King of the Birds Renaissance Festival

There's only one word that can describe this year's King of the Birds Festival--AWESOME.

In all the travel I have done, this was probably one of a handful of festive processions that I'd ever seen. It moved me deeply, as evidenced by my taking over 400 photos! The parade also reminded me of how grateful I was to be here in France to witness this extraordinary spectacle.

The five-day September 33-year-old event in Le Puy, the peak experience of the year, culminated in a parade of costumes down the Cathedral steps on Sunday afternoon ushered in by the King's guard in their blue and yellow uniforms.

King's banner

King's Guard

Many troops of bagpipers accompany the king. 

Crowds numbering in the thousands gathered early for a place along the parade route. Waiting for the big event to begin allowed onlookers to glimpse of what would prove to be "the Greatest Show on Earth", at least in Le Puy that day.

At the beginning of the parade, "King Francis I" and "Queen Eleanor" made an appearance....and oh they looked so royal! (see above photo)

Nobles in fine dress were also there. They certainly didn't lack in brilliant designs, colors, or royal comportment.

             

This gentleman seems to have been in many a parade--and he wasn't going to miss this one. He received an ovation from the crowd as he passed.

  

 

 

Peasants showed off their costumes and celebrated their trades.

Kids were adorable in their costumes, which also presented to them a history of their country and culture. (Earlier in the week, whole classrooms of kids attended the festival to learn about Renaissance life.)

            

The King of the Birds Festival is all about archery. There is a contest for the best archer. Meanwhile, the parade featured several companies of archers.

This one looks like Little John of Robin Hood fame.

Interesting persons in their costumes both in the parade and among the crowds added to the day's spectacle.

St. Jacques

Malapropism: peasant with a cell phone

Delicious crêpes with nutella and fruity flavors on hand

Many soldiers were on hand for the parade.

 

Flute players and other musicians offered Renaissance sounds, which complemented the exquisite costumes.

Saladin

a pirate?

Flute salesman roams the crowd

   

Executioner at the ready

Laurent Wauquiez, président de la région 'Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes made an appearance in costume, too.

Toothless poor man is a hit among the crowd.

                        

               

 

 

He looks like a jaunty academic.

Another take on "flying buttresses"? 

King of the Birds Renaissance Festival -- Night Camp

A "tent city" was erected for the Renaissance Festival just outside the old city of Le Puy. Meals were prepared in cauldrons over camp fires, and people who were working the festival slept and rested in the tents. Every day during the five-day festival you could smell the camp fires burning as a low cloud of smoke hung over the city.

Here's the view of the "tent city" with the lighted background of the Cathedral.

A "Renaissance-style" meal was on offer. It consisted of sausage, lentils, pork leg, some kind of liver and bread combo, a roll, a slice of cheese, and a cake dessert. 





Some peasant women pose for a photo in "tent city."










  A couple strolls in "tent city" in "Renaissance wear." 

Festival organizers encourage everyone to dress up in Renaissance costumes whether they are volunteers or onlookers. And people do! It felt a lot like Halloween seeing people dressed like this--a far cry from the jeans, shirts, and athletic shoes that they normally wear. 

There were many events at the Renaissance Festival that took place throughout the five days, and they were well-attended. There were jousting matches, wrestling matches, demonstrations of Renaissance tools, plays, music presentations, puppet shows, and of course, the archery contests that determined who would be crowned King of the Birds. Below are the horses that participated in the jousting matches.

The city invites people to volunteer their time for the Festival. Next year I hope to do just that....and to dress in Renaissance wear!