Mantes Medieval Festival 2026: the free Middle Ages celebration in Yvelines returns.

The Mantes Medieval Festival is back on Saturday, October 17, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., in the town center of Mantes-la-Jolie, in the Yvelines (78). This free medieval festival accompanies the 576th Onion Fair, one of France's oldest fairs. On the menu: knightly combats, tower climb, tales, juggling, and a market of period artisans.

A small change to the schedule to note this year. Where the 575th edition had been held on November 22, 2025, the fair moves about a month earlier, taking advantage of autumn colors rather than the early chill. The format remains a one-day event, family-friendly, with free admission and all activities free of charge.

What can you find at the Mantes Medieval Craft Market?

The heart of the celebration’s commerce beats on Rue Gambetta, just a stone’s throw from City Hall. The artisan market brings together market gardeners, weavers, bakers, tanners and glassmakers. It’s a stroll that feels like stepping into an old history book illustration come to life, between vegetable stalls and the deft motions of artisans you hardly see anywhere else.

A little further along National Street, street performances and medieval weapon demonstrations set the tempo for the day. Several troupes roam the city center with roaming musical and theatrical acts, offering a chance to cross paths with a minstrel in a side street.

What’s on at Brieussel Square?

Square Brieussel is the hub of the main festivities. It’s where kids climb, budding knights test their mettle, and storytellers draw in their audiences. Here is the full program announced by the City:

• Climb a medieval tower with the Lez Accros Company, 10:00–13:00 and 14:00–18:00, for ages 5 and up
• Knight’s initiation course with the Paladin Company, for ages 6 and up, in two sessions (morning and afternoon)
• Medieval encampments, ancient games, and a medieval farm, 10:00–18:00
• Participatory medieval street-art mural, 10:00–18:00
• Storytelling at 11:00, 14:00 and 17:30
• Medieval concert by Becs de Passereau at 12:00
• Medieval combat demonstration at 14:20
• Juggling and acrobatics show at 18:00
• Musical and theatrical promenades throughout the day

On the culinary front, the Taverne de l'Auberge de Montmirail will set up in Brieussel Square from noon to 6 pm. A convenient pit stop between shows, all without losing the atmosphere.

• To be read
• Medieval Festivals 2026 in Île-de-France: Dates and Medieval Castles
• Provins Medieval Fairs 2026, this weekend’s program
• Best bets for the week of October 12–18, 2026 in Paris and Île-de-France

Heritage visits on the agenda

The Mantes Medieval Festival is also a chance to see the city in a different light. The Collegiate Church of Notre-Dame, often compared to its Parisian cousin on Île de la Cité, towers over the old town and opens its doors to several guided tours. The Hôtel-Dieu Museum, for its part, is unusually open all day. The heritage program is laid out as follows:

• Musée de l'Hôtel-Dieu: self-guided tour of the collections from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and coloring workshops for children aged 3 and up
• Three limited-capacity guided tours throughout the day: the Navarre Chapel, the decor of the Collegiate Church, and the treasures of Sainte-Anne de Gassicourt
• Hôtel de Ville: discovery of the medieval archives at 10:30 a.m., spaces limited
• Collégiale: "The Builders" tour at 2 p.m., advance booking required
• Storytelling tour of the old town at 3 p.m.

Tickets for this format tend to sell out quickly. The Town Hall recommends booking at 01 34 78 86 60 or by email at reservation.patour@manteslajolie.fr. For any other questions, the Hôtel de Ville can be reached at 01 34 78 81 00. The detailed program is online on the page officielle de la Médiévale de Mantes 2026.

How to get there and where to park during the Médiévale de Mantes?

Better to leave the car at home. The city is rolling out a targeted traffic plan: parking will be banned from Friday, October 16 (from 8 a.m. or 8 p.m., depending on the zone) until Sunday, October 18 at 1 a.m. About fifteen streets and two downtown parking lots are affected, including Rue Nationale, Rue Gambetta and Rue de Lorraine.

Traffic will be cut off from 5 a.m. on Saturday, October 17 to 1 a.m. on Sunday, October 18 on these same streets, as well as Place Saint-Maclou. If you’re coming from Paris, the train remains the simplest option: Mantes-la-Jolie station is served by Transilien lines J and N, and the historic center is then within walking distance.

Who is this medieval festival aimed at?

This outing is aimed first and foremost at families. Kids will have plenty to climb, to play, and to listen to stories, while the grown-ups stroll the market or enjoy the tours. History enthusiasts will also find plenty to savor, with access to archives and the collegiate church, rarely presented with so much detail.

A tip: arrive early if you’re hoping for a walk-in guided tour, and wear comfortable shoes for the cobblestones of the old town. The festival takes place outdoors, so a quick glance at yesterday’s weather forecast wouldn’t hurt.

Want to keep the time-travel vibe going? Our guide to the fêtes médiévales 2026 en Île-de-France lists the upcoming dates, and our pick of villages médiévaux près de Paris offers ideas for weekend strolls. To complete the program, all our sorties du week-end dans les Yvelines are worth exploring.

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