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2018 : KNIGHT IN HONOUR
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During the year 2018, the castle will put The "Kgnicht in honor". Today, who says Middle Ages said knight! This hero of the ancient time represents bravery, courage, honour, courtesy and protection of the weak-willed persons. From July 8th till August 26th, 2018, with the company The Oriflamme, three poles of animation will be offered to the visitors for: MANAGE A DOMAIN with the intendant Knight : When he is not at war, the knight administers his domain where he spends most clearly of his time. A thousand things to manage : finances, economic management of lands, men and women at the service of the castle. And to be admitted by all, his family, his staff and his men-et-arms, he must also be able to receive in his castle and look good in the eyes of all those around him. GET AN EDUCATION AND SEDUCE with the courteous Knight : The knight grows, learns and gets his education in the "court « of the castle. This "courteous « knight grants to a big place for "fine amor". It is necessary to him to control its taste for feasts with songs, dances, musics and poems as well as beautiful dresses. A chivalrous way of life to win the heart of his lady and to ensure descendants by advocating obedience, devotion and fidelity. TRAIN FOR BATTLE with the warlike Knight : The knight was born in the comfort of the castle, but it is on the battlefield that he will surely die .... To become a knight warrior, he is to make his classes, to train, to study treaties and strategy of battle, to equip itself while leading an army of men-at-arms to win war or simply to defend his castle. And throughout the weekends of July and August, in honour, portraits of "knight" for all: dubbing, jousts, entrainement, harness, love affairs, games, entertainment, etc.... A season which promises to be epic and chivalrous! |
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"Ephemeral Escape Game" : Poisoned survey at the castle ! Time is running out, 90 minutes is the time set by Lovasport, organizer of the event, to go out of the surrounding wall of the castle of Saint Mesmin. With guaranteed immersion in the heart of a story ... will you be up to it? Indeed, provided with a road map, through games of mysteries and of escape, it is a history to take back up the "time" which waits for the players with in the programme: intrigues, clues, secret messages to decode, reading, reflexion by going through the different rooms of the castle. Objectives: Objectives: By team of 5 players maximum or solo, it will be necessary to elucidate the investigation allowing to leave the castle of Saint Mesmin by crossing the saving drawbridge. The company Lovasport, based in Aizenay in Vendée, develops lately this fashionable concept today in France. At the origin of the escape game, at the beginning of 2000s, these are electronic games of escape come from Asia. These games made room, later, for full-scale simulation. SCRAP is the first company to create one " live escape game " in 2008 in Japan. , to develop progressively in Asia, then Eastern Europe and finally Western Europe. Appointment is made from the castle to get away the time of this «Escape game», halfway between a full-scale cluedo and a video game adapted by the real world. Information: contact@lovasport.fr and Inscriptions on www.lovasport.fr Prices : 25 € / person (from 14 years and accompanied with an adult) On Saturday: 14 h 00 and 16 h 30 and on Sunday: 11 h 00 and 14h00 • limited Places (Possibility of buying your ticket on the spot, within the limits of available places by session). • Appointment 30 minutes early announced on your ticket. • Favour the carpooling • By team or solo. |
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The federation Rural Family of Vendee of a long experience in the organization of cultural and festive events, especially in outdoor cinema sessions of the organization on the whole department since 1996. With the support of the association Rural Families of Saint Mesmin, do not wait any longer to live the unique experience of an outdoor cinema under the stars ... in bottom of canvas the castle of Saint Mesmin ... From the smallest to bigger, the cinema will make happy. On huge screen of 30m ², with 2K digital projectors, 2000 watts of sound, the quality of the picture is identical to that of cinema halls. And to start well the party, producers' market will be present before the projection, just to share with family or friends local culinary products. An evening which represents all magic of cinematographic art carried in territories and very close to populations. Friday, June 1st, 2018, in partnership with Rural Families of Saint Mesmin. From 17h00 to 21H30 for the farmers and creators market At 22H00 for projection : "LA VACHE", 2016 avec Jamel Debbouze, Lambert Wilson Free entrance |
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In the Middle Ages and during next centuries, in his castle, during big tournaments but also during feasts, the knight wants to amuse himself. Music and dances are the pillars of art ménétrier, it is so a chance to play music for dance or rather with dance! At the castle of Saint Mesmin, immerse yourself, for an afternoon in the times of dances and ancient musics with the reception of the Company Outre Mesure, based to Tiffauges (85) as part of its Renaissance workshop: RAMDAM. RAMDAM is born in 2008, when Compagnones Studiantes, dancers of the conservatory of Nantes, challenged the company Outre Mesure on their wish to share their job and their passion by producing on stage of Renaissance Dances. RAMDAM will offer so a ballet concert (musical and choreographic interludes Renaissance and traditional) and a Ball Renaissance with the presence of about sixty united amateurs . From 3:00 pm to 4:00 pm: Dancing concert "Jouyssance vous donneray" / Ballet des Dames: branles, pavanes, gaillardes, etc ... Followed From 5 pm to 6 pm: Renaissance ball open to all. It will take one step to get into the dance ... with the Compagnones studientes, Chorea Ficta, Sonneurs de Veuze, Conservatoire d'Evreux, the students of Ana Yepes of Ensemble Donnaïres, all framed by the artists of the company Outre Mesure. A nice entertaining afternoon of Renaissance where music and dance will have talks merrily. Sunday, June 10, from 14H30 to 18H30. Adult : €6 / Adult reduced rate : €4,5 Child (6 to 14 years) : €3 Free for those possessing a ambassador / loyalty card Family Pass: 16 euros (2 adults + 2 children) |
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But what is a knight well harnessed! The knight on his heavy charger is in the service of a lord. To be knight, it is necessary to have a horse, to be able to maintain it but also to be in capacity to buy armour. With the company of "Tards-Venus" based in the department of Deux-Sèvres (79), we will talk about: haubert or coat of mail, camail, gambison, spear, shield or ecu, bassinet, chapel, helmet, salad, barbute, sword, spur, gauntlets, spalières, cubitières, leg warmers, solerets, knee pads, cuissots etc .... all forming armor. In presentation and as a demonstration of battle, all elements of protection will be reviewed so that the knight is well harnessed! Sunday, June 17, from 14H30 to 18H30. Adult : €6 / Adult reduced rate : €4,5 Child (6 to 14 years) : €3 Free for those possessing a ambassador / loyalty card Family Pass: 16 euros (2 adults + 2 children) |
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But who is therefore this knight? To be knight in the Middle Ages, it is the whole history! Loner big-hearted or battling to his comrades-in - arms, in search of adventures or in search of himself. On horseback all day long, making stopover in castles, adventures and misfortunes are part of his daily life. On his faithful charger, the knight can make strange meetings… Sometimes odd, sometimes ridiculous when he is deceived, affecting and heroic always! . Dame Aenor, based in Charente - Maritime (17) narrates stories and chivalrous tales to train your imagination through medieval forests in numerous secrets. Sunday, June 24, from 14H30 to 18H30. Adult: 6 € /Reduced price Adult: 4.50 € / Child (from 6 to 14 years old): 3 € Free for those possessing a ambassador / loyalty card Family Pass: 16 euros (2 adults + 2 children) |
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In the candlelight, visitors will be immersed in the daily life of the castle during the Hundred Years War. Between big and small story, they will discover, in the halls of the castle, costumed people straight from the fifteenth century, telling them about their daily lives with some surprises .... A concert of old music and a snack will close the visit. Saturday, June 30, 21h00 Only on reservation, limited number of places. Prices: Adult: 9 € Child (till 14 years old): 7 € Tourism office of Pouzauges: 02 51 91 82 46 |
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At the castle of Saint Mesmin, immerse yourself, for an afternoon in the times of dances and ancient musics with the reception of the Company Outre Mesure, based to Tiffauges (85) as part of its Renaissance concert: ASYMPTOTE. This company, created in 2000, brings together professional artists around Robin Joly, its musical director and choreographer. From 3:00 pm to 4:00 pm: “Asymptote concert Renaissance & traditional oboe band music": Asymptote, mathematical and geometric term, indicates two close lines which never meet. For this Asymptote concert, it is basically meetings: meeting of old music and folk music, meeting artists. Be curious to hear the interpretation of these musics by ménétriers all admitted in their directory where improvisation and spontaneity is essential and where all open in the new world. Followed From 5 pm to 6 pm: Renaissance ball: A Renaissance ball opened to all. A real show where the public becomes a « dancer actor», this ball remains one of the specialities of the company which links music and choreographs, with a specific work on tempos, dynamics, phrasing and articulations. A step will be enough to join in … Sunday, July 1st, 2018, from 14H30 to 18H30. Adult : €6 / Adult reduced rate : €4,5 Child (6 to 14 years) : €3 Free for those possessing a ambassador / loyalty card Family Pass: 16 euros (2 adults + 2 children) |
   Photos non contractuelles |
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The Fer de Lance Company is a Belgian company created in 1995 by medieval history enthusiasts. It will present at the castle of Saint Mesmin participatory animations where the public will be able to touch but also try. Thus will be presented the conditions required to become knight: necessary steps of the rider, the page then finally the horseman. Of the good knowledge of heraldry or science of coats of arms, it is a whole initiatory course that will lead to the dubbing, the final ceremonial stage where the knight receives his weapons. But also, place in knight's various portraits with presentation of the orders of chivalry, knights errant, bannerets knights... With the knight in the battle, it will be made demonstrations of duels, challenges, with knowledge of the risks incurred by job during battles (captures, ransoms, banishment) which for some of them in the Middle Ages could end in death. There are still many tombstones and gisants in our churches and chapels. Thus, after death, by lying of entrails, lying of heart or lying of body, it is the ostentatious memory of the knight that continues Sunday 14th and Sunday 15th of July From 10.30am to 1.00pm and 2.00pm till 7.00pm Adult full fare : 8€, Adult reduced fare : 6,5 €, Children fare (6 to 14 years) : 4 € Free for those possessing a ambassador / loyalty card Family Pass: 22 euros (2 adults + 2 children) |
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The knight is brave, but he has, in addition, the desire to please; in front of the women, the knight must have elegant attitudes, delicate purposes. And to please his lady, the knight tries to bring to perfection the chivalrous and courteous qualities such his physical appearance or hygiene holds a primordial place and such its notability through great and nice legendary chivalrous stories. |
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With the company of "Tards-Venus" based in the department of Two - Wean (79), the knights get ready for a departure for battle. But very quickly, they understand that to defend itself in battle was also important as striking the enemy. The term "armour" appears only in the XVth century to indicate steel protections, previously they spoke about harnois. |
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Whoever says knight says knighting ceremony! |
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The weapons Master Hoël the Jangler, based to Saint Ouen les Vallons (53), initiates the children to art to play war and gives them "riding lesson" with his squires tournament. |
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War times are far away, but in the event, you have to train to keep fit ... The Lord organizes a tournament on foot between different knights to amuse and prepare for future fights. |
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War training takes up a lot of the life of a knight. With his squires, he tirelessly practices arms in the courtyard of his castle. Often, two men pull a dummy horse, mounted by the knight and he must hit the "quintaine". It is thanks to the "book of facts" of Jean Le Maingre, said Boucicaut, Marshal of France, (XIV / XVth centuries) that one apprehends the training method of an elite knight. In addition to hunt with packs of dogs, train falcon and participate in tournaments, the knight must run and hike, jump on the back of a well-equipped horse, strike with the ax, climb the walls of castles, climb to scale, etc ... The Knights of the Company of "Lions de guerre" based in Haute-Garonne (31) answer the call of the lord of Saint Mesmin and thus occupy the barnyard to complete their training because their spear of knight is decided to fight against these conflicts that ravaged France in the Middle Ages. Saturday and Sunday 25th and 26th of august, From 10.30am to 1.00pm and 2.00pm till 7.00pm Adult : €8 / Adult reduced rate : €6,5 Child (6 to 14 years) : €4 Free for those possessing a ambassador / loyalty card Family Pass: 22 euros (2 adults + 2 children) |
 Photo non contractuelle |
The game holds an important place in the life of the medieval man. Games are a source of entertainment but also an excellent learning. They are part of the daily lives of men and women in all social layers and especially the knight. However, on April 3, 1369, King Charles V promulgated a radical prescription prohibiting the practice of all games in favor of the handling of the bow and crossbow ... The games of dice, tables, the game of paume, the pins, the pucks, the soule and the palets are explicitly designated. In fact, all games "that have no use in our practice of handling weapons" are targeted, players exposing themselves to large fines. But with the contribution of "Le temps des jeux", based in Combrand (79), the forbidden will be braved at the castle ... and we will host many games of skill, strategy, throwing, challenges but also tables , proof that the Middle Ages played a lot ... and that everyone must behave nobly, with moderation and gallantry. The program of games of medieval origin but also modern games that will delight everyone: alquerque, pot game, merelle, trapenum, throwing pockets, hatch, fishing game, etc. From 27th of august till 2nd of September From 2.30pm till 6.30pm Adult : €6 / Adult reduced rate : €4,5 Child (6 to 14 years) : €3 Free for those possessing a ambassador / loyalty card Family Pass: 16 euros (2 adults + 2 children) |
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Since the 1990s a cultural, sports and martial phenomenon has appeared on the martial arts scene under the acronym AMHE. These AMHE covers a wide variety of martial practices over a period stretching from antiquity to the beginning of the 20th century. They allow to study and practice many weapons, but also various forms of hand to hand, such as wrestling or pugilism. Equestrian martial arts, with or without armor, are also attached. They rely on a process of reconstruction, as faithful as possible, techniques and systems of martial arts from historical sources. To date, more than 200 sources ranging from the 13th to the 20th century and many martial traditions have been identified that a few thousand amateurs and a handful of professionals study, mainly in North America and Europe. Guided by a historical interest or in search of new horizons, some will specialize on a given weapon (rapier, long sword, messer, court sword, military sword ...), Thus, with the group of study and practice BAST'YON *, based in the Roche sur Yon, four forms of armed work are presented to the castle of Saint Mesmin: to the long medieval sword according to Johannes Liechtenauer, (master fencer of the German Empire in the 14th century) medieval sword, Viking combat and Dussack (training weapon) according to Joachim Meyer * BAST'YON is a section of the Fencing Club Yonnais, fencing club sportswoman affiliated to the French Fencing Federation. The supervision of the courses is ensured by a Master of Arms graduated of state. https://www.facebook.com/amhebastyon/ * AMHE fit into a modern and secure practice environment, using the appropriate simulators and protections. This form of opposition fighting has no connection with choreographed artistic fencing. With the participation of a group of amateurs. Sunday 2nd of September From 2.30pm till 6.30 Adult : €6 / Adult reduced rate : €4,5 Child (6 to 14 years) : €3 Free for those possessing a ambassador / loyalty card Family Pass: 16 euros (2 adults + 2 children) |
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As every year, the Château de Saint Mesmin is preparing for this great national and European event that are the "European Heritage Days". |
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In the candlelight, visitors will be immersed in the daily life of the castle during the Hundred Years War. Between big and small story, they will discover, in the halls of the castle, costumed people straight from the fifteenth century, telling them about their daily lives with some surprises .... A concert of old music and a snack will close the visit. Saturday, September 15, 21h00 Only on reservation, limited number of places. Prices: Adult: 9 € Child (till 14 years old): 7 € Tourism office of Pouzauges: 02 51 91 82 46 |
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Time is running out, 90 minutes is the time set by Lovasport, organizer of the event, to go out of the surrounding wall of the castle of Saint Mesmin. With guaranteed immersion in the heart of a story ... will you be up to it? Indeed, provided with a road map, through games of mysteries and of escape, it is a history to take back up the "time" which waits for the players with in the programme: intrigues, clues, secret messages to decode, reading, reflexion by going through the different rooms of the castle. Objectives: By team of 5 players maximum or solo, it will be a question of baring the secret of the keep allowing so to go out of the castle of Saint Mesmin by crossing the saving drawbridge. The company Lovasport, based in Aizenay in Vendée, develops lately this fashionable concept today in France. At the origin of the escape game, at the beginning of 2000s, these are electronic games of escape come from Asia. These games made room, later, for full-scale simulation. SCRAP is the first company to create one " live escape game " in 2008 in Japan. , to develop progressively in Asia, then Eastern Europe and finally Western Europe. Appointment is made from the castle to get away the time of this «Escape game», halfway between a full-scale cluedo and a video game adapted by the real world. Information: contact@lovasport.fr and Inscriptions on www.lovasport.fr Prices : 25 € / person (from 14 years and accompanied with an adult) On Saturday 29th : 10h30, 14 h 00 and 16 h 30 and on Sunday 30th : 10h30 and 14 h 00 and 16h30.
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The school of magic "Collège Saint Mesmard" will normally re-open its doors to “not-magus” on next 27th and 28th of October. But while waiting for its reopening, a problem persists ... the trip professor Innocentus, who is supposed to make people travel from one world to another, has lost all means of contact with the “College Saint Mémard” and especially to travel between the different worlds... His magic travel strings are no longer magical ... Evil forces are certainly hiding behind this machination...The only hope! Is to help Innocentus to make reappear the school of magic in time ... The expected mission is simple: It is necessary to find the magical potion that will enchant the ropes again and unmask one or several culprits of this sordid affair. To your magic wands to put an end to this staggering investigation! Hours of Opening: From 21th of October till 25th of October 2018, From 2.30pm till 6.30pm Adult : €6 / Adult reduced rate : €4,5 Child (6 to 14 years) : €3 Free for those possessing a ambassador / loyalty card Family Pass: 16 euros (2 adults + 2 children) |
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Smell of sulfur, cobwebs, imaginary creatures and mystical incantations, by deciding to free themselves from the medieval daily life, the company "La confrérie facétieuse" based in Saumur (49) will propose an animation on the theme of the school of magic. This school of Magic, is opened, in fact, since a long time, but it was in sleep. Some teachers wished to reopen it. This is why, it is question of recruitment of small pupils, to know if they are apt to follow a magical schooling! In the spirit of Harry Potter, the Christmas of Scrooge (drawee of the news of Charles Dickens) the atmosphere will be inspired by a universe of the end of the 19th century, a bit fantastic and magical. Between school of sorcerer's apprentices and school of magic, facetious teachers of the Confrérie facétieuse, a little extravagant, will give lessons to potions and learning the basics of magic wands, without forgetting the discovery of the shop with candies, copiously garnished. The confectionery is open to sorcerer apprentices, and to their parents, naturelly! Saturday 27th and sunday 28th of October 2018, From 2.30pm till 6.30pm Adult : €6 / Adult reduced rate : €4,5 Child (6 to 14 years) : €3 Free for those possessing a ambassador / loyalty card Family Pass: 16 euros (2 adults + 2 children) |
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Even if the School of Magic has just closed its doors, luck is still there: the castle of Saint Mesmin organizes, as every 214 years, its "Big Tournament of Wizards". |
