Armour polished, helmets tightened, and wooden staves in hand, the Grimaldi Milites are training hard for one of the most unusual sporting events on the calendar: the French Cup of Béhourd…
Béhourd is a full-contact medieval combat sport where five warriors face five, with the objective of throwing opponents to the ground in two winning rounds. Unlike martial arts with strict weight or size categories, Béhourd pits fighters of all builds against each other, with almost all strikes, grappling moves, and combined attacks allowed. The only limits are the obvious ones, no illegal blows, but otherwise, victory demands strength, stamina, and sharp tactics.
To protect their historically accurate armour during training, the Monegasque team uses wooden sticks. But in competition, they wield replicas of medieval weapons that are checked carefully before every fight to ensure they are safe for use, though they still pack a punishing impact. Armour, weighing between 20 and 30 kilograms, makes endurance just as critical as raw strength. After ten minutes of close combat under steel, fatigue sets in, and tactical awareness becomes decisive. Fighters must remain constantly alert, never turning their backs, as multiple opponents can strike at once. Small mistakes, like falling with the rival you are trying to bring down, can quickly shift the outcome.
The Grimaldi Milites, Monaco’s own medieval combat association, will carry their red-and-white colours into the French Cup of Béhourd on 13–14 September in Gabarnac, Nouvelle-Aquitaine. With their mix of passion, precision, and ferocity, they are ready to test themselves against France’s toughest warriors, offering spectators a dramatic and authentic throwback to the Middle Ages.
Photo by Marek Studzinski
