Festival des Saveurs

A gastronomic event at the foot of the Pyrenees

Since 2001, the Festival des Saveurs in Ax-les-Thermes has become the benchmark gourmet event in Ariège. Every year, on the second weekend of September, the small spa town nestled at an altitude of 720 meters, at the confluence of three Pyrenean rivers, transforms into a true capital of taste. The Parc du Casino hosts a large market of producers and artisans where more than 70 carefully selected exhibitors present the best of the Pyrenean terroir: mountain cheeses, artisanal charcuterie, high-altitude honeys, jams, foothill wines, craft beer, and many other delights.

Tastings, workshops, and meetings with producers

The Festival des Saveurs is not limited to a simple market. It offers an immersive experience in the world of Pyrenean flavors. Culinary workshops led by local chefs allow visitors to discover the preparation techniques of traditional Ariégeois dishes: azinat, mounjetado, apple croustade. Guided tastings highlight the exceptional products of the region: Bethmale cheese, Ariège sausage, Pyrenean fir honey. Producers, passionate about their craft, willingly share their know-how and the story of their products with curious visitors.

Concerts, shows, and entertainment for the whole family

Beyond gastronomy, the festival offers a rich and varied artistic and cultural program. Open-air concerts liven up the evenings, blending traditional Pyrenean music, variety, and world music. Street performances, children's entertainment, and citizen debates on sustainable food and local development complete the program. Admission is free, allowing everyone to enjoy the festive atmosphere that fills the streets and squares of the town for four days.

Ax-les-Thermes, a thermal and Pyrenean setting

The setting for the festival is worthy of the event. Ax-les-Thermes, a spa town renowned since Roman times for its sulfurous waters, offers an exceptional environment between mountains and forests. Visitors can combine discovering the festival with a visit to the Bains du Couloubret, a walk to the Bonascre plateau, or an excursion to the Ax-3 Domaines ski area. The proximity to the Andorran border and major natural sites such as the Gorges de la Frau or the Plateau de Beille makes Ax-les-Thermes an ideal starting point for discovering the riches of the Ariège Pyrenees.