In Provins, an aerial ballet of birds of prey brings the Middle Ages back to life.

Within the fortified walls of Provins, a UNESCO World Heritage city, the show "Eagles of the Ramparts" offers an immersion into the ancient art of equestrian falconry from the end of March until November 1st. Produced for the past twenty-five years by the company Vol Libre under the artistic direction of Philippe Hertel, this 45-minute show features 90 birds of prey from twenty different species.

A mural depicting the history of falconry

The show traces the journey of this ancient art from the steppes of Central Asia, through the Near East, to the courts of European feudal lords, where mastery of birds of prey was both a symbol of social prestige and a refined technical skill. Audiences will discover the majesty of eagles, the agility of buzzards and kites, the speed of falcons, the elegance of secretary birds, as well as the silent flight of owls, soaring freely above the ramparts.

Horses and birds of prey move side by side in this aerial ballet, falconry itself being listed since 2010 as part of UNESCO's intangible cultural heritage as a living practice shared by many countries around the world.

A tradition that is not immune to criticism

Last year, the show was the subject of a protest by animal rights activists demanding its cancellation, but their demands were unsuccessful. Vol Libre, for its part, maintains that its aim is to transmit and preserve ancestral skills rather than simply being a tourist attraction.

The Théâtre des Remparts, the historic setting for the show, hosts performances according to varying schedules depending on the seasons, weekends and school holidays, with increased performances during the Medieval Festival of Provins, which attracts more than 100,000 visitors to the city each year.