Asperges en Fête

Asperges en Fête: The Great Celebration of Landes Spring

Asperges en Fête is the flagship gastronomic event of spring in the Landes. Created at the initiative of restaurateurs from Mont-de-Marsan, this event honors the Landes sand asparagus, an exceptional product recognized by a Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) since 2005 and awarded the Label Rouge in 2024.

An Exceptional Terroir

Landes sand asparagus is cultivated on 850 hectares of sandy soil, with an annual production of over 4,000 tons. This unique terroir, composed of fine and deep sands, gives the Landes asparagus a tender texture, a delicate flavor, and an almost non-existent bitterness that makes it one of the most renowned in France. White, purple, or green, it can be used in all recipes, from the simplest to the most gourmet.

Ten Days of Gourmet Festivities

For ten days in March, over 30 partner restaurants throughout the department offer creative and gourmet menus celebrating Landes asparagus. Each chef creates a unique menu highlighting the diversity and richness of this exceptional vegetable: large white asparagus stuffed with crab at Jean Coussau's in Magescq, wild asparagus with peas and burrata by Hélène Darroze, and many other original creations.

The Awakening of the Taste Buds at the Saint-Roch Market

The event kicks off with the Réveil des Papilles (Awakening of the Taste Buds) at the Saint-Roch market in Mont-de-Marsan. This festive Saturday morning brings together asparagus producers and local Landes artisans for a gourmet market with direct sales of asparagus, culinary demonstrations by renowned chefs, tastings, and activities centered around the department's products.

Meeting the Producers

Asperges en Fête also offers farm visits and meetings with producers. Twenty-three farms, including the Ferme des Sables Blancs and the Priméale cooperative, open their doors to showcase their expertise, from planting to harvesting, and offer direct sales of their asparagus at unbeatable prices.