Medieval Festival of Saint-Sauveur-le-Vicomte

Two days at the castle on August 14th and 15th, 2026

The Saint-Sauveur-le-Vicomte Medieval Festival returns on Friday, August 14th, and Saturday, August 15th, 2026. Organized by the Vikings et Vicomtes association, the event spans the entire medieval castle site: the upper courtyard, the lower courtyard, the Pommiers orchard, and the hospice meadow, nestled within the old moats and walls of one of the finest military ruins in the Cotentin region. The event opens on Friday, August 14th, at 12:00 PM and runs until 10:00 PM; on Saturday, August 15th, it is open from 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM.

Theme: The 14th and 15th centuries

This edition invites visitors to discover the 14th and 15th centuries. Three reenactment camps are spread across the site, bringing daily life from that era to the present: the L'épée d'Aymeric troupe occupies the upper courtyard, Lez Nominoë 1360 the lower courtyard, and Alt'Eras the hospice meadow. Throughout the two days, reenactors will showcase a 15th-century printing press, the arming of a knight, medieval measurement tools—such as the thirteen-knot rope, the yardstick, and the carpenter's square—as well as cooking and a forge where you can follow the journey from ore to knife. Knight training sessions take place in the upper courtyard several times a day.

Siege engines, combat, and equestrian acrobatics

The hospice meadow is the hub for major performances. The Chimères et Singulières company presents their equestrian show Sòl & Màni twice daily, followed by a series of knight combat demonstrations. The trebuchet, a fully functional siege engine, is put into action in the late afternoon, complemented by sling-shot demonstrations in the lower courtyard.

Music, storytelling, and theater

The L'Archanteur company and harpist Elisa Nicotra provide the musical backdrop across the castle grounds, joining forces on Friday evening for a joint concert in the upper courtyard starting at 7:30 PM. Theater performances are provided by the companies Gallitrappe le Korrigan, Magnus l'apprenti, and Magnus le Chasseur de Dragon on Friday, and Louarn le Voyageur, Roland du Mont Gambier, and La joute improvisée on Saturday. The keep hosts the "Tell Me About the Castle" storytelling tour several times a day, and a lecture on runes is held on Saturday morning in the Pommiers area, where rune readings are also available. On Friday, the local library will be there to share stories. An open-air mass will be held on Saturday, August 15th, at 10:30 AM in the upper courtyard.

Market and games

A market brings together over sixty artisans across the site, featuring many new items: candles, medieval shoes and accessories, leather goods, and medieval-style drinks and sweets. Traditional games are set up for free access in the Pommiers area. Refreshment stands and medieval food stalls are located in the upper courtyard and the hospice meadow, open for lunch and dinner.

Access and practical information

Admission is free both days. Dogs are welcome if kept on a leash. During the event, the rue du Vieux Château is closed to traffic: parking is recommended at the Espace Sissi de la Lande, rue des Petits Pavés de l'Abbaye, where several spots are available, and the Club Cbanc will guide visitors to the various parking zones. Accessible parking spaces for people with reduced mobility are located on avenue Division Leclerc and rue du Vieux Château.