In Andilly, when the trees of the Grand Parc tremble, it’s not just the wind: it’s a whole Middle Ages awakening. For a few days, one suddenly shifts from modern life to the cries of heralds, the muffled clash of boots on the paths, and the scent of mead that seems to have sneaked everywhere. The 2026 edition of the Grandes Médiévales d’Andilly promises once again this rare blend: a great popular festival and an immersive reenactment where one can, at the same time, watch a jousting tournament, chat with a craftsman, then learn to write their name with a quill.
In 2026, meet at the Grand Parc of Andilly over two weekends (around Ascension and Pentecost): May 23, 24, 25 and then May 30 and 31, 2026. The site opens its gates from 9 a.m., and the day tends to fly by at the speed of a destrier. So it’s best to come with a clear plan… and a sharp curiosity.
Grandes Médiévales d’Andilly: a giant historical immersion at the Grand Parc
The Grandes Médiévales d’Andilly are not content with just “looking medieval” with two banners and three costumes. Here, the ambition is total: the park becomes a period village, alive, noisy, indulgent, sometimes solemn, often funny. You meet knights in armor who are not there to pose but to show, explain, play, fight. You follow musicians who roam as if their tour started 700 years ago. And above all, you find yourself in the middle of a crowd that participates as much as it watches.
The strength of the event lies in its scale. We are talking about more than 500 artists and nearly a thousand extras who bring depth to every corner: camps, shops, taverns, shady spots perfect for storytelling, play areas for children. The audience doesn’t attend a single show; they go through a succession of scenes as if wandering inside a film in which they also act as extras, even if just by stopping to watch a blacksmith hammering his glowing piece.
To make the experience more concrete, imagine Éloi, a visitor who comes “just to see”. At 9:30 a.m., he enters and thinks he will quickly browse the market. At 10:15 a.m., he is already drawn to a chainmail making demonstration. At 11 a.m., he finds himself watching a polearm practice, then at noon he eats “just a little something”, which turns into an impromptu feast because the smell of grilled meats is very persuasive. At 2 p.m., he realizes he hasn’t seen half the park. That’s Andilly: a day that fills itself.
The atmosphere remains family-friendly and very accessible. You can come costumed, or not at all: no one judges, everyone plays. Children find continuous activities, and adults rediscover the simple pleasure of watching manual crafts. In the background, the festival also evokes the spirit of great medieval fairs: trade, music, acrobatics, laughter, and a hint of mystery around every corner.
If you enjoy extending the getaway, the event fits perfectly into a broader discovery of the region: ideas of villages, panoramas, and stops full of character can be found, for example, via the most beautiful villages of Haute-Savoie. Once you’ve tasted the journey through time, you often want to continue the stroll elsewhere.
And what makes the festival even more delightful is that it doesn’t rely on a single “great moment”: it multiplies meetings and sparks, like a life-sized treasure hunt.
Program of Grandes Médiévales d’Andilly: key moments and must-see activities
The complete program, detailed minute by minute, is traditionally revealed shortly before the opening (usually 15 days beforehand). However, the daily structure and the main types of activities are well identified: camps, artisan market, continuous activities, shows, and night events. And for this edition, a particular flavor floats in the air: the festival celebrates its 30th anniversary, announcing winks, surprises, and an “anniversary edition” energy.
The camps: understanding military life without boredom (promise)
The camps set up in the Forêt des Moulins are magnets. You don’t only see weapons; you discover gestures: how to equip oneself, how to train, how to move. Demonstrations of war machines and explanations on formations (with those famous defensive “tortoises”) make the strategies understandable, even for someone who still confuses a hauberk with chainmail.
Concrete example: a guide shows how a piece of armor distributes impact. The audience touches, observes, questions. Suddenly, the Middle Ages is no longer a school chapter: it’s a living, logical, fascinating mechanism.
The medieval market: when craftsmanship becomes a show
In the aisles, artisans don’t just sell objects: they tell the story of the material. Blacksmiths, stonemasons, glassblowers, wood sculptors, saddlers… each draws a small crowd. You can watch for a long time because the eye naturally follows the gesture. And you often leave with a story to tell, even if you bought “just a little souvenir”.
Continuous activities: the magic of little surprises
Between the big shows, the event works like a festive town: something is always happening. You come across old games, a calligraphy workshop, a cooking demonstration, a musical duo improvising at a turn in the path. The trick is not to want to control everything: let yourself be diverted.
To help you find your way, here is a list of activities to prioritize if you come with family or a group, so everyone finds their place:
- Calligraphy workshop: leave with your name “medieval style”, and a real souvenir.
- Old games: perfect to get the children moving between shows.
- Musical wanderings: they create the atmosphere, even when you’re not looking for anything.
- Camps and demonstrations: the ideal place to ask questions and learn without realizing it.
- Taverns and gourmet stops: a strategic moment to recharge without losing track of the day.
Shows: flair, thrills, and sometimes stars
The promise is generous: almost 20 hours of shows per day, with a variety that avoids monotony. Expect to encounter aerial numbers, tightrope walking, concerts, theater, juggling, archery demonstrations, equestrian scenes, and even more “spectacular” moments thanks to pyrotechnics. The presence of the Eagles of Léman adds an impressive dimension: the flight of birds of prey, seen up close, instantly puts the audience back in the position of an amazed child.
And when night falls, the park changes its skin. The night shows and torch-lit routes give that rare feeling of taking part in a giant vigil, with the sky as a ceiling.
To feel the atmosphere before coming, you can also search for videos and get into the mood:
At this point, a question naturally arises: how to organize your days so as not to run around like a page running late? Let’s look at the day-by-day schedule.
Day-by-day program: dates, hours, and key moments of the Grandes Médiévales d’Andilly
The festival unfolds over five days spread over two weekends: Saturday 23, Sunday 24, Monday 25, then Saturday 30 and Sunday 31 May. Access is announced from 9 a.m., which changes everything: arriving early allows you to enjoy the most popular areas, talk with artisans before the crowds, and get a first show without elbowing your way through.
Saturday, May 23: grand opening and clever scouting
The first day is ideal to “get a feel” for the site. Many visitors choose to start at the market, then move to the camps. It’s a winning strategy: you soak it in, find your bearings, mentally note spots to revisit later. For shows, bet on a big stage in the middle of the day, then save a place for wanderings: they make the park seem to talk to you.
Éloi’s advice (learned the hard way): pick a fixed meeting point with your group. In Andilly, it’s easy to “get lost”… but happily.
Sunday, May 24: family day, workshops, and grand shows
Sunday often attracts tribes. It’s the perfect day to chain together participatory workshops and shows. In the morning, when energy is at its peak, enjoy handcraft activities: calligraphy, games, culinary discoveries. In the afternoon, aim for an equestrian show and a combat demonstration. In between, a tavern break is a must, if only to compare opinions: “the best” is usually the one you taste at the right moment.
Monday, May 25: the perfect plan to breathe and deepen
This day generally offers a sense of space. You take more time to chat with exhibitors, attend a complete explanation about a siege machine, or watch a rehearsal. If you like understanding “how it’s made,” it’s a golden day. It’s also a good moment to complete a full loop of the site without skipping quieter areas like storytelling spots.
Saturday, May 30: building momentum and anniversary spirit
On the second weekend, the atmosphere is often electric: visitors return, regulars compare notes, and the spirit of the 30 years floats like a banner. It’s the ideal day to target the largest “grand format” shows and keep an eye on onsite announcements: some special edition surprises are savored better when you’re not in a hurry.
Sunday, May 31: final highlights and beautiful farewells
Last day, so last chance. It’s often the time to do what you postponed: go back to see a craftsman, buy the souvenir you “reasonably” refused the day before, or watch a show again because you want to experience it differently. If a night event is offered that day, it has a special taste: the kind of end-of-festival feeling that makes you want to come back.
To complement your weekend in the area, it might be useful to pick activity ideas synchronized with these dates, like those suggested here: what to do in Haute-Savoie the weekend of May 31 and June 1. You can easily combine Andilly with a scenic getaway the next day, to slowly come down… or extend the magic.
Once the dates are set, it remains to manage logistics: tickets, shuttles, parking, and two or three tips to avoid “little dramas” (like running out of change at the worst moment).
Practical info: tickets, access, shuttles, parking, and rules to know
A medieval festival is simpler when the logistics are well managed. On site, everything is planned for welcoming crowds, but some choices upstream change the day: booking certain services, anticipating payment methods, and knowing key timings.
Ticketing and hours: leaving early saves time
Tickets are announced available online and also purchasable on site. Prices vary by day, with a clear reference point: starting at 30 € for an adult and 23 € for a child. Entry is allowed from 9 a.m., a detail that’s not minor. Arriving at opening lets you enter the park like entering a novel: the crowd hasn’t yet “thickened” the air, and meetings are easier.
Access: free shuttles and park-and-ride lots
Good news to avoid traffic jams and stress behind the wheel: free shuttles run from 8:30 a.m. to midnight. They serve park-and-ride lots like Copponex, Mont Sion, and Cruseilles. The principle is simple: leave your car, board, and arrive at the site without having to negotiate a last-minute parking spot.
For those who want the most direct solution, there is a Privilege Parking right in front of the entrance, accessible by reservation at the rate of 22 € per day. Since spaces are limited, anticipation is your best ally.
Food: indulgent, practical, and sometimes strategic
Between two shows, the on-site offer is designed to last: crepes, Savoyard specialties, sandwiches, grilled meats, mead, ice cream. The trap is underestimating how long a break takes when everyone is hungry at the same time. Tip: shift your lunch slightly (a little before or a little after noon), and you’ll gain in comfort.
Picnics are allowed, with designated areas. It’s an excellent option if you come with family: controlled budget, happy children, and total freedom on timing.
Payment methods: the trick that saves waiting in line
Key point: many taverns and stands accept cash only. Three ATMs are announced on site, with a 5% commission per withdrawal. Moral: plan to bring cash in advance and keep a small “emergency” reserve (impulse buying a handful of medieval sugar almonds, for example, doesn’t wait).
Animals: simple rule, to be anticipated
Animals are not admitted, even on a leash. If you come from afar, consider arranging care: it’s the kind of detail that can turn a festival day into a frustrating return trip.
And now that access is mapped out, here’s a delightful question: where to sleep (and what to do around) if you want to turn your visit into a mini-stay?
Where to sleep and what to do nearby: accommodations and escape ideas in Haute-Savoie
Many visitors come just for a day. Others, smarter (or more indulgent), turn the event into a multi-day getaway. It makes sense: the region lends itself to the game, and the intensity of the festival makes you want to enjoy a calm evening after, rather than hitting the road amid overwhelming memories.
Nearby hotels: three solid options to recover like a lord
For a comfortable stay, several addresses nearby are regularly mentioned by visitors who want to combine rest and convenience.
Ibis Styles Saint-Julien-en-Genevois Vitam is especially suitable for those traveling with family. The interest is twofold: relative proximity to the event and integration into a large leisure area. After a day of walking and marveling, ending with a relaxation moment (water park, gym, activities) is delightfully contradictory… so perfect.
AC Hotel by Marriott, in Saint-Julien-en-Genevois, plays the modern comfort card: spacious rooms, restaurant, bar, gym. It’s an excellent option if you like the idea of alternating “dusty boots” by day and “perfect pillow” by night.
Savoie Hotel near Geneva is located in Saint-Julien-en-Genevois, 15 minutes by car from Geneva. It offers rooms with private bathrooms and free Wi-Fi.
Ideas for walks and extensions: changing scenery without losing the magic
If you stay a little longer, several routes are easy to combine with Andilly. Some look for panoramas, others for characterful villages, others yet a cultural detour. For a very accessible getaway, you can prepare a list of stops through visiting Haute-Savoie in 7 days and build your itinerary like a travel diary.
Do you want a “wow” viewpoint to calm your mind after the drums and fanfares? The shores and heights around Annecy offer superb spots, to be found for example with the most beautiful viewpoints on Lake Annecy. It’s the perfect counterpoint: after the crowd and the shows, the horizon and the water.
And for those who like to link experiences, a “castles” detour can extend the medieval theme without effort: Haute-Savoie abounds with buildings, local histories, strategic viewpoints (and legends to tell afterward). The interest is to stay in the story: after Andilly, you continue the journey through time, but at your own pace.
In the end, the idea is not to do too much. It’s to choose: a festival day, then a walk. Or two days of celebration, then a quieter visit. The essential thing is to keep a margin for the unexpected… because it is often what makes the best memories.
What are the dates of the Grandes Médiévales d’Andilly?
The festivities take place at the Grand Parc d’Andilly over two weekends: May 23, 24, 25 and then May 30 and 31. Access to the park is announced from 9 a.m., allowing full enjoyment of the activities from the morning.
What types of activities and shows can be seen on site?
You will find camps (demonstrations, training, war machines), an artisan market (forge, stone, glass, wood, saddlery), workshops and games throughout the day, as well as a very varied show program: equestrian, juggling, music, theater, archery, pyrotechnics, and birds of prey flights with the Eagles of Léman, not to mention night shows by torchlight.
How to access the site stress-free for parking?
A free shuttle service is planned from 8:30 a.m. to midnight, serving park-and-ride lots (Copponex, Mont Sion, Cruseilles). There is also a Privilege Parking right in front of the entrance, by reservation, at a rate of 22 € per day, with limited spaces.
Can you pay by card at the festival?
Many stands and taverns mainly operate in cash. Three ATMs are announced on site, with a 5% commission per withdrawal. The most comfortable option remains to bring cash in advance to avoid lines and fees.
Are animals allowed at the Grandes Médiévales d’Andilly?
No, animals are not allowed on site, even on a leash. Consider arranging care if you come from far away.
Official site: https://www.grandparc-andilly.com/spectacles-grandes-medievales-andilly
