Provins Medieval Festival – A lovely event near Paris
13 – 14 June 2020 (Cancelled)
13 – 14 June 2020 (Cancelled)
Provins, in the French Champagne region and just an hour by car from Paris, holds its Medieval Festival two days in June every year.
A wonderful celebration of all things from the Middle Ages, that takes over the whole town.
Our visit to this festival was just amazing and you almost felt like going 800 years back in time.
Not only that the festival is good, but the whole little town Provins is exciting and has a friendly and relaxing atmosphere.
Provins Medieval Festival is a well organized, fun and exciting event that we highly recommend to visit.
The events and attractions that have delighted regular aficionados for more than thirty years are the fabulous 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.
The full programme can be read on the Festival’s website.
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 flagon 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.
Some festival-goers really 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.
They’re selling wares such as helmets, leather goods, other arts and crafts and even medieval ice cream and medieval sandwich snacks.
As you might have guessed, this festival is not obsessed with authenticity. Anyone who arrives in some kind of costume gains reduced-cost entry.
This could be as simple as little girls dressed up in their favourite Fairy Princess costume, or grown men looking slightly uncomfortable in itchy wool leggings and fancy hats.
Some ladies go all out with elaborate brocaded dresses and saucy tavern wench ensembles.
So if you hanker after dressing up as a Knights Templar, a whole family of barbarians, or a steam-punk Robin Hood, no-one will call you out on the lack of realism of your outfit.
As the town’s website says, ‘costumes of fantastic inspiration are accepted’ – so let your imagination run wild.
When: 13 – 14 June 2020 (Cancelled)
Where: Provins, France
Festival Website: provins-medieval.com
Hotels: Hotels in Provins
The Provins area has many accommodation option – hotels, campgrounds, bed and breakfasts – but for this weekend they all book up fast.
So you’ll need to be quick to find a place to stay in the town itself.
At our stay for the Provins Medieval Festival, we was lucky to get a room at Cesar Hotel in the centre.
Modern, perfect service and great rooms.
Fortunately, Provins is surrounded by attractive towns and villages.
Within a short drive of Provins you find Melun and Collemiers that are good alternatives.
Just an hour by car from Paris.
Train from Paris takes 1 hour and 25 minutes.
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.