Provins 2012: A medieval celebration

There is a small charming town called Provins. It's approximately 2 hours from Paris. 

 There are beautiful houses with cosy balcony overlooking little streams.

And there of pretty windows with pretty flowers, just how I like it.

There is also a medieval tower (?) called Caesar's Tower.

And knights and ladies taking five just below. 

So yes we went here today and travelled back in time! Boy was it fun! A two day medieval fest takes places here every year in June. We had to pay a 10€ entry fee (it would have been 4,50 euros had we come disguised as medieval age people) and there was a variety of stalls set up and playgrounds set up with games people played in medieval times, also makeshift guillotine stands, along with concerts and everything was done by people in disguise! Folklore had transformed itself into a mixed reality because it didn't seem strange to see Robin Hood texting or Merlin smoking a cigarette or the Witches buying hotdogs. All in a days work.

There were fun things to see and do at Provins. But the best of things was only heard. It's been so long since I heard live Celtic music and being an ardent fan, this was a real treat! I noticed that the French bagpipes are smaller than their Scottish counterparts and the form seemed different too. The sound was the same magical one, of the sea, of legends, of fairies, of dragons, of knights, of damsels, of passion.

 There were men playing mandolins.

 And this artist in her medieval atelier.

 with her beautiful paints all over.

 This man who taught calligraphy and signed your name on bookmarks.

A parade was organized in the town and the costumes were really impressive. I can't believe there are people who go through such an effort to sew these outdated sagasque clothes! It was a beautiful sight and kids just loved this. And I did too because they all seemed to step out of the fairy tales I read when I was a child.

There was the flag bearer.

 A damsel. I love all the colours in this photo. Makes such an interesting palette!

 This could be a knight or crusader. 

 A priestess? She looked so happy. 

A witch. Don't you just love this woman's makeup!

 The King leading his army.

Fancy pixie/jester shoes, which I wore in my childhood mental movies or the elves did when they came to visit.

A grandmom?

 Is that Robin Hood or a merry man?

 A Sultan's Sultana?

 More knights.

 A really tall mythical creature.

 I have no idea what this instrument is, but it made beautiful music!

 Pretty lady and plus points for the person carrying her!

 Mascarade!

 The leper's stare

 A woman grinch?

 Mythical creatures playing bagpipes..

 And there's Robin again with Marian

 Some happy people of the court.

 A courtier from Brittany. He's wearing the symbol of his homeland.

Ah, long trumpets to announce the arrival and the end of good and bad things. What an event! We left with refreshed memories of childhood stories read in books, of animations films that made us dream, it helped us understand that continuing traditions is a beautiful thing and of course legends will live forever.