Here are the photos I was looking for!
This was the Medieval Fair in Houdan, a village nearby. It used to be held in the village itself, but because of traffic problems and space, it is now held in the large field behind the village. This enabled troops of performers to hold jousting tournaments and mock fights! (it was the English against the French here – the crowd really got into it, lol.) The battle was quite loud (orders from the captain – “When we yell ‘Fire!’ plug yer ears and open yer mouths the lot of you!” – after the first volley of ear-splitting explosions, we followed orders!) After the battle, the captain yelled “The Dead May Rise!” and they did. That, we thought, would be a splendid ending to any battle.
There were illuminators, troubadours, cooking stands, weapon makers, tanners, compass makers, archery stands…well, you name it. It was quite a lot of fun.
Everyone gets into the theme, young and old alike.
The costumes are what makes it so fun. (Check out the group right behind my son.)
Jennifer Macaire 
Charles Gramlich said:
I love a good Renaisance fair. We have a pretty good one here in Louisiana and Lana and I usually go. We’ve found all kinds of neat stuff for our house
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Travis Erwin said:
I’ve only been to one Renaissance fair but had a great time. This one looks like even more fun.
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pattinase (abbott) said:
We have a Renaissance Fair here in the fall. Great fun.
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Terrie Farley Moran said:
“After the battle, the captain yelled “The Dead May Rise!” and they did. That, we thought, would be a splendid ending to any battle.”If only it were so.Great post.Terrie
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Gabriele C. said:
Lol, you could have some evil fun with The Deads May Rise.Braaainsss. 🙂
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Barbara Martin said:
I, too, love a Renaissance fair. The jousting would be one of the attractions I’d want to see, and the sword fighting.Nice photos.
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Bernita said:
Love these.My son-in-law is a Master of Fence.
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WordVixen said:
That’s incredible. We have renaissance and medieval fairs here, but none that have been around as long as that! Between your fair and DebbieLou’s flitch trials, I have the makings of a good European tour.
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John Nez said:
That looks like one fun Fayre! I can practically smell the roast boar and taste the honey meade.I was in a fair like that once, where I played my viola as a wandering minstrel. For me just looking at pictures of those ancient castles in France seems like magic. :0)
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