companies
Approximately 80 exhibitors from France and Europe took over the Promenade du Rempart and surrounding streets to offer crafts, medieval objects, local products, and original creations. Several music and street theater companies enlivened the city squares: Saboï (and its large trumpets), els Berros de la Cort (Catalan group), Prima Nocta (Belgian formation), Les Gueules de Loup (Breton ensemble), and Vagus animis.
Activities and shows
On the weekend program: historical strolls through the medieval streets, troubadours and jugglers, jousts, combat and chivalric demonstrations, grand costumed parades for young and old, falconry shows organized several times a day, medieval craft demonstrations (blacksmiths, potters, weavers), combat reenactments, and introductions to weapon handling.
Medieval banquet at Place Notre-Dame
As every year, a medieval banquet was organized at Place Notre-Dame. This themed meal, by reservation, was accompanied by various activities allowing guests to immerse themselves in the atmosphere of the era.
Programme Medieval Semur 2026
Friday, May 8, 2026
- 5:00 PM — Opening of festivities: grand costumed parade for children
- From 5:00 PM — Opening of the medieval market (Promenade du Rempart)
Saturday, May 9, 2026 (10 AM - 11 PM)
- Medieval market (~80 exhibitors), Promenade du Rempart and surrounding streets
- Historical strolls through the medieval streets
- Troubadours, jugglers, and music companies: Saboï, els Berros de la Cort, Prima Nocta, Les Gueules de Loup, Vagus animis
- Jousts, combat, and chivalric demonstrations
- Falconry shows (several sessions throughout the day)
- Medieval craft demonstrations: blacksmiths, potters, weavers
- Grand costumed parades
- Medieval banquet at Place Notre-Dame (by reservation)
Sunday, May 10, 2026 (10 AM - 7 PM)
- Medieval market (continued)
- Medieval music concerts and street shows
- Jousts, combat, and chivalric demonstrations
- Falconry shows
- Craft demonstrations
- Grand costumed parades
Highlights Medieval Semur 2026
- Medieval market with approximately 80 exhibitors from France and Europe
- Music companies: Saboï, els Berros de la Cort, Prima Nocta, Les Gueules de Loup, Vagus animis
- Falconry shows several times a day
- Jousts, combat, and chivalric demonstrations
- Grand opening costumed parade by children (Friday 5 PM)
- Medieval banquet at Place Notre-Dame (by reservation)
- Free entry to the historic center
Prices Medieval Semur 2026
Practical information — Medieval Semur
Practical Information
Location: Historic center of Semur-en-Auxois
Date: A weekend in May (Friday, Saturday, Sunday)
Price: Free admission. Costume rental: 5 euros.
Access: Semur-en-Auxois is located about 65 km northwest of Dijon, accessible via the A6 (Bierre-lès-Semur exit) or the D980. Free parking on the outskirts of the city.
Contact: Office de Tourisme Terres d'Auxois — Tel: 03 80 97 05 96 — www.terres-auxois.fr
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Where does it take place — Medieval Semur
Centre historique de Semur-en-Auxois
Promenade du Rempart, 21140 Semur-en-Auxois