Kiwi Chateau     

Drive-Time (Via Michelin):
     Embry to Azincourt:   
          26 mins (14 miles)

Address:  Rue Charles VI, 62310 Azincourt

Web:       www.azincourt-medieval.fr

Opening Hours:
             10am 'til 5pm year-round
             10am 'til 6pm, November thru March
             Closed Tuesdays, November thru March
             Closed 22 Dec 2013 to 6 Jan 2014.

Azincourt (also Agincourt) is famous as being near the site of the battle fought on 25 October (St. Crispin's Day) 1415 in which the army led by King Henry V of England defeated the forces led by Charles d'Albret on behalf of Charles VI of France, which has gone down in English history as the Battle of Agincourt. The French knights were so encumbered by their armour that they were exhausted even before the start of the battle.

The battle, as was the tradition at the time, was named after a nearby castle called Azincourt. The castle has long since disappeared and the settlement now known as Azincourt adopted the name in the 17th Century.

The original battlefield museum in the village featured model knights made out of Action Man figures. However, this has now been replaced by a more professional exhibition space incorporating laser, video, slide shows, audio commentaries and some interactive elements. The museum building is shaped like a longbow similar to those used at the battle by archers under King Henry. (The French used cross-bows.)

A medieval festival commemorating local history has been held in the village every year since 2004, on a July weekend in the summer. Initially the festival was held in October (to coincide with the Battle date), but the inclement weather and local heavy clay soil (as experienced during the battle) made the festival difficult, so the date was changed.

Click here for more information on the Battle.

Photos by Geoff McIntosh

Memorial overlooking the battlefield