Festival du Vinaigre d'Orléans

The Festival du Vinaigre d'Orléans: A Living Gastronomic Heritage

Since the Middle Ages, Orléans has been the French capital of vinegar. As early as 1415, municipal archives mention this unique production, born from the transformation of wines altered by transport on the Loire River. In 1594, the aldermen of Orléans drafted a code of 18 articles to protect the quality of Orléans vinegar. At its peak in the 19th century, the city had up to 300 vinegar makers and accounted for 80% of the national production of wine vinegar.

Today, the Martin Pouret house, founded in 1797, is the last vinegar factory to perpetuate the Orléans method: a natural surface fermentation in oak barrels, without stirring or adding ferments, followed by aging for at least a year in a cellar at 15°C. This artisanal process gives the vinegars an exceptional aromatic richness, recognized by the greatest chefs.

A Festival Born of Passion

In 2023, the association Les Amis du vinaigre d'Orléans, led by Paul-Olivier Claudepierre, master vinegar maker at the Martin Pouret house, created the Festival du Vinaigre d'Orléans. The ambition is clear: to put Orléans back on the map of French gastronomy and to promote the rich terroir of the Centre-Val de Loire region. The festival is one of the 22 laureates selected by Atout France out of 130 applications to promote French gastronomic excellence.

The Campo Santo, Setting for the Festival

The festival takes place outdoors at the Campo Santo, a former medieval cemetery classified as a historic monument, located in the heart of Orléans, a stone's throw from Sainte-Croix Cathedral. This historic site offers a majestic and convivial setting for the festivities.

A Rich and Gourmet Program

Each edition offers a diverse program combining gastronomy, culture, and conviviality:

• Regional Producers' Market: Products from the Centre-Val de Loire region — Orléans quince paste, mustard, macarons, cheeses, cured meats, and of course, Orléans vinegars
• Culinary Masterclasses by the Disciples d'Escoffier: Demonstrations and tastings focused on Loire Valley gastronomy
• Signature Vinegar Creation: Renowned chefs — including Pierre Gagnaire, Christophe Hay, Sébastien Vauxion, Loïs Bée, and Marie-Victorine Manoa — create custom vinegars aged for one year in oak barrels
• Regional Final of the World Egg Mayonnaise Championship organized by ASOM: A popular and festive competition highlighting regional gastronomy
• Concerts and Musical Evenings in partnership with Cocorico Electro and Vibration: The Grand Bal du Vinaigre, electro evenings, and free concerts
• Gourmet Food Trucks and outdoor dining
• Gala Dinner served by students from the Orléans hotel school, with an auction of the previous year's vinegars for charitable causes

A Popular and Unifying Event

Open to all, the Festival du Vinaigre d'Orléans is an unmissable event at the start of the Orléans summer. Families, gourmets, the curious, and heritage enthusiasts gather to celebrate a humble but essential product of French gastronomy, in a warm and festive atmosphere in the heart of the 'Jeanne d'Arc' city.