A big medieval festival in the Yvelines this Saturday: craft market, shows, and entertainment

If you're looking for a great idea for a free and original outing in the Yvelines, Mantes-la-Jolie will be transformed into a medieval city on Saturday, November 22, 2025. For the 575th Onion Fair, the city center will offer entertainment, shows, and period craftsmen.

Let's discover one of the oldest fairs in France, which is returning for its 575th edition in Mantes-la-Jolie, in the Yvelines. On Saturday, November 22, 2025, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., the city center will be transformed into a veritable medieval village for the traditional Médiévale de Mantes. This free, festive day celebrates the ancestral Onion Fair, an unmissable event that has been going on for centuries. Do you like medieval festivals? That's good, because so do we. With historical reenactments, flamboyant shows, and passionate artisans, this royal city nestled on the banks of the Seine promises a total immersion in the medieval world.

For one day, Mantes-la-Jolie dons its finest period attire. Costumes, ancient music, and traditional crafts take over the streets. Square Brieussel-Bourgeois and Place Saint-Maclou become the stage for spellbinding shows, while Rue Gambetta and the square in front of the Town Hall host a bustling craft market. Here you'll find market gardeners, weavers, bakers, tanners, glassmakers and other forgotten trades, bringing the skills of yesteryear back to life before our eyes.

For the curious and families, there are many hands-on workshops offered throughout the day. You can learn how to turn wood, discover onion dyeing, make your own candles, try your hand at juggling, weaving thread, or even creating stained glass. These free activities allow you to get hands-on and leave with new skills, all in a friendly and fun atmosphere.

What shows can you see at the Médiévale de Mantes?

The program for the 2025 edition promises to be particularly rich. From the morning onwards, music and dance performances will fill the streets with several companies: Caminaire will open the ball at 10:20 a.m., while Sonata Ferox and Les Oies Sacrées will entertain the crowd several times throughout the day. The Dryades Unicorn Legends, perched on their stilts, will add a touch of magic to the performances.

Square Brieussel becomes the beating heart of medieval entertainment. You can climb aboard a medieval ship thanks to Accrovoile, accessible all day long. Birds of prey enthusiasts won't want to miss the Animals & Co exhibition and shows, scheduled for 11:50 a.m. and 3:40 p.m. The Confrérie du Vexin will present spectacular medieval battles at 2:10 p.m., while the camps set up on site will give visitors a glimpse into everyday life in the Middle Ages.

Storytellers such as Gweltaz transport young and old alike with tales from the past at 11 a.m., 12:30 p.m., and 4:40 p.m. The Arcadia Company presents theater performances at 1:20 p.m. and 2:50 p.m. The fire and fencing show by Baz'arts Scenik at 5:30 p.m. promises thrills, before the grand pyrotechnic finale by the Vaporium Company with "Portal," a fiery juggling show at 7 p.m. on Place Saint-Maclou.

Where to eat during the medieval festival?

After all these discoveries, head to the Taverne de l'Auberge de Montmirail, located in Square Brieussel from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m., for a bite to eat. The Cœur de Mantes association is also organizing a merchants' banquet in Place Saint-Maclou from 12 p.m. to 9 p.m., where you can enjoy a convivial moment around period flavors.

How can you take part in cultural activities?

The Musée de l'Hôtel-Dieu and the Municipal Archives are joining in the festivities with heritage activities. At 5 p.m., a workshop entitled "À vos pinceaux, prêts ? Enluminez !" (On your brushes, get set, illuminate!) invites children aged 6 and over to discover the art of illumination (registration required). At 4:30 p.m. and 5 p.m., a presentation entitled "Writing in the Middle Ages" will reveal medieval writing techniques, also by reservation.

For those who wish to explore the history of the city, a guided tour entitled "Mantes, Ville Royale" is offered at 2 p.m. The museum also opens its collections for free visits from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m., allowing visitors to immerse themselves in the local heritage. This royal city is full of stories and architectural treasures, starting with its magnificent Notre-Dame collegiate church.

In short, the Médiévale de Mantes offers a free and exotic getaway just 50 kilometers from Paris. With authentic entertainment, captivating shows, and a festive atmosphere, this day out will delight the whole family. Find the full program on the municipality's website. Admission is free and all activities are free, so don't miss this great opportunity to travel back in time!

© City of Mantes-la-Jolie - photos

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