15 August at Château de Gizeux: Dive into history!

The annual festival is back for another edition!

18 km from Langeais, 15 from Bourgueil, for one day, the immense Château de Gizeux comes to life in the time of the Musketeers and Louis XV. Every year since 2018, 15 August has been an opportunity for all our visitors to immerse themselves in history and forge unforgettable memories…

From 10.30am to 7pm, come and discover this historic venue, its salons and its park, which will be hosting 80 local producers, artists and craftspeople for the day,as well as a host of family activities. For a bite to eat, there are inns and taverns to welcome you in a warm and friendly atmosphere.

Between the present and the past, more than 200 people in costume, historical re-enactment associations, fencers, musicians, waders, dancers, falconers and equestrian trainers come together to relive the atmosphere of the 18th century and immerse you in history.

To round off the day in style, enjoy the Scénofolie, a spectacular play retracing the history of the château, with almost a hundred actors on stage!

Book your tickets now!

History of the festival

The 15 August festival exists first and foremost thanks to the many volunteers who have been and continue to be involved every year in making it possible.

In 2018, for the first edition, a large number of volunteers from Gizeux and the surrounding area worked towards its creation: they then created the association ‘Les Amis de Gizeux’. Initially, they hoped to welcome 1,000 visitors, but in the end over 3,000 people set foot in the château!

In 2019, the event was a resounding success, with 3,800 visitors of all ages discovering the fifty or so craftspeople, local producers and artists who took over the castle. The events were a great success, and everyone left with stars in their eyes. Touchdown!

In 2020, because of the COVID-19 crisis, the 15 August festival is being held behind closed doors. The organisers, volunteers from all walks of life, comedians and fencers got together to dream about the future… The many young people who had come from all over France to contribute to previous editions joined forces and created a second association: Les Fous du Château de Gizeux.

In 2021, the festival was subject to a health pass, an additional challenge for the organising volunteers! The Amis de Gizeux took up the challenge successfully, redoubling their efforts and ingenuity to meet the requirements, and attracted nearly 2,500 visitors that year. As for Les Fous du Château, they offered to extend the festivities with an evening party of mussels and french fries and traditional dances on the Château’s Great terrace.

In 2022, the Amis de Gizeux are handing over the reins to their little brothers: Les Fous du Château are taking over! This young association, the vast majority of whose members are under the age of 30, worked hand in hand with the previous organisers to take up the torch. And once again, nearly 3,000 visitors flocked to the castle gates! For the first time, the association is also offering its Scénofolie: a major open-air spectacle designed entirely by volunteers, a real panorama retracing the history of the Château, with over 80 actors and swordsmen!

In 2023, the festival expand beyond the ramparts and take over the forecourts as far as the moat. Over An additional 6,000m² of stalls, 18th-century campsites and all-new events. The 18th-century event was a great success, attracting more than 4,000 visitors from all over the world to enjoy a day packed with entertainment, local discoveries and historical immersion.

In 2024, Les Fous du Château will once again be working hard to bring you a crazy day full of joy, conviviality and surprises.

Come and dive into history too!