Europes largest fortress hosts May Medieval Festival

A huge medieval festival in Sedan will once again bring the largest fortified castle in
the whole of Northern Europe back to life during the weekend of May 16 th and 17th.
Now in its 20th year, the annual Sedan Medieval Festival is one of the French
Ardenne's premier events in a packed calendar for 2015, and will be marked by two
days of music, historical camps, military re-enactments, demonstrations, and a host
of special activities for kids.
Built in 1424 by the Earl of La Mark, the Chteau Fort de Sedan is famous for being
one of the largest and most impressive structures in Europe. The city enjoyed a
golden period in the 17th and 18th centuries when it became a centre for
metalworking and textile industries. Today, it is famous for both its history and art.
During the Festival, and for a full 48-hours, tens of thousands of visitors to Sedan
Fort will be able to step back in time to the middle ages - with highlights including
the great parade on Saturday evening.
The traditional torchlight procession to the fortress on Saturday evening - involving
more than 300 knights, courtiers, musicians, and performers - will start with a city
parade, followed by a concert in the moat and grand fireworks display. Around 100
stallholders from all parts of France - as well as from Belgian, German, English and
Spanish - will add to the atmosphere of the night by holding a medieval market.
The Ardennes is strategically placed in northern Europe, and Sedan itself has been
at the centre of some of Europe's biggest conflicts, including the Franco-Prussian
War of 1870, the First World War, and the Second World War. Much of that
landscape is now easily explored using the 140 kilometres-long Fortifications Route
- one of six well-marked car trails which loop and snake their way around the
fascinating Ardennes countryside.
Entrance to the Sedan Medieval Festival is just 7 Euros (12 euros for two days).
Entrance for under 12s is free. Visitors unable to make it there for the Medieval
Festival can visit at any time, with entrance tickets starting from 5.40 for children
and 6.90 for adults (http://www.chateau-fort-sedan.fr/en).
The fortress, built in 1424, and enlarged and strengthened over the centuries, is
now also home to Htel Le Chteau Fort de Sedan (http://www.chateaufortsedan.fr/en/), a 54-bedroom hotel and gourmet restaurant.
For further information about the shortbreak packages, accommodation, festivals
and events - from the World Puppet Festival in Charleville-Mzires in September,
to the Onion Fair in Givet in November - visit http://gb.ardennes.com.
Ends
For press information, please contact:
Djamila Daoud

T: +33 3 24 56 67 77 E: daoud@ardennes.com