The medieval festival of Chinon

Equestrian show, 45 mins, 11.15 am and 4 pm
Foot combat show, 30 mins, 1.30 pm and 6.15 pm
Armour-trying for children between shows

Our legendary Alsatian knights are back in Chinon. With them, entertainment is guaranteed for the whole family! Their jousting tournament is unrivalled in its ability to amaze you and make you laugh at the same time. While they are impressive on horseback, they are equally impressive during their foot combat, a true work of art. Finally, as interaction with their audience is at the heart of their approach, they invite children aged 3 to 15 to try on armour in their size during a show in which they are the stars. Everything they need to go from recruits to true knights of the Royal Fortress of Chinon. 

Continuous camp
Foot combat, 45 mins, 12.15 pm
Cannon firing, 30 mins, 2 pm
Manoeuvres, 35 mins, 3.15 pm
Introduction to archery, 45 mins, 10.15 am, 2.30 pm, 4.45 pm

With them, Auvergne is always present at major medieval festivals. 
Their tents pitched in front of the Royal Lodgings transport you back to a military camp. 
As you wander amongst them, you’ll discover medieval crafts, including dyeing and candle-making, as well as the daily life of 15th-century soldiers. What wonderful smells waft from the kitchen and the tavern… You can also enjoy medieval games or learn everything there is to know about the artillery of that era, before watching the cannon fire. 
The highlights of the manoeuvres and foot combat provide an even greater sense of immersion.

Don’t forget to visit their archer for an introduction to archery!

Strolling performance, 25 mins, 10.00 am and 12.15 pm
Concert, 35 mins, 3.15 pm
Dance, 40 mins, 4.45 pm

Let yourself be swept away by the concerts and strolling performances of these three musicians, who invite you on a journey to the heart of the Middle Ages. You’ll leave with your head full of their melodies! Their repertoire, spanning the 12th to the 15th century, is accompanied by faithfully reconstructed costumes, props and instruments.
The Master of Dance also invites you to share in the festivities by introducing you to lively and convivial medieval dances. A unique experience to be enjoyed against the exceptional backdrop of the Royal Residences.

Show, 35 mins, 10.30am, 2.30pm, 5.30pm

Two jugglers, two talents for a breathtaking show. With their show “ça va passer”, they promise to juggle laughter. And once you’ve seen them, as we have at La Forteresse, you’ll be coming back for more. These two artists take great delight in poking fun at themselves and know exactly how to captivate and keep the audience on the edge of their seats. Two objectives: to make you laugh and to make you laugh! They’re not shy about speaking their minds and will encourage you to do the same. As audience participation is a key feature of their performances, laughter and applause are the order of the day.
Agylus & Ladzo: self-deprecating humour in one hand and juggling props in the other; they talk whilst juggling, or juggle whilst talking – it’s up to you to decide.

Continuously
Workshop by registration, on-site

The artisans of Le Feu Prométhéen from Tours are setting up their forge at the Fortress to introduce us to one of the most fascinating arts of the medieval period. Tekka’s skills in this field, combined with his historical knowledge, make him a specialist in medieval blacksmithing. 
Le Feu Prométhéen also features Juliette and her talent for imparting knowledge. She will provide you with comprehensive explanations of the materials and tools required for various tasks on a construction site. Audience participation is warmly encouraged

Continuously

Once again, there are two of them, but this time they’ve come to us from Brittany. The link between art and craftsmanship has never seemed so strong: they take us on a journey through the process of making colours and pigments in the Middle Ages, right through to the creation of frescoes and murals. Their presentation combines practical demonstrations with educational guidance. For them, medieval painting is a gateway to the imagination and technical rigour of the artisans of the past. Through their guidance, you will experience a journey into the heart of colour and materials.

Continuously
Workshop by registration, on-site

These enthusiasts have set themselves the goal of promoting the passing on of traditional crafts. In Chinon, they put down their tools to talk to you about stone. The very stone without which the Fortress would not exist, but which, without the craftsmen to shape it, would remain rough. Between demonstrations, introductory sessions on stone carving and in-depth explanations about the builders of the Middle Ages, you will never look at the walls of our royal residence in the same way again. Stone engraving workshops are available throughout the three days. 

Continuously
Workshop by registration, on-site

She is known as ‘La Muette’ (the Silent One), but when she shares the secrets of pottery with anyone who stops to listen, she becomes eloquent. Her second talent is creating beautiful objects and inspiring others to do the same. She invites you into her workshop so that, under your fingertips, the clay can take shape. Children become her apprentices for a break from the hustle and bustle of the festival, then leave with their own creations.

- Elsa Millet, illumination and calligraphy; 
- CodexCuir, leather costumes and accessories; 
- Kourgane, historical blown glassware; 
- Des perles de pluie, glass jewellery; 
- L’atelier de la Salamandre, stone coat-of-arms carving, art casting;
- La savonnerie chinonaise, handmade soaps;
- Evanescence, herbal teas and herbal-infused bath salts; 
- L’atelier du potier, pottery; 
- L’or en bois, handcrafted wooden creations; 
- Ignis Art, stained glass craft;
- L’âme du cidre, premium ciders and perries; 
- La grenouille assoiffée, craft beers.