The third annual MédiéValence festival returns to Valence-sur-Baïse, Gers, on August 15 and 16, 2026. Set at the Hippodrome de Flaran near the 12th-century Cistercian abbey, the family-friendly event features historical encampments, medieval markets with over thirty artisans, live combat demonstrations, participatory workshops, and an evening fire spectacle.
The Bottom Line
- Dates & Location: August 15–16, 2026, at the Hippodrome de Flaran, with an opening night outdoor film screening on Friday, August 14, at the Abbaye de Flaran (as detailed by Gers Armagnac Tourisme).
- Programming: A 40-artisan medieval market, live spectacles from troupes like San Pawa and Les Mortes Payes, siege engine displays, and hands-on craft workshops.
- Accessibility: Entry is priced accessibly at €2 for the main event (or €5 for a ticket coupled with abbey access), keeping community engagement front and center.
Mapping the Gascon Middle Ages
The event is organized by the Association Les MédiéValence, alongside the Club des Motivés and the local town hall. They have curated a sprawling layout across the Hippodrome de Flaran, situated right next to the historic Cistercian abbey where monks once shaped the local landscape.
But the programming doesn’t start on Saturday morning. According to Gers Armagnac Tourisme, festivities kick off on Friday evening, August 14, with a free open-air screening of Tom Moore and Nora Twomey’s celebrated animated feature Brendan et le secret de Kells hosted on the grounds of the abbey.
Craft, Combat, and Community Economics
By Saturday morning, the Hippodrome transforms into a bustling living-history hub. Visitors can wander through encampments put together by groups like the Archers de Fébus, watch sword-fighting demonstrations, and inspect working siege engines. The artisan market features roughly 30 to 40 vendors showcasing specialized trades, including leatherwork, metal forging, wood carving, herbalism, calligraphy, and basketry.
By keeping ticket prices low—€2 for the main grounds or €5 for the combined abbey access—the organizers prioritize foot traffic and local economic stimulation over exclusive gate fees. Food options lean heavily into historical and sustainable curation, featuring medieval-inspired hypocras drinks, brasero grilling, and anti-waste nomadic catering by Helo, alongside sweet stands for families.
| Date | Event / Feature | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Friday, August 14 | Outdoor film screening of Brendan et le secret de Kells at 21:00 (Free) | Abbaye de Flaran |
| Saturday, August 15 | Market, campments, workshops, 22:00 San Pawa fire show (Open 10:00 to midnight) | Hippodrome de Flaran |
| Sunday, August 16 | Craft demonstrations, archery, music, and dance (Open 10:00 to 18:00) | Hippodrome de Flaran |
As the sun sets on Saturday, the energy shifts. The schedule features the much-anticipated nocturnal fire show by San Pawa at 22:00, accompanied by roving musical acts.
For travelers navigating the backroads of the Gers, just 35 minutes from Auch and under an hour from Agen via the D930, MédiéValence offers a refreshing counter-programming option to blockbuster summer crowds. Grab a cape, mind the archers, and experience how regional grassroots heritage keeps the Middle Ages brilliantly alive.
