From 18 to 20 September 2026, the Vernaelde Farm in Coudekerque-Branche will host the Multi-Era & Multiverse Camp. Organised to coincide with European Heritage Days, this event will bring together more than 500 re-enactors to showcase nine major historical periods, from Greco-Roman antiquity to the Second World War.
Over three days, Coudekerque-Branche, a member of the Destination Napoléon network, will offer a journey through history, combining historical re-enactments, tours of the encampments, battle demonstrations, musical performances and family activities.
An initiative recognised by Destination Napoléon
The Multi-Era & Multiverse Camp was awarded the Destination Napoléon 2026 International Award in the «Cultural Tourism and Sustainable Cultural Development» category. This award was presented to the Town of Coudekerque-Branche at the General Assembly of the European Federation of Napoleonic Cities, held in June 2026 in Herceg Novi, Montenegro.
In particular, the jury praised the event’s impact on the local area and its ability to combine historical re-enactment, cultural outreach, educational activities for school groups, tourist appeal and community involvement. The presence of a large Napoleonic encampment also helps to introduce the history of the First Empire to a particularly wide audience.
This international recognition highlights the quality of an event that has become a key fixture in the cultural and heritage calendar of Coudekerque-Branche.
Nine eras brought together at Vernaelde Farm
The numerous encampments set up on the site will take visitors on a journey through nearly two millennia of history. Roman troops, medieval knights, privateers from the Ancien Régime, soldiers of the First and Second Empires, and combatants from both World Wars: each area will showcase the uniforms, equipment and everyday life characteristic of its era.
Visitors will be able to walk around the camps, chat with the re-enactors and watch various demonstrations. Around fifty Second World War military vehicles will also be on display.
Friday 18 September will be mainly devoted to welcoming nearly 3,000 primary and secondary school pupils. This educational day will enable them to discover history in a practical and lively way, through direct contact with historical re-enactment groups.
The First Empire at the heart of the demonstrations
The Napoleonic period will feature prominently at the camp. Several re-enactment societies and units will be present, including the Vandamme Brigade, the 9th Light Infantry, Rona 1815, the 51st Light Infantry, the 48th Infantry Regiment, the 4th Line Regiment and the 18th Artillery Company.
Two demonstrations of Napoleonic battles will be put on for the public on Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 September at 3 pm. They will take place alongside exhibitions dedicated to the Second World War and will provide a better understanding of the tactics, equipment and organisation of troops on the battlefield.
The official opening of the Multi-Era & Multiverse Camp will take place on Saturday 19 September at midday.
Activities for the whole family
As well as the military re-enactment, there will be plenty of entertainment throughout the weekend. A medieval market featuring 35 stalls will welcome visitors, whilst the fantasy worlds will be represented by wizards, shamans and various characters from the Multiverse.
Visitors will also be able to try out an obstacle course organised by the GPBL Airsoft association, view an exhibition on bunkers, visit a photography stand, and explore an area run by the National Institute for Preventive Archaeological Research dedicated to archaeological finds from the coast.
On Saturday, the Morning Sisters will be performing at 2.00 pm at the Yvon Duval residence, followed by a performance at 6.30 pm in the courtyard of Ferme Vernaelde. Guided tours of the town on a miniature train will also be organised at 3.00 pm and 4.00 pm.
On Sunday, there will be a musical performance at 11.30 am at the Paul-Schrive community centre. The campsites, camp life and the various demonstrations will remain open from 10 am to 6 pm.
Combining heritage, remembrance, education and live performance, the Multi-Era & Multiverse Camp will offer an experience accessible to all generations and an original way to explore the major periods of history.
Practical information
Dates Friday 18, Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 September 2026
Location: Vernaelde Farm, Coudekerque-Branche
Visitor reception: Saturday and Sunday, from 10 am to 6 pm
Official opening: Saturday 19 September at midday
Napoleonic battle re-enactments: Saturdays and Sundays at 3 pm
Morning Sisters concert: Saturday at 6.30 pm in the farmyard