Festival de l'Écrevisse

Crayfish in the spotlight in Berry

The Festival de l'Écrevisse in Aigurande is one of the most emblematic festivals in the south of the Indre department. Every year, on the last weekend of August, this small town located on the border of Berry and Marche pays homage to one of the most prized crustaceans in French gastronomy: the crayfish. This festive tradition perpetuates the legacy of the Gastronomic Brotherhood of the Berry Marche Masters of Crayfish, now defunct, which had made crayfish a culinary symbol of the region.

Three days of gourmet and popular festivities

The festivities begin on Friday morning with the opening of a large trade fair that animates the streets of Aigurande. On Saturday, the funfair takes over and continues until Sunday evening. The highlight of Saturday is the grand musical fireworks display fired over the communal pond, followed by a popular ball that brings together all generations. A large sale of live crayfish is organized before and during the festivities, while local restaurateurs and caterers offer crayfish tastings prepared according to traditional Berry recipes.

The Crowning of the Rosière, a centuries-old tradition

Sunday is the highlight of the festival with the crowning of the Rosière, a tradition dating back to a municipal council decision in 1895. This ceremony honors a young girl from the town, aged 17 to 18, accompanied by two maids of honor. The crowning is followed by a folkloric show organized in the shade of the trees in the Place de la Promenade, showcasing the traditional dances and music of Berry and Marche.

A living heritage of Berry-Marche

The Festival de l'Écrevisse in Aigurande embodies the identity of a rural territory at the crossroads of two former French provinces. It testifies to the attachment of the inhabitants to their gastronomic and folkloric traditions, while offering a moment of conviviality and sharing open to all. The fair, the rides, the tastings, and the shows make it a family and popular festival that attracts visitors from far beyond the borders of the Indre department each year.