THE GREATEST SHOW IN AQUITAINE
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300 actors, 50 riders
and 100 animals at the heart of the action
Each year for the past 35 years, the inhabitants of Castillon-la-Bataille and the surrounding villages have
been commemorating the final battle of the One Hundred Year War, which took place on 17 July 1453, by
putting on a magnificent spectacle with a large number of actors.
“The Battle of Castillon” has become one of the most popular cultural events in Aquitaine and has attracted
more than 700 000 spectators since its inception.
Produced by Eric Le Collen and narrated by Claude Villers and Christian Morin, the two-hour re-enactment
recalls the events which, between 1452 and 1453, brought turmoil to Aquitaine and resulted in its return to
the kingdom of France. This historical episode is recounted from the precincts of the Abbey of St Florent
which happened to be at the centre of a battle which altered the balance of power in Europe. The audience
shares in turn the anxieties of the abbot with regard to his flock, the inhabitants with regard to their wine
production, the nobleman with regard to his lands and Raoul with regard to the fidelity of his wife. It
relives with Jean Talbot, sworn enemy of Joan of Arc, the charge against the soldiers of Charles VII, and
with Jean Bureau it relives the defeat of the Anglo-Aquitanian army with the fire from his 300 cannons.
In 2012, the re-enactment completes its total metamorphosis which started 4 years ago : A number of
important changes (staging, actions, décor, music, lighting, pyrotechnics …) have given new life to the
production with an optimistic ending opening the door to the Renaissance.
Between 20 July and 17 August, the organisers are expecting 30 000 people to attend the 12 performances
of 2012.
This year yet again, the vast 7 hectare area at the foot of the Chateau of Castegens will be the setting for
each performance, bringing together 300 actors and 50 riders but also more than a hundred animals
(horses, oxen, pigs, dogs, goats, donkeys, sheep, pigeons, geese) who contribute in full measure to the
success of the performances.
Since Spring, the voluntary actors (on foot and on horseback) have been rehearsing and the animals have
been undergoing their training.
Some 50 horses - stars of the second act.
In the equestrian clubs which take part in the Battle, the riders train
their mounts and get ready for the selection which takes place at the
beginning of June. For safety reasons, only horses which are
psychologically stable and which clearly have total confidence in their
rider, are selected.
Indeed, as the war-horses of old, they will charge in line, boot to boot,
fighting in the midst of people on foot and they will make their battle
charge in a spectacular crossing, with no fear of the fire-torches, the sound of the cannons, the fire-works
or the applause of spectators. What is more, unlike their predecessors, they will be playing their role at
night, on a very steep slope, without ever endangering the other horses or the actors.
More than a third of the cavalry of the Battle is composed of Spanish, Lusitanian and Arab horses. The
horses selected, geldings and mares, are all of medium size, on average about 7 or 8 years old (those older
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than 18 cannot participate anymore). Their role and their allotted place in the show are determined by
their livery so that they will show up in the dark of the night and create strong images in all the action.
Some 50 horses participate in the show under the technical equestrian management of Jacky Prunis. They
belong to 4 stables in the Gironde. Each has its own specific characteristics and is awarded its particular
role in the battle in accordance with its horses and their abilities:
- harnessing, stunts and the blazing wagon (mostly Polish horses) : Eric de Mailly
- Side-saddle riders, English riders (6 Anglo-Arabs and Selle Français/French Saddlebred) : Bernard Bazas
- English riders, side-saddle riders and Talbot’s lieutenants : Saint-Selves
- Talbot, Eleanor, French and Breton riders, the pursuit of the blazing wagon, the scene of the free horses :
ATEA (Equestrian and Animal Technical Association)
In 2011, the final scene of the battle was replaced by a poetic sequence,
full of symbolism, of horses finding their liberty.
Almost as soon as the combats are over, some 10 horses with their
saddles and harnesses removed, revolve gracefully in front of King Louis
XI who has come to return to his new subjects in Aquitaine, their
freedoms and privileges after nine years of servitude.
Four Spanish horses and 5 Lusitanian horses (breeds well adapted to
performing), as well as the thorough-bred Arab called Pacifique (chosen for his beauty and intelligence),
take part in this moving scene. They have received long training and they perform with elegance,
responding to voice commands, totally unperturbed despite the intense battle in which they have just been
involved.
Numerous farm animals, actors in their own right, happy to be on stage
Alice the sow (cross between Basque and Bayeux) and her accomplice Chouchou (Gascon), chosen for their
rustic mediaeval looks, have been part of the show for several years and need no rehearsals. The team of
oxen (Lourdes) or the pair of Blondes (Aquitaine) also play their part by heart, needing little or no guidance
from their trainer.
The unpredictable donkeys are more capricious actors. They follow carrots hidden in the capes of the
pilgrims, but often and without warning, interrupt their act by galloping back to their training area dragging
in their wake the children who are leading them.
In supporting roles, the sheep, goats or geese appear throughout the different scenes of village life and are
all on stage during the Castillon fair which closes the first act.
The pack of hunting dogs loudly applauded for its elegance, its enthusiasm and its
impertinence
In the first act, a pack of dogs, tails in the air, come running in and invade the
stage in absolute disarray much to the amusement of the younger members of
the audience. Inquisitive show-offs, they run all over the place, amusing
themselves in the scenery or under the dresses of the actresses, but at the first
sound of the horn, they come back together, leaving, it must be said, one or two
of their pack looking for the remains of a sandwich or an unlikely bone in the
middle of the centre-stage.
Each animal knows its role, recognises the music which gives it its cue and shows
signs of impatience in the wings before coming on stage. Alice the sow has even
taken up the habit of announcing her entry with a series of loud honks.
This year, in order to meet these actors before the show and give them their deserved recognition, a farm
will be set up at the entrance to the site, in the village of Eleanor.
Practical Information
12 performances in 2012
20 - 21 - 27 - 28 July at 22h30
2 - 3 - 4 - 10 - 11 - 14 - 16 - 17 August at 22h30
Information and Bookings
 Le Bureau de la Bataille (Office of the Battle) :
 05 57 40 14 53 / info@batailledecastillon.com
BP 124 Castillon-la-Bataille
www.batailledecastillon.com
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 Ticket offices in France : Carrefour, Fnac, Géant, Bon Marché. Tél. 0 892 692 694 (0,34€ttc/min)
 Ticketnet : Auchan, Cultura, E.Leclerc, Virgin Megastore, Cora : www.ticketnet.fr
Tél. 0 892 390 100 (0,34€ttc/min)
Office de Tourisme de Saint-Emilion. Tél. 05 57 55 28 28
Price per person
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Children under 5 years : free / Children between 5 and 12 years : 9€ / Children between 3 and 17
years : 15€
Adults : 22€
Groups, disabled persons, large families and students : contact the office
Bookings made on the spot on the evening of performances : + 2€ per person
Catering : On the spot from 19h30. Dinner in the open air at the mediaeval Inn.
Geographical Situation
Castillon-la-Bataille is situated in the Gironde :
45 minutes from Bordeaux, 45 minutes from Bergerac, 45 minutes from Agen, 1 hour from Périgueux
Site of the show : at the foot of the château de Castegens
Belvès-de-Castillon is 3 minutes from Castillon-la Bataille.
Bookings for accommodation

Office du tourisme in Castillon/Pujols
Reception office (Bureau d’accueil) in Castillon-la-Bataille
 : 05 57 40 27 58/ Email : ot.accueilcastillon@wanadoo.fr

Maison du vin Castillon-Côtes de Bordeaux
Gîtes and bed and breakfast in various wine estates
 : 05 57 40 00 88/ Email : contact@castillon-cotesdebordeaux.com
Photos of the show:  Jean-Bernard NADEAU (will be sent on request)
Press Contacts
Sophie MAKO or Jean-Stéphane TRYZNA / JST Conseil
contact@jstconseil.eu
Tel. 01 48 53 31 75 - 05 57 84 05 92 (July –August) / 06 09 97 53 11