Carcassonne Game Festival 2025: Immerse Yourself In A Medieval Weekend (and 100% Fun)
You dreamed of placing your pieces in the real City of Carcassonne? On September 13 and 14, 2025, the cult game comes out of the box to invade the ramparts... and promises you two days of XXL adventure.
Carcassonne: When the Legend of the Game Meets Stone
More than just a backdrop, the UNESCO-listed Medieval City becomes a life-sized set. Since 2022, the Tourist Office, the National Monuments Center, and the German publisher Hans im Glück have orchestrated a unique event where tiles, towers, and actual battlements merge. The result: 30,000 visitors expected this year, coming from Germany, Spain, or the United States to experience the game... where it all (almost) began.
The board game market: a galloping knight
Behind the event lies a phenomenon. In 2024, more than one game was sold every second in France – that's 34 million boxes. The sector surpassed one billion euros in turnover, driven by double-digit growth for five years. Carcassonne, with its 7 million boxes and 6 million expansions, is a heavy hitter. Its success is based on simple rules, a strong strategic dimension... and a little character: the meeple, now a pop icon.
From the Narbonnaise Gate: a giant plateau that sets the tone.
Cross the drawbridge and voila! You land on an oversized tile. Wooden meeples a meter tall, winding paths chalked out in the courtyard, victory points displayed right on the ramparts: it's irresistible. Animators with capes over their shoulders explain (or re-explain) the rules to you. Perfect for introducing grandpa, little cousin, or the neighbor who swears by Monopoly.
Ten new extensions previewed
Fans are in for a treat. Ten brand-new modules will be unveiled before their global release. In the moats, a weaver recounts the saga of wool, while a shepherd watches over sheep and tokens. Not far away, the enigmatic Tower of Tréseau transforms into a magical workshop: tile painting, mini calligraphy, and secrets from the guardian fairy to enhance your future home games.
Meeple House: the first Carcassonne escape game
Big news for 2025, the Maison du Meeple is opening its doors in the medieval camp. Two scenarios to choose from:
- "Forgotten Farm" course (from age 8): a treasure to be saved, humans and meeples hand in hand.
- "Medieval Market" course (expert level): challenging puzzles, trading clues, a race against time under the reconstructed market halls.
Family Entertainment: Laughter, Swordplay, and Pawn-shaped Cookies
The festival embraces the concept of playful slow tourism: giant Jenga in the moats, candy catapult for budding besiegers, introduction to medieval fencing under the watchful eye of a master-at-arms. At the Tavern, a scribe monk teaches you the art of quill writing while a whimsical innkeeper keeps aprons spinning: shortcrust pastry, meeple-shaped cookie cutters, and the scent of cinnamon... it's hard to leave empty-handed.
French Championship: 64 Strategists and a Ticket to Essen
Highlight of the weekend, the French Carcassonne Championship (organized by Asmodee) takes place at the Halles de la Bastide Saint-Louis. Sixty-four players, qualified during regional tournaments, will compete in timed matches. The winner will take home €100 worth of games and, more importantly, secure a spot for the world final in Essen, the European mecca of board gaming. Spectators can watch the matches for free: expect a silent atmosphere, sweat on brows, and restrained applause at the end of each round.
Carcassonne: A Tourist and Fun Destination
With 2 million visitors a year, the city didn't really need any additional spotlight. Yet, the event reinforces its ambition: to become a destination in its own right in the hearts of the French. Between matches, one can stroll along the Canal du Midi, picnic at Lake Cavayère, or head to the Festival de la Cité (theater, music, pyrotechnics). The mix of heritage + leisure boosts off-season overnight stays, a major challenge for local accommodation providers.
Practical Information: How to Prepare for Your Weekend
Dates: September 13 & 14, 2025.
Hours: 10 am - 7 pm (Saturday) / 10 am - 6 pm (Sunday).
Prices: Free access to outdoor activities; "Maison du Meeple" pass starting at €12 (booking recommended).
Access: SNCF train station 10 minutes away, Sud de France Carcassonne airport 15 minutes away, P3 parking with shuttle service.
Tip: Book your accommodation early; in 2024, 85% of the intra-muros rooms were full one month before the event.
N.B. (Nota Bene)
A meeple? A contraction of "my people," this stylized wooden token has become the symbol of modern board games. The Jenga ("to build" in Swahili) involves removing blocks from a tower without causing it to fall. Lastly, an escape game is a life-sized escape game where you solve puzzles within a set time limit.
