Laguépie Chestnut Fair

Laguépie, the village of chestnut trees

Perched at the confluence of the Aveyron and the Viaur, in the heart of the green Quercy, the village of Laguépie is surrounded by forests and chestnut groves that have marked the landscape for centuries. The chestnut was long the staple food of the rural populations of this region, and the Laguépie Marron — as it was called in the 19th century — was marketed at all the fairs in the region, even at the markets of Bordeaux and Paris.

Today, the Laguépie Chestnut Fair perpetuates this age-old tradition. Every last Sunday of October, thousands of visitors flock to the Place du Foirail to celebrate the fruit of autumn, meet local producers, and share a moment of popular conviviality in this timeless village.

More than twenty years of tradition

The fair was born in the 2000s from the desire of local residents and associations to reconnect with the tradition of chestnut fairs that once animated all of Quercy in the autumn. For over twenty years, it has brought together a growing crowd of lovers of local products, nature, and authentic rural traditions every late October. Its reputation has largely spread beyond the borders of Tarn-et-Garonne and attracts visitors from neighboring Tarn, Aveyron, Lot, and Lot-et-Garonne.

Highlights of the fair

The Laguépie Chestnut Fair offers a generous and family-friendly program:

• Roasted chestnuts: more than a ton of chestnuts are roasted over large fires throughout the day, filling the square with their woody and sweet aroma and delighting visitors with a bite of autumnal bliss
• Fresh apple juice: producers press apples from their orchards on site to offer fresh, golden, and fruity apple juice, the ideal accompaniment to roasted chestnuts
• Chestnut flour crepes: prepared by artisans according to traditional Quercy recipes, they reveal the subtle woody and slightly sweet flavor of chestnut flour
• Local producers' market: fresh and dried chestnuts, chestnut flours, jams, honeys, cheeses, artisanal charcuterie, and products from the Quercy region are offered for direct sale by local producers
• Crafts and creators: wood sculptors, potters, basket weavers, jewelry designers, and art craftsmen exhibit their creations inspired by nature and local traditions
• Marked hikes: two marked hiking circuits — 7 km and 14 km — allow walkers to discover the chestnut groves, the banks of the Aveyron, and the exceptional landscape of the green Quercy
• Opening of the medieval castle: the Château de Saint-Martin-Laguépie, an imposing 12th-century medieval fortress, exceptionally opens its doors to visitors from 11 am to 6 pm for a dive into the region's history
• Vintage vehicle exhibitions: local collectors display their vintage cars and vehicles in the square, adding a nostalgic and picturesque touch to the day

The confluence of the Aveyron and Viaur: an exceptional site

The geographical location of Laguépie makes it a site of outstanding natural beauty. The village is built at the confluence of the Aveyron and the Viaur, in a landscape of deep valleys and oak and chestnut forests. The Château de Saint-Martin-Laguépie, perched on a rocky outcrop, is the sentinel of this intact medieval landscape. Its red sandstone houses, cobbled streets, and panoramic views of the Aveyron meanders make it a charming village that the fair invites you to discover at its best in autumn.