The Medieval city of Dinan, with its rich heritage, 70 historical monuments, is host to one of the largest medieval fairs in Europe!
Beside the ramparts, medieval fears await: beasts, wolves, brigands, bears...and within a forest: inquisitions, plague, gallows, and a sensational re-enactment of the Tartar invasion repelled by the Russians. Thrills are guaranteed.
You can also stay in the heart of beautiful Dinan. The medieval market invites you to rediscover forgotten tastes, medieval crafts, or attend one of the six jousting tournaments that will take place in the castle yard over the two days.
“The Great Challenge”
In the “Place du Duc JeanIV”, witness the wonderful adventures of proud knights in their beautiful armour. It will take your breath away!
The Cowprod Group (North)present their knight’s tournaments with the Duke of Brittany and the English Black Prince centre stage. To please the women folk, the noblest and bravest knights show their strength, dexterity and bravery.
Participate in this Fête. Ladies prepare your colours and support your heroes. Games, jousts and combats will decide who is the bravest! May the best man win!
Saturday: 2:30PM, 5PM, 9PM
Sunday: 2PM, 4PM, 6PM
* Discover the true stories of wolves, from the Balladeers of the Silver Valley (Ile et Vilaine)
* In the forest, Julia a beautiful 10year old bear and Valentin 18 month old baby-bear, mix humour and emotion for everyone’s pleasure (Atchaka Company, Loiret).
* In the adjacent open field, listen to the tale of the Beauty encountering the Beast (Avalon Productions, Mayenne)…
* ”The Big Fear Little Theatre Company” invites you to shiver in fear at wolf footprints, a tarantula hanging from a fine thread or shadows played by pale moonlight (Irmnsel, Moselle)
* The reckless, take care! The footpads of the Coetquen Brotherhood look out for those who wander in the Forest!!! (Cotes d’Armor)
* At the village entrance armed men are on watch,surveying those entering and warning of dangers to those who leave (Lys et Lion 1364, Seine et Marne).
* Courageous soldiers protect the village (Ar Gwadf, Cotes d’Armor)
* The peasants of Etable (stable) live peacefully protected by a wooden fence, (Côtes d’Armor)
* Pepiloue and his gaggle of 50 geese wander peacefully in the village under the watchful eye of a cleverly trained dog
* The blacksmith, Simon Pellequer, and his work
* Beggars look out for a good victim?
* Minstrels liven up the village *Dancers from the Maisne Fortress share the joy of German, Pavannes and other ancient dances
Discover the mediaeval farce of the Stock Theatre, dazzling and welcoming, from an epoch full of colour. Assist a performance by a surprisingly modern comic widow full of earthy and outrageous remarks.
Music, dance and juggling from the Middle Ages, showing the links between Celtic and Arab-Andalusian culture, and those along the Mediterranean coast.
Stroll along streets bordered by shops and merchants selling cheap rubbish and discover a mediaeval steam room, a seedy establishment, but with irreproachable hygiene. Amongst the banquets, plants and this steam room, evolves all sorts of life.
Next to Saint Saviour’s Church lies the English Garden and the “Life and Death Theatre”. A place to plunge into the hereafter, without fear of sickness, and succeed in conquering the passage of time…
Hide to avoid the business of the famous Italian inquisition! This terrible court could easily condemn heretics.
Mistrust is everywhere. Nobody who looks suspicious is safe from being denounced.
The gallows are close by. Exposed to public view. Approach Montfaucon and listen to his story.
The plague stricken hang around the cemetery selling perfume and relics. There are Police, who in principle, are there to prevent one’s approach.
Happily there’s medicine to overcome the stench. Listen! Look at those two bizarre people. Maestro Hora, time master and his assistant Fidelius. They talk of gold, love, power and above all the inexorable passage of time…Live for the Day!
Follow the steps of the Grande Dame in her macabre dance, beside duchesses, yokels, children…
You will be transfixed by the penetrating music of the Iberian peninsula, with its taste of the present time.
Rigourden dancers perform ancient dances in Dinan’s streets. The gargoyles of the Saint Sauveur come back to life.
Fighters from the Order of the Brotherhood of Karnuthes, cavaliers, and companions of the Unicorn are waiting for you in the Petit Fosses (small moat).