2026 Medieval Festival at Tiffauges Castle, Vendée: re-enactment of a Hundred Years' War siege
Tiffauges relives the Hundred Years' War siege on 26 and 27 September
Three hundred and fifty re-enactors from France, England and Belgium take over the ruins of Tiffauges Castle in Vendée for the 2026 Medieval Festival: a 14th-century siege led by Du Guesclin against the troops of John Chandos.
Editorial journal · Carte des Châteaux ·
Thirty companies, around 350 re-enactors and 160 camp tents: on 26 and 27 September 2026, the ruins of Tiffauges Castle in Vendée will be transported back to the 14th century for the Medieval Festival. The scenario, led by the Le Roi Uther association, stages a siege of the castle pitting the French troops of Bertrand du Guesclin against the English forces of John Chandos, continuing the narrative imagined during the previous edition.
01
The Bluebeard Castle
Now in ruins, Tiffauges Castle is best known as the 'Bluebeard Castle', in reference to the nickname of its most infamous resident, Gilles de Rais, Joan of Arc's comrade-in-arms who became one of the darkest figures in French medieval history. Classified as a historic monument, the site has played host for several editions to full-scale re-enactments led by history enthusiasts from across Europe.
02
Battles, market and weapon demonstrations
The Medieval Festival weekend features troop reviews, scripted battles, weapon demonstrations and artillery fire, spectacular duels, a medieval market and stalls, as well as talks with period specialists and musical and dance performances. Visitors can also discover the 160 tents of the camp set up for the occasion within the castle walls.
03
A European living history event
The thirty participating companies bring together re-enactors from France, England and Belgium, for a total of around 350 participants. The siege scenario, pitting the French forces of Bertrand du Guesclin against the English troops of John Chandos, continues the narrative thread begun during the previous edition of the Tiffauges Medieval Festival.
Read next
Sources