“Some have been waiting for this for years”: in Blaye, the Vauban citadel in the age of the troubadours

The new Jaufré-Rudel Festival is taking shape in the citadel of Blaye. Conferences, markets, tours, and knighthoods are on the program.

"We have more people than we anticipated..." Vincent Merchadou runs around, walkie-talkie in hand, talking with exhibitors, sorting out the little problems that constantly arise during a premiere. On this Saturday, September 6, the man is not wearing his crown , that of the prince of the micronation of Hélianthis, Vincent ^I , his alter ego for more than ten years . But a humble chasuble of the head of the guard. Ideal for keeping an eye on everything. Relaunching the Jaufré-Rudel Festivals, the prince and his team from the Astréphélia association have chosen a return to the past, with medieval festivities in the very heart of the citadel of Blaye. A first. The event continues all this Sunday, September 7.

Vauban's citadel, a 17th ^- century creation, an anachronistic setting? It's not. Remains from the ^12th and ^13th centuries, the Rudel castle, have been preserved within the complex designed by Louis XIV's architect. "We didn't know how a medieval festival would be received," confesses Vincent ^I. "But people are very receptive. Some, to our great surprise, have been waiting for this for years."

The parade through the streets of Blaye met with a crowd. As did Anaël Train's educational walks. "Or even the games..." The weather was kind to the organizers, even if the 32°C temperature on Saturday afternoon was more likely to encourage a trip to the beach.

“We didn’t know how a medieval festival would be received. But people are very receptive. Some, to our surprise, have been waiting for this for years.”

Families learn about medieval weaponry in the reconstructed 12th ^- century encampment. Further on, onlookers applaud the exploits of the swordsmen of the Cadets de l'Estuaire, a fencing troupe from Plassac. "There are some very interesting moments," comments Marie, a woman from Libourne who came to see the show. "There are some very well-kept costumes. And some more surprising things," she smiles. "Some visitors came in costume. But here we're more in the fantasy realm..."

Further on, Ghislain and Cécile dared to wear costumes, but as experts. "Scottish costumes," Ghislain smiles. "We're part of a troupe in the Dordogne." Their opinion? "The setting is superb. But we would have liked a little more music, minstrels..." It's planned. The Respelida trio, a regular at Hélianthis, will perform this Sunday in the chapel of the Minimes convent.

Spectators gather for a knighting demonstration. The squire, kneeling before an incarnation of Richard the Lionheart, has had his commandments read to him and has been fitted with a coat of mail. He is knighted by the son of Eleanor of Aquitaine. Vincent ^I smiles. The approximately 1,500 visitors on this first day are encouraging. And the next day's, a little less heated, promises to be promising...