Festival of Pumpkin and Autumn

Twenty Years of Celebration Around the Pumpkin

For over twenty years, the Château du Rivau in Léméré has celebrated autumn and cucurbits during a festive and gourmet weekend. The Festival of Pumpkin and Autumn has become a must-attend event in Touraine du Sud, attracting families to the domain's fourteen fairy-tale gardens in the flamboyant colors of autumn.

The Potager de Gargantua, Heart of the Festival

The Potager de Gargantua, located at the foot of the medieval fortress, is the beating heart of the event. This exceptional collection brings together 43 varieties of squash—pumpkins, potimarrons, butternut, pattypan, ornamental gourds, and cucurbits—alongside forgotten varieties of vegetables that bear witness to the richness of garden heritage. The extraordinary shapes and colors of the squashes create a striking visual spectacle.

Fairy-tale Shows and Activities

The Festival of Pumpkin is a resolutely family and festive event. Jugglers and acrobats perform among the fabulous pumpkins of the vegetable garden, creating an enchanting live show. Storytellers share legends and autumn tales, while face painters transform children into fantastic characters. Creative workshops allow young and old to sculpt pumpkins, create autumn decorations, and learn about gardening.

A Gourmet and Artisanal Market

The gourmet market showcases local producers and artisans from Touraine. Pumpkin soups, squash jams, autumn pastries, honeys, goat cheeses, and Chinon wines are offered in a friendly atmosphere. Artisans present their creations inspired by autumn and nature: pottery, basketry, wooden objects, and textiles.

A Medieval and Fairy-tale Setting

The Château du Rivau, a 15th-century medieval fortress classified as a Historic Monument, offers an exceptional setting for celebrating autumn. The fourteen fairy-tale gardens, labeled "Jardin remarquable" (Remarkable Garden), take on flamboyant shades of red, gold, and orange in October. The Enchanted Forest, the Little Thumb's Garden, and contemporary art installations scattered throughout the gardens add a dreamlike dimension to the visit.