Médiévales Loing et Orvanne

Moret-sur-Loing, a royal city at the gateway to Burgundy

Moret-sur-Loing, once a border town between the Kingdom of France and the Duchy of Burgundy, boasts a remarkable medieval heritage: two fortified gates (the Porte de Samois and the Porte de Bourgogne), a 12th-century keep, a medieval bridge spanning the Loing, the Notre-Dame church, and cobblestone streets lined with historic houses. It is within this exceptional backdrop that the Médiévales Loing et Orvanne, a participatory medieval festival established in 2022, takes place.

A festival powered by the community

The Médiévales Loing et Orvanne stands out for its participatory spirit. More than twenty-five associations, schools, youth centers, and volunteer groups from the Moret-Loing-et-Orvanne area work together to bring the festival to life: crafting costumes, building sets, rehearsing performances, and setting up the artisan village. For one weekend, locals become extras, artisans, musicians, storytellers, or medieval cooks.

Artisan village and medieval craftsmanship

At the heart of the festival, the artisan village recreates the trades of the Middle Ages. Blacksmiths working at the forge, weavers crafting linen, tanners preparing leather, goldsmiths chiseling jewelry, and medieval cooks preparing period recipes create a vivid, immersive scene. Guided demonstrations offer a fascinating look at the skills and techniques of the past.

Nautical jousting, equestrian shows, and a royal procession

The nautical jousting on the Loing is a festival highlight, featuring inter-municipal teams competing on the river in spectacular tournaments. Equestrian shows bring the art of chivalry to life with acrobatics, weapons handling, and armored parades. The royal procession winds through the city streets, accompanied by musicians, banner-bearers, and medieval dancers, before heading to the square for the grand banquet featuring historical recipes.

Storytelling, early music, and mystery

The festival's cultural program celebrates early music, theater, and the art of storytelling. Troubadours, minstrels, and medieval music ensembles perform open-air concerts in squares and courtyards. Tales and fables are recounted in gardens and hidden corners. A giant medieval Cluedo invites participants to solve a mystery throughout the town, blending gaming, history, and heritage discovery.