Home > Animations > Program
2019 : CHRONICLES OF A SIEGE
 Download the brochure |
 Watch the presentation of the castle |
Watch the video of "Knight's honor" |
 |
During the year 2019, the castle will tell "Chronicles of a Siege". At the end of XIVe century in Poitou, Pierre de Montfaucon, lord of Saint Mesmin has difficulties with his Suzerain, Guillaume Larchevêque, lord of Parthenay. A troubled atmosphere and mistrust is established in the castle between the two camps. We must prepare to go to war, make sure to have fortifications in good condition to support a siege, while going to daily occupations. Chronicles of a siege to live with a recruiting captain, a lord castle keeper but also a troubadour entertainer ... Thus with the L'Oriflamme company, three centers of animation will be proposed to the visitors to relate the chronicles of a siege "Commit yourself ! they said ... " with the recruiting captain. The attack is imminent at the castle ... .. Commit yourself they said! The captain, installed in the barnyard, shares his knowledge of siege techniques. Man of war, of military strategy, end manager, he leads his men, recruits them, prepares them, trains them, guides them, trains them. The experiment of the captain must, thus, result in the surrender of the stronghold, whatever the way: treason, negotiation, combat. It's all the art of attack! "Open your eyes! and the good one... "with the lord protector. The castle is in danger ... .Open the eye and the good one! Pierre de Montfaucon, in good lord, is folded in his fortress to hold the siege. In a fragile historical context of the Hundred Years War, the relationship between the vassal and his overlord can slip. So, everything must be ready and the permanent maintenance with: From the castle, its towers, its drawbridge, its moat. From garrison, men, some equipments and ammunitions. From intendance, essential reserves. It's all the art of defense! "Keep your spirits up to the highest ..." with the troubadour entertainer The siege will be long at the castle ... Keep your spirits high! What better than a troubadour to brighten the long days at the castle. The troubadour dances, sings, tells and plays and his good mood is communicative. He is at the same time an artist, a composer, a poet, and a player ... He likes, too, peddling the rumors which, in these confused times, such as the stories of battles, will serve perhaps to decipher the truth of the false. It's all the art of entertainment! And throughout the weekends of July and August: A season that opens as a real page of history, such as chronicles of siege, all camps together! |
 |
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: 2:00pm and 4:30pm and on Sunday: 2:00pm and 4:30pm • 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. |
 |
The year 2019 will contain "Chronicles of a Siege" at the castle of Saint Mesmin! A return to the Middle Ages is imperative: "At the end of the fourteenth century in Poitou, Pierre de Montfaucon, Lord of Saint Mesmin disagrees with his Suzerain, Guillaume Larchevêque, lord of Parthenay. A troubled atmosphere and mistrust is established in the castle between the two camps. It is thus necessary to prepare to go to war, to make sure of having fortifications in good condition to support a siege, while going to the daily occupations”. Chronicles of a siege to live in the castle of Saint Mesmin regardless of the chosen camp and which begin with an approach to the “poliorcétique” in the Middle Ages (or technical siege of the cities both in defense and attack). This is "The art of siege ", conference led by Mr. Renaud Beffeyte, great specialist in war machines in the Middle Ages. Bibliography Renaud Beyffete: The War in the Middle Ages Military Machines and Secrets (Ouest-France, January 2010), The Art of War in the Middle Ages, (Ouest-France, April 2015, The War Machines of the Middle Ages (West-France, March 2018) Sunday, June 2, 2019, at 3:30 pm Adult price: 6 €/ Adult reduced rate: 4.5 / Child rate (6 / 14years): 3 € Family Pass: € 16 (2 and 2 children) Free for those possessing a ambassador / loyalty card |
 |
A gourmet evening at the castle is possible! In Saint André sur Sèvre, at the castle of Saint Mesmin, a farmers' market will take place Friday, June 7 evening, to share with family or friends local gastronomic products. Friday, June 7th, 2019 From 6 :00 pm. FREE ENTRANCE For all enquiries: Tel: 05 49 80 17 62 contact@chateau-saintmesmin.com |
 |
This Sunday in the spotlight : Stories of siege As Froissart did so well in his chronicles, Lady Aénor, based in Rochefort (17), will tell "Stories of siege". Even if the columnist proclaims herself always concerned with truth, fiction and reality are easily combined. Everyone has their own technique for storming a castle:: projectiles, tricks undermines, climbing ... The opportunity to look at the historical stories and chronicles of the time when we tell funny stories populated by crossbowmen, drifting gunmen, long periods of winter spent in taverns, outdated siege machines, sulfur-smelling attacks, not to mention the very beginning of the appearance of firearms ... From historical accounts to legends, it is the other side of the story of the castle taking, in the Lady Aénor way that will tell the story of siege wars like you never heard before. Sunday, June 9, 2019, From 2:30pm till 6:30pm Adult price: €6 / Adult reduced rate: €4.5 /Child rate (6 / 14years): €3 Family Pass: €16 (2 and 2 children) Free for those possessing a ambassador / loyalty card |
 |
In the spotlight this Sunday : Activities of siege This Sunday, and more particularly the emphasis will be on leisure activities but also essential during a castle siege. With the company « Maisnie Amatista"; based in Ambillou (37), a thousand and one occupations are on the agenda. Maître Jehan has several strings to his bow and will address medieval surgery. The tools presented on the table will remind us of the oscillating medical and surgical universe of the profession of barber to that of surgeon. Don't be impressed by flesh spreaders, scalpels, probes, saws, scissors and other instruments! The treatments carried out on the wounded during the sieges were most certainly also part of a skilful combination of plants, dietetics, astrology and prayers. With Lady Ysold, the fairy fingers will also operate";. Between tablet weaving, embroidery and vegetable dyeing, we will discuss looms, yarns, fabrics and « grand teint";. Who still knows reseda, tansy, madder, walnuts? Plants based on a rich colour chart for natural dyeing of ribbons, yarns and fabrics. All this to embroider, weave, cut in order to repair outrages on the clothing of the besieged or besieging. Activities necessary daily to heal the horrors of these times of war! Sunday, June 16, from 14H30 to 18H30. Adult : €6 / Adult reduced rate : €4,5 / Child (6 to 14 years) : €3 Family Pass: €16 (2 adults + 2 children) Free for those possessing a ambassador / loyalty card |
 |
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. 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: “Renaissance concert & traditional oboe band music": For this renaissance 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. Sunday, June 23th, from 14H30 to 18H30. Adult : €6 / Adult reduced rate : €4,5 Child (6 to 14 years) : €3 Family Pass: €16 (2 adults + 2 children) Free for those possessing a ambassador / loyalty card |
 |
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 2.30 pm to 4.00 pm: Dancing concert "Jouyssance vous donneray" / Ballet des Dames: branles, pavanes, gaillardes, etc ... Followed From 16:30 to 17:30: a Renaissance ball open to all. A nice entertaining afternoon of Renaissance where music and dance will have talks merrily. Sunday, June 30, from 2:30pm till 6:30pm Adult : €6 /Adult reduced rate : €4,5 / Child (6 to 14 years) : €3 Family Pass: €16 (2 adults + 2 children) Free for those possessing a ambassador / loyalty card |
   Photos non contractuelles |
Thus with the L'Oriflamme company, three centers of animation will be proposed to the visitors to relate "the chronicles of a siege". |
 |
In the spotlight this weekend : Tales of siege Good tales make good friends"; will be the name given to the show given by Jehan Serien, a character straight out of the medieval world. In the Middle Ages, called fabliaux, farces or legends, these entertainments took place in front of churches, strongholds under siege, taverns and other public places, to bring joy and good humour. Like a fairy character, a leprechaun, out of the ordinary or even timeless, Jehan Sérien, this funny little man, does not hesitate, with all his guile and his verve buffoon, to dialogue with the public. He questions him, haranguing him even to the point of making some of them the heroes of his stories. A real moment of respite in these times of siege, all sprinkled with authenticity, humour, tenderness and a touch of madness. Sunday, July,13th and Sunday, July 14th From 11:00am 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€ Family Pass: €22 (2 adults + 2 children) Free for those possessing a ambassador / loyalty card |
 photo : Equinoxe 79 |
In the spotlight this weekend : Artillery of siege |
 |
In the spotlight this weekend : Arbalestria of siege |
 Photo : Jérome Avonde |
This weekend, in the spotlight: Siege figurines |
 |
This weekend in the spotlight: the child and the siege Child / pedestrian maneuvers with shields and spears By a battering ram attack of a "special gate" of a castle. At the disposal of all and with Lez Nominoë to the maneuver, the « Bricole » a war machine which is essentially defensive. |
 Photo non contractuelle |
In the spotlight during this long weekend : War machines of siege |
 Photo non contractuelle |
The Compagnie Fer de Lance is a Belgian company created in 1995 by enthusiasts of medieval history. She will present participatory activities at the Château de Saint Mesmin. The castle of Saint Mesmin is under siege and has been resisting for many months with still comfortable reserves. But both sides are now thinking about ending the siege without a bloodshed. . . The captains then agree to organize a duel of champions that will finally name the winner and allow the vanquished to surrender.. The end of the siege is close. . . The besiegers and besieged will thus lead, along with the public, throughout the weekend military tactics (espionage, entry controls, negotiations) to lead to the duel of champions. And in the end, history will remember who owns the castle of Saint Mesmin. Saturday, August, 24th and Sunday, August, 25th. From 11.00am to 1.00pm and 2.00pm till 7.00pm Adult : €8 / Adult reduced rate : €6,5 Child (6 to 14 years) : €4 Family Pass: €22 (2 adults + 2 children) Free for those possessing a ambassador / loyalty card |
 Photo non contractuelle |
Have you ever thought about building with your children, your own siege machine from the medieval era and playing with them in the real siege life. « Esprit maquette », a company based in Ponthierry (77), offers a wide range of models to be built and provides educational workshops for children. At the castle of Saint Mesmin, as « ensgenior »; or « mechanic »;, it will be proposed to the children (6/14 years old) to build a siege device called a trebuchet. From 26th of august till 30th of August Manufacture of a model war machines reserved for children aged 6 to 14, having paid their entrance fee. Workshop duration: about 1hour. Adult : €6 / Adult reduced rate : €4,5 Child (6 to 14 years) : €3 Family Pass: €16 (2 adults + 2 children) Free for those possessing a ambassador / loyalty card |
 Photo non contractuelle |
In the spotlight this weekend : Siege trades The season will soon end at Saint Mesmin's castle around the "chronicles of a seat". Before leaving the world of these wars of attrition, what better than to recall the importance of men and women who worked daily for the smooth conduct of the attack or the defense of strongholds. Come and meet the artillerymen of Fer de lance company, "enginesmen", crossbowmen, archers, sappers, negotiators, weapon servers, maneuvers; by not forgetting the "little hands" (cooking, supply, care, hygiene, etc.), which animate this life of castle! Saturday 31th of August and Sunday 1st of september From 2.30pm till 6.30 Adult : €6 / Adult reduced rate : €4,5 Child (6 to 14 years) : €3 Family Pass: €16 (2 adults + 2 children) Free for those possessing a ambassador / loyalty card |
 Photo non contractuelle |
This Sunday in ths spotlight : Stories of siege As Froissart did so well in his chronicles, Lady Aénor, based in Rochefort (17), will tell "Stories of siege". Even if the columnist proclaims herself always concerned with truth, fiction and reality are easily combined. Everyone has their own technique for storming a castle:: projectiles, tricks undermines, climbing ... The opportunity to look at the historical stories and chronicles of the time when we tell funny stories populated by crossbowmen, drifting gunmen, long periods of winter spent in taverns, outdated siege machines, sulfur-smelling attacks, not to mention the very beginning of the appearance of firearms ... From historical accounts to legends, it is the other side of the story of the castle taking, in the Lady Aénor way that will tell the story of siege wars like you never heard before. Sunday, September, 8th From 2.30pm till 6.30 Adult : €6 / Adult reduced rate : €4,5 Child (6 to 14 years) : €3 Family Pass: €16 (2 adults + 2 children) Free for those possessing a ambassador / loyalty card |
 |
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. Friday, september 13th and Saturday, september 14th, 21h00 Only on reservation, limited number of places. Adult: €9 / Child (till 14 years old): €7 Tourism office of Pouzauges: 02 51 91 82 46 |
 |
This Sunday, and more particularly the emphasis will be on leisure activities but also essential during a castle siege. With the company « Maisnie Amatista"; based in Ambillou (37), a thousand and one occupations are on the agenda. Maître Jehan has several strings to his bow and will address medieval surgery. The tools presented on the table will remind us of the oscillating medical and surgical universe of the profession of barber to that of surgeon. Don't be impressed by flesh spreaders, scalpels, probes, saws, scissors and other instruments! The treatments carried out on the wounded during the sieges were most certainly also part of a skilful combination of plants, dietetics, astrology and prayers. With Lady Ysold, the fairy fingers will also operate";. Between tablet weaving, embroidery and vegetable dyeing, we will discuss looms, yarns, fabrics and « grand teint";. Who still knows reseda, tansy, madder, walnuts? Plants based on a rich colour chart for natural dyeing of ribbons, yarns and fabrics. All this to embroider, weave, cut in order to repair outrages on the clothing of the besieged or besieging. Activities necessary daily to heal the horrors of these times of war! Sunday, September 15th, from 14H30 to 18H30. Adult : €6 / Adult reduced rate : €4,5 Child (6 to 14 years) : €3 Family Pass: €16 (2 adults + 2 children) Free for those possessing a ambassador / loyalty card |
|
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. Friday, September, 20 and Saturday, September 21, 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 |
 |
As every year, the Château de Saint Mesmin is preparing for this great national and European event that are the "European Heritage Days". |
 |
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 28th : 2:00pm and 4:30pm and on Sunday 29th : 2:00pm and 4:30pm
|
 |
The school of magic "Collège Saint Mesmard" will normally reopen its doors to “non-mages” on October 26 and 27. But, once again, this year, the forces of evil have struck again !!! ... All the teachers of the School of Magic have received a spell, the spell "Metaschimatismosanimalis": they have all been transformed into animals !! ! The equation is simple: no teachers = no School of Magic !!! But there is still hope ... Innocentus !!! The only teacher who has not been touched and transformed. He is going to need your help to restore the appearance of all these good teachers. To you to lead the investigation and to your magic wands !!! From 20th of October till 24th of Octobe From 2.30pm till 6.30pm Adult : €6 / Adult reduced rate : €4,5 Child (6 to 14 years) : €3 Family Pass: €16 (2 adults + 2 children) Free for those possessing a ambassador / loyalty card |
  |
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 26th and sunday 27th of October,From 2.30pm till 6.30pm Adult : €6 / Adult reduced rate : €4,5 Child (6 to 14 years) : €3 Family Pass: €16(2 adults + 2 children) Free for those possessing a ambassador / loyalty card |
 |
"Hunting imaginary creatures" |
