Auray medieval market: “We dream of something and we make it real”

What if traveling back in time meant entering a parking lot in downtown Auray on December 21? As soon as we arrive at the perimeter of the chapel of the Holy Spirit, we are transported to the Middle Ages (and this, without the indigestible potion of the enchanter Godefroy de Montmirail!). “We dream of something and we make it real,” says Sylvie Roux, president of the Celtic’Fest association. She is the one who organizes this medieval Christmas market alongside her husband, Christophe, and around twenty volunteers. Their passion? The Middle Ages. But above all: organize medieval events.

Double vie

And this welcoming couple, dressed in costumes that evoke medieval times, has an astonishing journey. “I was a sales representative for Microsoft,” says Sylvie Roux, a young retiree, not without an amused smile in her nobleman's tunic. “And I worked in textiles for part of my career,” continues Christophe Roux, wrapped in a warm cape. Conventional life. And medieval life.

“An association like this is full-time, and without a day off per week,” says Sylvie Roux, colored hair blowing in the wind. Every day, it receives dozens of emails from artisans or artists wishing to join one of the Celtic'Fest events. Troubadours and minstrels, your applications! And between the medieval breads, pottery, jewelry and other leather accessories, visitors have something to feast their eyes on.

“Our era is still much better than the Middle Ages! »

But how do you go from a glass office to drawbridges and sword fights? In Sylvie Roux's head, there must be sweet daydreams in the background of her thoughts and her daily life. Moreover, we quickly notice the organization engraved in the DNA of a mother of three grown children. “When I was little, I loved dressing up in long dresses, and then I became very interested in history, even if I'm not a great expert,” she confides modestly. Under my tunic and my jewelry, I have my normal outfit: at the end of the day, I simply take off my costume, and presto! » However, this time, she knows, is far from having been comfortable. “We cut off a hand for nothing, for example,” she said. Our time is still much better than the Middle Ages! »

The golden age of the arts?

“These barbaric centuries are fascinating today but because we revisit them,” continues Sylvie Roux. What I like about this period is the imagination it evokes, and the arts, tapestries, embroidery, dyes, and even cooking, without chemicals. » And added: “Not everyone among those close to me understands me. During an event like this, my living room is full of equipment, and that’s a lot of organization.” Fortunately for Sylvie Roux, Christophe participates wholeheartedly in the more technical aspects. And according to the broad smile he has on his face, he too has fallen into the cauldron of time travel!