A roe deer bursts into a hunters’ festival and runs among them

Created in 1970, the Hunting Festival was historically held in Breil, at Lathan Castle, a few kilometres from the event’s current venue: the 25 hectares of the Domaine du Bois de Parnay in Vernoil-le-Fourrier, Maine-et-Loire.

The challenge for the 2026 edition of the Hunting Festival, held on Saturday, 15 August, in the heart of the Bois de Parnay estate, was to restore its former splendour after the cancellation of the event the previous year. It succeeded thanks to the commitment of all the participants, the varied programme of activities centred on hunting and dogs, and the support of those who came to the site, bringing attendance to 10,000 visitors.

At around 14:40, a roe deer suddenly appeared during the event, just before one of the participants in the hunting shows and demonstrations, together with his Brittany tracking dogs, was due to present his simulated hunting display. The animal ran through the area set aside for this type of demonstration, approaching the spectators who were waiting to see the dogs at work.