Festival du Roi de l’Oiseau France 2025

Background & History

The Festival du Roi de l’Oiseau, or Fêtes Renaissance du Roi de l’Oiseau, is a vibrant celebration held annually in Le Puy-en-Velay, France, since 1986. This event revives a 16th-century tradition where archers competed to shoot a “papagaï” (parrot), with the winner crowned “King of the Bird” for a year.

The 2025 edition, marking the 40th anniversary, celebrates the historical entry of King François I into Le Puy-en-Velay in 1533, offering an immersive Renaissance experience with over 120,000 visitors expected. The festival transforms the city’s historic streets into a living stage of 16th-century Velay, featuring authentic costumes, music, and crafts.

Cultural Significance

The festival is a cultural cornerstone, blending historical authenticity with festive joy. It recreates 16th-century life through period-accurate reenactments, fostering a sense of community and education. Recognized as France’s largest Renaissance festival, it draws participants from across Europe, emphasizing values of respect, mutual aid, and shared heritage. The 2025 theme, “The Entry of King François I into Le Puy-en-Velay,” highlights the grandeur of royal visits, with special appearances by reenactors portraying Ottoman ambassadors, adding exotic flair.

Event Highlights

• Grand archery contest and crowning of the King of the Bird on September 20.
• Renaissance market in Jardin Henri Vinay with artisans showcasing blacksmithing and leatherwork.
• Street performances, including jugglers, musicians, and fire shows.
• Historical reenactments of daily life, military camps, and cannon battles.
• Evening spectacles with pyrotechnics and Renaissance balls.
• Educational workshops for schoolchildren on calligraphy, ancient games, and period cuisine.

Key Activities and Events

• Bourse aux Costumes Renaissance (August 29-30, MPT Brives-Charensac, 4 Place de la Libération, 43700 Brives-Charensac): A costume sale to prepare for the festival.
• Vide-Coffre Renaissance (September 7, Salle Jeanne d’Arc, 1 Rue Jeanne d’Arc, 43000 Le Puy-en-Velay): A Renaissance-themed flea market.
• Opening Day (September 17, Haute-Ville, Le Puy-en-Velay): Street performances and camp setups begin.
• Dragon Time Spectacle (September 18 at 9:00 PM; September 19-20 at 11:00 PM, Place du Breuil): A grand pyrotechnic show.
• Concert Daridel (September 18, Place du Breuil): Traditional music performance.
• Concert Le Sacre de François 1er (September 18, Place du Breuil): A musical tribute to the 1533 royal entry.
• Renaissance Balls (September 19, Verveine du Velay; September 20, Lentille, Jardin Henri Vinay): Dance events with period music.
• Vellave Wrestling Tournament (September 20, Place du Breuil): Traditional wrestling matches.
• Archery Finale and Crowning (September 20, 7:30 PM, Place du Breuil): The main archery contest and King of the Bird coronation.
• Closing Parade (September 21, 3:00 PM, from Cathédrale Notre-Dame): A grand procession led by the new King of the Bird.

2025 Theme

The 2025 festival commemorates King François I’s visit to Le Puy-en-Velay on July 18, 1533, as a pilgrimage to Notre-Dame. Over 30 associations recreate this royal entry with lavish costumes, historical reenactments, and a meeting with Ottoman ambassadors, reflecting the era’s diplomatic and cultural exchanges. The theme emphasizes elegance, gratitude, and Renaissance ideals of friendship and respect.

Organizing Committee

The festival is organized by the King Bird Association (Association du Roi de l’Oiseau), supported by over 30 local associations and the Compagnie de l’Alauda for artistic coordination. Volunteers, numbering in the hundreds, ensure authenticity in costumes, performances, and logistics. The 2025 event is led by President Gérard Langrené, with coordination from the Office de Tourisme du Puy-en-Velay.

Date

• Date: September 17-21, 2025
• Time: Varies by event; main activities from 10:00 AM to 11:00 PM daily

Duration

• Duration: 5 days

Venue

• City: Le Puy-en-Velay, Haute-Loire, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, France
• Main Venues and Addresses:
  • Haute-Ville (Historic Center): Various streets, 43000 Le Puy-en-Velay
  • Place du Breuil (Main Stage and Theatre): 43000 Le Puy-en-Velay
  • Jardin Henri Vinay (Renaissance Market): Boulevard Saint-Louis, 43000 Le Puy-en-Velay
  • Cathédrale Notre-Dame (Closing Parade Start): 2 Rue Manécanterie, 43000 Le Puy-en-Velay
  • MPT Brives-Charensac (Costume Sale): 4 Place de la Libération, 43700 Brives-Charensac
  • Salle Jeanne d’Arc (Vide-Coffre): 1 Rue Jeanne d’Arc, 43000 Le Puy-en-Velay
• Note: Events span the historic center, with key activities at Place du Breuil and Jardin Henri Vinay.

Contact Information

• Official Website: roideloiseau.com
• Email: costumes.roi@gmail.com (costume rentals); contact via website for general inquiries
• Phone: +33 4 71 02 84 84 (King Bird Association); +33 6 71 42 72 00 (costume workshop); +33 4 71 09 03 45 (ticketing)
• Social Media:
  • Facebook: roideloiseauofficiel
  • Instagram: FetesduRoidelOiseauPuyenVelay
• Office de Tourisme: Place du Clauzel, 43000 Le Puy-en-Velay, +33 4 71 09 38 41

Ticket Information

• General Admission: Free for most street performances and activities.
• Specific Event Tickets (converted to USD, using 1 EUR = 1.06 USD):
  • Concert Daridel: $7.42
  • Renaissance Balls (Verveine du Velay or Lentille): $8.48
  • Concert Le Sacre de François 1er: $10.60
  • Vellave Wrestling Tournament: $8.48 (full), $5.30 (reduced, under 10 years)
  • Renaissance Market Entry (Jardin Henri Vinay): $1.59 (free for under 10 years)
  • Archery Contest Registration: $2.12 (adult), $1.06 (child)
  • Pack Festival (includes medal, programme, market pass): $21.20
  • Official Medal: $12.72
  • Programme: $4.24
  • Pass Marché Renaissance (4-day market access): $6.36
• Free: Children under 3 for ticketed events.
• Purchase: Online at roideloiseau.com/billetterie or at Théâtre du Puy-en-Velay (Place du Breuil, open Tuesday-Friday 12:30 PM-6:30 PM, Saturday 10:30 AM-12:30 PM). On-site sales 30 minutes before shows, subject to availability. Payment by credit card, cash, check, holiday vouchers, culture vouchers, Pass’ Région, or HAPPYKdo check. Tickets are non-exchangeable and non-refundable unless canceled by organizers.

Costume Rentals

• Location: 29 Rue Raphaël, 43000 Le Puy-en-Velay
• Rates (USD, 1 EUR = 1.06 USD):
  • Full Festival (September 17-21): Adults $47.70, Children $31.80, Capes $26.50
  • Daily: Adults $31.80, Children $21.20, Capes $15.90
  • Deposits (by check): People’s costume $159, Bourgeois costume $265, Cape $106
• Rental Periods: September 1-6, 8-13, 15-21; daily rentals September 17-21
• Returns: September 21 (9:00 AM-2:00 PM) or September 22-27
• Contact: costumes.roi@gmail.com, +33 6 71 42 72 00
• Note: Costumes must be returned unwashed but in good condition; damages incur charges.

Cultural Experience

The festival immerses visitors in the 16th century with authentic costumes, music, and cuisine. Attendees can don period attire to join reenactments, enhancing the experience. Over 300 free performances, including jugglers, fire-eaters, and musicians, fill the streets. The Renaissance market offers crafts like pottery and weaving, while camps depict military and merchant life. The event’s authenticity, from costumes to food, creates a living history lesson, especially for school groups.

Food & Drinks

• Renaissance Market (Jardin Henri Vinay): Offers period cuisine like wood-fired stews, bread, and tarts (~$3-$10).
• Taverns serve hypocras and mead (non-alcoholic options available, ~$2-$5).
• Local restaurants in Haute-Ville provide modern French cuisine (~$10-$20).
• Cash and cards accepted; some vendors may prefer cash.

Family & Accessibility

The festival is family-friendly, with free entry for children under 3 and reduced rates for those under 10. Activities like ancient games and workshops engage kids. The historic center is partially accessible; cobblestone streets may challenge wheelchairs, but Place du Breuil and Jardin Henri Vinay are navigable. Accessible toilets are available at Place du Breuil. Well-behaved dogs are allowed; guide dogs permitted throughout. Contact the Office de Tourisme (+33 4 71 09 38 41) for accessibility details.

Getting There

• By Air: Lyon-Saint-Exupéry Airport (LYS, 85 miles, 2-hour drive) or Clermont-Ferrand Auvergne Airport (CFE, 80 miles, 2.25-hour drive).
• By Train: Le Puy-en-Velay Station (Gare du Puy-en-Velay, 1 Place Maréchal Leclerc, 43000) connects to Lyon and Saint-Étienne. Book via sncf-connect.com.
• By Car: From Saint-Étienne (1 hour), Lyon (2 hours), or Clermont-Ferrand (2.25 hours). Parking at Parking Estival (Avenue de Bonneville, 43000) or Parking Relais (Rue Pierre Farigoule, 43000).
• Public Transport: Local buses via TUDIP network; check tudip.fr for routes.
• By Foot: Haute-Ville is walkable from Le Puy-en-Velay Station (10-15 minutes to Place du Breuil).
• Note: Book transport early due to high demand.

Volunteer Opportunities

Volunteers assist with setup, crowd management, and workshops. Benefits include free event access and costume rentals. Apply via roideloiseau.com or contact +33 4 71 02 84 84.

Sponsorship Opportunities

Sponsors support cultural and educational goals. Contact the King Bird Association at +33 4 71 02 84 84 or via roideloiseau.com.

Local Attractions

• Cathédrale Notre-Dame: UNESCO-listed cathedral (2 Rue Manécanterie, 43000).
• Rocher Corneille: Hilltop statue with city views (43000).
• Musée Crozatier: Art and history museum (2 Rue Antoine Martin, 43000).
• Chapelle Saint-Michel d’Aiguilhe: Rock-top chapel (1 Place du Rocher, 43000).
• Cloître de la Cathédrale: Historic cloister (3 Rue du Cloître, 43000).

Accommodation Tips

Book early at hotels like Hôtel Bristol (7 Avenue Maréchal Foch, 43000) or Ibis Styles (47 Boulevard Maréchal Fayolle, 43000). Budget options include gîtes in Brives-Charensac or Espaly-Saint-Marcel. Airbnb offers apartments in Haute-Ville for proximity.

Safety and Etiquette

• Carry cash for small vendors; ATMs available but may charge fees.
• Tip vendors $1-$2 for purchases.
• Respect historical reenactments and avoid disrupting performances.
• Bags may be checked; avoid large backpacks.
• Photography encouraged; check roideloiseau.com for photo policy.

Community and Economic Impact

The festival attracts over 120,000 visitors, boosting local businesses like restaurants, hotels, and shops in Le Puy-en-Velay. It supports cultural preservation through volunteer-driven reenactments and educational programs, reinforcing the region’s identity as a historical hub.