Festival of the Harvest and Old Crafts
Reconstitution of the old-time harvest in Beaulieu-sur-Oudon
About Harvest Festival
The Festival of the Harvest and Old Crafts in Beaulieu-sur-Oudon is a heritage festival created in 1976 that reconstitutes, every first Sunday in August, the land work and wheat harvesting as they were practiced at the beginning of the 20th century. On a shaded site, over 300 volunteers bring to life the gestures of yesteryear with period tools: scythe, reaper, horse-drawn treadmill thresher. Demonstrations of old crafts and musical entertainment complete this day which attracts thousands of visitors.
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The Harvest Festival: A Journey into the Rural World of Yesteryear
Since 1976, the small village of Beaulieu-sur-Oudon, with its 480 inhabitants, has organized every first Sunday in August an exceptional heritage festival that brings to life the gestures and know-how of the agricultural world of the early 20th century. Over the decades, the Festival of the Harvest and Old Crafts has become an unmissable event for lovers of rural heritage and agricultural traditions.
Reconstitution of the Harvest
The heart of the festival is the life-size reconstitution of the harvest of yesteryear. On a shaded site, the public witnesses numerous demonstrations with period tools and machines:
- Scythe and reaper pulled by horses
- Treadmill thresher operated by two horses
- 'La Bretonne', a thresher with a five-horse treadmill
- 'La Vierzon', a steam traction engine with its boiler
- Old-fashioned plowing with horse-drawn teams
Over 300 Volunteers Mobilized
The festival mobilizes over 300 volunteers from Beaulieu-sur-Oudon and neighboring towns, who invest themselves throughout the year to prepare the machines, maintain the teams, and organize the demonstrations. This collective commitment is the pride of the village and the foundation of the event's success for nearly five decades.
Old Crafts Come Back to Life
Beyond the harvest, the festival brings back to life numerous old crafts thanks to artisans and enthusiasts who practice before the eyes of the public:
- Traditional bakery with wood-fired bread baking
- Butter churning and making of 'rillauds' and 'rillettes'
- Washerwomen washing clothes as they did in the past
- Blacksmithing, basket weaving, weaving, and other artisanal crafts
Entertainment and Shows
The day is punctuated by various activities:
- Old-fashioned dictation in the school of yesteryear
- Manual carousel for children and wooden games
- Musical entertainment and singing groups
- Exhibition of vintage cars and period agricultural equipment
- Carriage rides and a mini-farm for children
A Living Heritage Since 1976
In nearly fifty years, the Harvest Festival has made Beaulieu-sur-Oudon a renowned village far beyond the borders of Mayenne. This festival allows for the transmission of forgotten heritage to younger generations and keeps alive the memory of a bygone era when the work of the land punctuated rural life.
Harvest Festival — edition 2026
The 49th edition of the Festival of the Harvest and Old Crafts is scheduled for the first Sunday of August 2026 in Beaulieu-sur-Oudon.
2026 Edition — See you on the first Sunday of August
The 49th edition of the Harvest Festival is expected on Sunday, August 2, 2026, in Beaulieu-sur-Oudon. The traditional program will be repeated with harvest demonstrations, old crafts, and tastings of local products.
Prices Harvest Festival 2026
Practical information — Harvest Festival
Practical Information
Location
The festival takes place on a shaded site in Beaulieu-sur-Oudon (53320), in the Mayenne department. The area is set up to comfortably accommodate several thousand visitors, with demonstration areas, a catering space, and exhibition stands.
Access
By car: Beaulieu-sur-Oudon is located about 25 km south of Laval, accessible via the D152. From Château-Gontier, allow about 15 minutes via the D22. Signposted parking at the entrance of the village with guidance from volunteers. Parking is free.
From Laval: Take the direction of Château-Gontier via the D22 or N162, then follow the signs for Beaulieu-sur-Oudon.
Date
Every first Sunday in August. Activities begin in the late morning with a mass for the harvesters and continue throughout the afternoon. Harvest demonstrations usually take place between 2 PM and 5 PM.
Prices
Paid admission at a modest price (a few euros). Free for young children. The entrance ticket gives access to all demonstrations, exhibitions, and activities of the day. Food and tastings are extra.
Catering
One of the highlights of the festival is tasting products prepared on-site by volunteers using traditional methods:
- Wood-fired bread baked in the reconstructed bread oven
- Butter churned in front of the public
- 'Rillauds' and hot 'rillettes', specialties of the Mayenne region
- Fresh cider and local apple juice
Food stalls also offer full meals for lunch.
Accessibility
The site is largely accessible to people with reduced mobility. The paths between the different demonstration areas are navigable, although some sections may be grass or dirt. Wear comfortable shoes.
Contact
Comité des fêtes de Beaulieu-sur-Oudon
53320 Beaulieu-sur-Oudon
Website: beaulieu-sur-oudon.fr
Blog: moissonbeaulieu53.wordpress.com
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Travel to this festival
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Where does it take place — Harvest Festival
Site de la Moisson, Beaulieu-sur-Oudon
Beaulieu-sur-Oudon, 53320 Beaulieu-sur-Oudon