Every year in early June, the Joan of Arc Festival (Fêtes Johanniques) in Reims is a weekend-long event commemorating the coronation of Charles VII in Reims Cathedral on 17 July 1429. To mark the occasion, the city relives the Middle Ages. A medieval village is recreated with a hundred or so craftspeople and pedlars dressed in period costume. Minstrels and jugglers enliven the streets and contribute to the cheerful atmosphere. The programme includes many family activities: a falconry display, wool-spinning and stone-cutting workshops, introduction to handling medieval weapons, Celtic and Arabic-Andalusian music concerts and a festive parade by groups in fancy dress.
The great highlight of the festivities remains the historical re-enactment of the coronation procession, reminding people of the arrival of Joan of Arc and the Dauphin in the city of Reims. Hundreds of extras take part in the show. A big pyrotechnic show is also held on Saturday night and sweeps spectators away to a poetic and enchanting world.
