Immerse yourself in the unique atmosphere of a bustling medieval city! Every year, around July 14, Cordes sur Ciel hosts the Fêtes du Grand Fauconnier, a grandiose event that transports its visitors to the heart of the Middle Ages. Period costumes, live shows, ancestral music and authentic flavors… For two days, the village becomes a real open-air theater where knights, troubadours and artisans meet.
Two days of festivities like in the Middle Ages
The Grand Fauconnier Festival program will delight young and old alike. As the entertainment progresses, let yourself be captivated by the falconry demonstrations, an ancestral art that gives its name to the festival. Watch parades of knights in armor, march alongside ladies in period dress and vibrate to the sound of tambourines, fiddles and bagpipes. Fire-eaters and jugglers will light up the nights, while interactive workshops — calligraphy, medieval cooking or blacksmithing — will allow everyone to get their hands dirty.
The medieval markets are full of artisanal and local products. It is the ideal opportunity to leave with a unique souvenir or to taste the hypocras, this spicy wine typical of the time.
The 2025 program is underway.
It's a long story
In their early days, these festivities were primarily a local, family-oriented event, focused on the village community. The locals, often in costume, took part in parades and popular balls under the market hall, accompanied by orchestras. This family-friendly, convivial nature evolved over time into a large-scale celebration, attracting visitors from all over the region and beyond.
Organized by the Grand Falconer Committee, these festivals aim to recreate the medieval atmosphere of Cordes, while highlighting local crafts and cultural traditions. Jugglers, musicians, storytellers and artisans liven up the cobbled streets, recreating the spirit of the great medieval fairs. The event often opens with a torchlight parade and nighttime shows, combining modernity and tradition to appeal to a diverse audience.
These festivities today embody a balance between respect for historical roots and openness to a wider audience, making Cordes-sur-Ciel a mecca for medieval celebrations in Occitania.
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