Here are the highlights of the 2024 edition of the Semaine Cévenole, in Alès

Une ambiance médiévale et festive attendue près du fort Vauban. MIDI LIBRE – ALEXIS BETHUNE

Conférences, visites, spectacles, marché, défilés et ripailles sont en vue de ce lundi 30 septembre jusqu’au dimanche 6 octobre.

Of course, the main events of the Semaine cévenole, which takes place in Alès and its surroundings, those which attract the most people, take place on October 4, 5 and 6, but the festivities begin this Monday, September 30. This year again, throughout the week, visits will be offered: to the Vauban fort in Alès, the Montalet castle, the medieval garden of Cendras, the Allègre castle, the Cheylar castle in Aujac, etc. And there will also be a question of conferences, many of which will be structured around the theme of this 12th edition, “Women in the Middle Ages”. This Monday, September 30, Élisabeth Hébérard talks about “Medieval finery: adorned women”. Tuesday, October 1, Verena Weller will discuss “Women in the Montpellier credit sector”. Women of the Middle Ages will also be a source of tales and legends on Wednesday, October 2. On the same day, costume designer Laurence Magnanelli will host a meeting on “The evolution of women's fashion in the Middle Ages”…

Two costume parades are on the program

But the festivities will really take off in the heart of Alès on the evening of Friday, October 4. From 7pm, the traditional spit-roasted beef will be served to some 650 guests on the town hall square, before the burning of Fort Vauban, expected at 9:30pm.

What to expect during the weekend?

Saturday, October 5, as usual, the day will be very busy. On the occasion of the public presentation of the craft market and the military camp, there will be, at 11 am, a costumed inauguration parade in the streets of the city center, accompanied, at noon, by an aperitif. At around 4 pm, the big costumed parade will set off from the Pont-Vieux to reach the town hall square. Shows are also expected on Saturday evening: the last Amazons, at 8:30 p.m., in front of the town hall, and the legend of Dragon, at 9 p.m., at Fort Vauban.

Medieval battles in perspective

At the same time, during the two days of this weekend, there will be plenty of entertainment. Musical strolls, a multitude of events within the military camp and around Fort Vauban and workshops galore (forge, schist work, calligraphy, donkey rides, games, face painting, etc.) are scheduled. Of course, medieval battles will take place on the forecourt of the town hall, with the company La garde du Roussillon. The knights will wage war on Saturday, October 5, at 2 p.m., 3 p.m. and 7 p.m., then on Sunday, October 6, at 1 p.m., 3:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. In short, it will be difficult, if not impossible, to be bored…

Full program on the website www.semaine-cevenole.fr.