The great medieval parade started strong on Friday evening, officially kicking off the festival with 500 artists. This year's theme, the element "air", was represented in every aspect of the event, as the great phoenix, the Youplaboum troupe's giant puppet, wandered the streets to everyone's delight.

Concerts, parades, wandering minstrels and jugglers all enlivened the rest of the weekend. Traditional Norman dances and songs, blacksmiths, sculptors, carpenters and many more were gathered to share their knowledge, offering a remarkable glimpse into the past. While art was present in the vast majority of the events, a bit more action took place in the park with archery and sword-fighting demonstrations. And if you were looking for a fun way to pass the afternoon, many wooden games were on display for all to play with, offering good times to spend with friends and family.

Visitors, dressed up or not, got to enjoy the medieval market located around the cathedral. With its 120 shops and food stalls, it offered a variety of crafts to take home as beautiful souvenirs or accessories to add to and perfect the festival-goer's outfit. And as the festival came to a close, Bayeux is already preparing for the 40th edition, promising an even better programme for 2027.