Cheese and Gastronomy Fair
AOP Cheese and Gastronomy Fair in Sainte-Maure-de-Touraine
About Sainte-Maure Cheese Fair
Cheese and Gastronomy Fair of Sainte-Maure-de-Touraine
The Cheese and Gastronomy Fair of Sainte-Maure-de-Touraine is one of the largest gastronomic events in Touraine. Every first weekend of June, the town welcomes between 15,000 and 20,000 visitors to celebrate the famous Sainte-Maure de Touraine goat cheese, a jewel of French cheese heritage.
The Sainte-Maure de Touraine AOP
Sainte-Maure de Touraine is a raw milk goat cheese, with a soft paste and a natural ash rind, recognizable by its log shape pierced by a rye straw. It has benefited from a Protected Designation of Origin (AOP) since 1996, guaranteeing its origin, its production according to traditional methods, and the quality of its aging. The fair is an opportunity to discover this emblematic cheese in all its forms and to meet the producers who perpetuate this ancestral know-how.
Cheese Competitions
The fair hosts three cheese competitions which are one of the highlights of the event: a young judges' competition on Saturday afternoon, accompanied by an educational tasting activity, as well as an interregional competition on Sunday morning. These competitions bring together producers from all over France and contribute to the influence of the goat sector.
Gourmet Market and Entertainment
The fair extends over the Place du Maréchal Leclerc and through the town's streets with a vast gourmet market offering cheeses from all over France, charcuterie, Touraine wines, honeys, jams, and many regional specialties. Folk and musical entertainment punctuate the weekend, while local craft exhibitions complete the offerings.
The Cheese Brotherhood
The Commanderie du Fromage de Sainte-Maure de Touraine plays a central role in the organization and animation of the fair. This gastronomic brotherhood, guardian of cheese traditions, participates in the inductions and ceremonies that mark the event. Each year, an invited region comes to present its specialties, adding a dimension of discovery to the fair. In 2025, Brittany was in the spotlight.
Sainte-Maure Cheese Fair — edition 2026
44th edition of the Cheese and Gastronomy Fair of Sainte-Maure-de-Touraine, on Saturday, June 6 and Sunday, June 7, 2026, at Place du Marechal Leclerc. Vendee is the guest of honour region, alongside Touraine products and Sainte-Maure de Touraine AOP.
44th Cheese and Gastronomy Fair — 2026 edition
The 44th edition of the Sainte-Maure-de-Touraine Cheese and Gastronomy Fair will be held on Saturday, June 6 and Sunday, June 7, 2026, at Place du Marechal Leclerc and in the city centre streets. Organised by the Comite de Promotion du Fromage, it is expected to attract 15,000 to 20,000 visitors over the weekend.
Vendee, guest of honour region
For 2026, Vendee is in the spotlight alongside Touraine producers. This is an opportunity to combine the flavours of Sainte-Maure de Touraine AOP with typical Vendee products (ham, brioche, mogettes, prefou, local cheeses, etc.).
The three cheese competitions
- Saturday afternoon: young jurors' competition, in partnership with five regional colleges trained in taste education, followed by an educational public tasting event around 5 PM.
- Sunday morning (from 9 AM): interregional competition open to all cheese products, especially AOP goat cheeses. The jury is composed of professionals recruited via the Federation Francaise des Fromagers.
- Golden Goat Trophy: flagship award that recognises the best AOP goat cheese in France.
Gourmet market and producers
Throughout the weekend, the city centre hosts a large producers' market: cheeses from all over France, cold cuts, Touraine wines, honeys, jams, regional specialities, and Vendee products in 2026. The Commanderie du Fromage de Sainte-Maure de Touraine enlivens the fair with its induction ceremonies.
Activities for the whole family
- Mini-farm with goats, pigs, chickens, pigeons, and other animals
- Exhibition of old tractors by ASMAMA
- Workshop on the making of Sainte-Maure de Touraine by the AOP
- Rides and fairground attractions
- Folkloric and musical entertainment
- Exhibitions of local crafts
- Dance evening
- On-site catering
Highlights Sainte-Maure Cheese Fair 2026
- 44th edition on June 6 and 7, 2026
- Vendee, guest of honour region 2026
- Interregional competition and Golden Goat Trophy
- Sainte-Maure de Touraine AOP cheese
- 15,000 to 20,000 visitors expected
- Gourmet market, mini-farm, folkloric entertainment
- Free entry all weekend
Prices Sainte-Maure Cheese Fair 2026
Practical information — Sainte-Maure Cheese Fair
Practical Information
Location
Place du Maréchal Leclerc, 37800 Sainte-Maure-de-Touraine.
Dates
First weekend of June (Saturday and Sunday).
Prices
Free admission.
Access
Sainte-Maure-de-Touraine is located 30 km south of Tours, on the Tours-Poitiers axis (A10 exit 25). Free parking.
Contact
Comité de Promotion du Fromage. Website: www.foireauxfromagesetdelagastronomie.fr
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Where does it take place — Sainte-Maure Cheese Fair
Place du Maréchal Leclerc
Place du Maréchal Leclerc, 37800 Sainte-Maure-de-Touraine