This weekend, Sens hosted a medieval fair on the town square with fantastic costumes, music, theater, food and artisanal crafts.
I guess these were demons or living gargoyles. They were impressive.
Rat catcher. He looks like he should be in a movie featuring barbarians 🙂
A viking-ette. She was beautiful.
This sorcerer was a big draw with his fantastic eyes, enchantments and spells.
Everyone seemed to have so much fun playing their roles.
Not only were the actors wearing costumes but many of the attendees chose to go in costume. There was a costume maker installed in the basement of the farmers’ market. You could rent or buy.
We just bought the hats 🙂 Hat photos by Veronique Gilleron and Babou Matta.
Yes, there was food. The first thing I did was buy a ham because the vendor was very informative, not too pushy and sold very, very, very good ham. Probably the best ham I’ve tasted since living in France!
The ham and salami comes from the commune of Uzerche in the Limousin region of France, where they also keep the good cows. I could have stayed for lunch but it wasn’t necessary because he gave us enough samples to tide us over 😉
These were French cookies. I didn’t have any. You know what they say about French, cookies :-0 Anyway, cookies are an American thing and America didn’t exist in medieval times. Pass 😀
This stall was selling hand picked cherries and white asparagus. Everything a body needs.
Time for lunch. Le Patio advertised a medieval “bowl” for Sunday lunch. At 7 euros you couldn’t go wrong. All the employees were costumed. I don’t know who that guy is with the bag. He shouldn’t be there. Hey wait a minute, who is that guy over there wearing out the mayo? The French are so lax 😀
The plate of creamy beans with lardons and sausage was wonderful! I was a little disappointed that it wasn’t served in a wooden or clay bowl with primitive spoons or something but it was delicious. We had old vine Chablis with this.
Heaving ourselves from the table, we continued our tour of the fair.
This young girl was so pretty and had a lovely costume. Too bad about the aggressive, open mouth gum chewing. I sound like an old lady. But I am an old lady, so it’s okay 🙂
Portuguese invader.
Some random, xenophobic, old French guy 😀
This was so much fun! I hope they do this again next year.
Wow! What great fun. We could learn from them.
Exactly 🙂
The cherries look great!
Excellent – it looks like you had a wonderful time. I’d definitely go if it was a bit closer to me 🙂
I’ll probably be in the States this time next year but who knows, I might try to make it.
This looks like it was so much fun! Great costumes!
It was Mary!
How delightful! I didn’t realize limousin cattle were from France. We have a 18th century fort near us (Fort DeChartres, which the locals pronounce in various ways) and the annual rendezvous is a big draw, although not as fun as this looks, and certainly no delicious ham. But the various costumes including British, American, and French soldiers, and native Americans are interesting. One year I was watching a white guy dressed as a native, wearing a long leather tunic, with flaps that hung down just far enough for modesty, but open on the sides, to reveal a lack of undergarments. When he was approached by a large curious dog he quickly bent down to pet him, avoiding the searching nose under the tunic. I laughed somewhat immoderately.
In this part of France, the French count limousin beef only 2nd to Charolais.
Sounds and looks like great fun and good food … you are so lucky to have found Sens!!
I really think so Laura!
What do they say about French cookies? Those cherries look beautiful. Love the elaborate costumes.
That they’re not 🙂
That’s why the French used to mark American bake sales on their calendars, for the cookies and brownies.
Nobody, but nobody, does insane festivals like the French. Steve has much less patience with them than I do. But even he could not resist Pfifferdaj in Alsace.
I agree Michelle. It’s incredible the time and effort they put into them!
Wonderful, wonderful! Love events like these and it looks liek so much fun 🙂
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That place looks like my cup of tea right there! The sausage and beans is making my mouth wet…
I want to make beans like those!
Oh what fun! I love stuff like this. I’m with you on the gum chewing. Not allowed at our house. Unfortunately it’s allowed at the other house. Sigh.
No gum chewing in this house either. Unnecessary and unattractive.
thank you for this wonderful picture big kisses from France. Viking (ette)
That is so cool that you saw this! You are welcome 😀
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What a beautiful fete – would have loved to be there!!
Till now I have only seen renaissance festivals and steampunk festivals but never saw medieval festival. The medieval costumes for women like they are wearing gown is similar to the renaissance gowns. This looks good that still we celebrate the medieval eras.
I love the random, xenophobic, old French guy! 😉
(he knows he’s famous now, doesn’t he?)