The tenth biennial Festival of the Cape and Rapier will take place over the weekend that falls after Bastille Day, 14th July 2014. The little 'ideal town' suddenly is inundated with visitors and street life as the inhabitants put on a historic show in the squares and classical streets that are found within its walls. The festival further attracts all sorts of historic re-enactment clubs and societies, whose members populate the town with musketeers, musicians, fine ladies, horsemen and horsewomen on their foaming steeds.
During the festival, the 17th century town seems to become a huge theatre set and smiles back at all the hubbub and bustle. So in contrast to its normal rather calm, lonely and under-populated character.
The festival has grown over its ten versions - 1994 to 2014 - and is becoming an ever larger and more convincing event.
Each year citizens are selected to personify the cardinal duc, and his master and mistress, Louis XIII and Queen Anne. They drive about in carriages and 'smile and wave' at the populace.
THERE IS NO SHORTAGE OF PURVEYORS OF STREET FOOD, LUNCHES AND SUPPERS. ROAST OX etc. etc.
THERE IS NO SHORTAGE OF PURVEYORS OF STREET FOOD, LUNCHES AND SUPPERS. ROAST OX etc. etc.
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A movie of the last festival, the 9th, from 2012
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