Les Sept Épées

Based in Mons, Les Sept Épées is a club of European Historical Martial Arts, more commonly known as AMHE. This discipline puts into practice the combat techniques developed in Europe over the centuries, drawing on treatises, manuscripts and other historical sources. At the crossroads of sport, martial discipline, research and heritage, AMHE thus allow the rediscovery of long-forgotten skills while adapting them to a contemporary, safe practice.

Members of Les Sept Épées practice, in particular, the medieval longsword and the sabre. Training sessions combine technical learning, mastery of footwork, distance management and application during supervised sparring. To enable a realistic sporting practice without neglecting safety, the club uses adapted training simulators as well as modern protective equipment. Its members also take part in events and tournaments, in Belgium as well as abroad, while exploring other disciplines such as singlestick or the messer.

But AMHE are not limited to weapon handling. Les Sept Épées also place great importance on studying the context in which these techniques were developed and on passing them on to the public. Demonstrations, introductory sessions and presentations help to better understand the reality of historical combat, far from the images conveyed by cinema or fiction. The club thus brings experimentation, historical culture and sporting practice into dialogue.

On the occasion of the Estivales 2026, Les Sept Épées will invite visitors under 18 to discover the first moves of the longsword. Armed with foam weapons and accompanied by club members, young participants will be able to try this discipline in complete safety. A fun and accessible initiation to discover the martial arts of the past differently and, perhaps, to inspire new vocations.