Have you ever wondered what a workout might have looked like in the Middle Ages? If we are familiar with the ancient Olympic Games and their modern versions, few of us can imagine valiant warriors fond of running or young peasants fond of ball games... But what was it like? Really ? The Hôtel Départemental des Expositions du Var offers us all a catch-up course on sporting practices in ancient and medieval society through the selection of more than 160 priceless objects. Between the precious armor, sculptures, bas-reliefs, vases, manuscripts and oil lamps, this thrilling exhibition, imagined as a thrilling journey through the centuries, reveals the entire history of sport until the Renaissance, from the sources of from the Olympics to the knights' tournaments, including the challenges won by Ulysses and the Roman circus games. An original journey punctuated by unsuspected treasures such as this perfect copy of the famous discobolus of Myron, this tiny Etruscan statuette of barely 12 cm or this tasty cartel of challenge addressed by the King of England Edward III to his rival Philippe VI of Valois whose the stake would have been the kingdom of France! And to think that the fate of our beautiful country could thus have been sealed during a muscular joust between two monarchs...

VAR DEPARTMENTAL EXHIBITION HOTEL
Until March 24, 2024
1 boulevard Maréchal Foch, 83 300 Draguignan