Provins Medieval Festival – A lovely event near Paris
10 – 11 June 2023
Basic Information
When: 10 – 11 June 2023
Where: Provins, France
Festival Website: provins-medieval.com
Hotels: Hotels in Provins
About Provins Medieval Festival
In the French Champagne region and just an hour by car from Paris, Provins holds its Medieval Festival two days in June every year.
A wonderful celebration of the Middle Ages that takes over the whole town.
Our visit to this festival was fantastic; you almost felt like going 800 years back in time.
The festival is good, and the whole little town of Provins is exciting and has a friendly and relaxing atmosphere.
Provins Medieval Festival is a well-organized, fun, exciting event that we highly recommend visiting.
Expect some spectacular entertainment.
The events and attractions that have delighted regular enthusiasts for more than thirty years are the tremendous Medieval Ball, an exuberant main parade, banquets and historical re-enactments.
You can also look forward to performances from musicians, jesters and acrobats who flock to Provins from all across Europe.
You can read the complete programme on the Festival’s website.
Eating and drinking
There’s no shortage of cute pavement cafes on every Provins corner – a seat on the main square is perfect if you want to grab a glass of wine and people-watch.
Try a thirst-quenching cup of apple cider – but don’t go for a full bottle if you’re planning on exploring Provins’ towers and secret stairways.
There’s a choice of restaurants from bargain to budget-busting, or you could keep your cash under control by buying snacks from the colourful street stalls.
What to wear for the Festival
Some festival-goers enter into the spirit of the Middle Ages, suspending their 21st-century lives for a couple of days of living in a medieval tent outside the town’s magnificent ramparts.
This could be as simple as little girls dressed in their favourite Fairy Princess costume or grown men looking slightly uncomfortable in itchy wool leggings and fancy hats.
Some ladies go out with elaborate brocaded dresses and saucy tavern wench ensembles.
As the town’s website says, ‘costumes of fantastic inspiration are accepted’ – so let your imagination run wild.
Accommodation and Hotel Tips
The Provins area has many accommodation options – hotels, campgrounds, bed and breakfasts – but they all book up fast for this weekend.
So you’ll need to be quick to find a place to stay in the town itself.
During our stay at the Provins Medieval Festival, we were lucky to get a room at Cesar Hotel in the centre.
The hotel is modern with perfect service and great rooms.
An other good option is Aux Vieux Remparts .
It’s a cosy hotel with Spa and a lovely backyard restaurant.
If it’s full, try nearby villages.
Fortunately, Provins is surrounded by attractive towns and villages.
Within a short drive of Provins, you find Melun and Collemiers that are good alternatives.
How to get here
Just an hour by car from Paris.
Train from Paris takes 1 hour and 25 minutes.
Weather in Provins
This part of France has a climate that can range from downright chilly in winter to stifling heat at the height of summer.
If you do dress up, don’t go for full armour and drink plenty of water at the free water stations scattered through the town.
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