Festival of Bread and Bourriol

Bourriol: A Culinary Tradition of Haute-Auvergne

Bourriol is a culinary specialty originating from Haute-Auvergne (Cantal) and Rouergue (Aveyron). It is a thick crepe made from buckwheat flour (black wheat) mixed in equal proportions with wheat flour, fresh baker's yeast, milk, and water. What distinguishes bourriol from a classic crepe is notably the use of whey (lactoserum) as an ingredient, as well as its greater thickness. Traditionally, bourriol was the staple food for agricultural workers, consumed like bread, accompanied by cured meats, cheese, or jam.

This rustic and nourishing dish testifies to the importance of buckwheat cultivation in the mountains of Cantal, where this cold-resistant and soil-undemanding pseudo-cereal was widely grown. Today, bourriol has become a symbol of the gastronomic heritage of Cantal, celebrated at local festivals and producers' markets.

The Festival of Bread and Bourriol in Jussac

Every year, on the second weekend of October, the commune of Jussac, located a few kilometers south of Aurillac in the Authre valley, organizes its Festival of Bread and Bourriol. This festive and friendly event brings together residents and visitors to celebrate two emblematic products of the Cantal region: artisanal bread baked in a wood-fired oven and traditional bourriol.

During this day, visitors can witness bourriol making demonstrations on a griddle by local artisans who perpetuate ancestral gestures. The baking of wood-fired bread is another highlight, allowing visitors to rediscover the authentic flavors of bread from yesteryear. A producers' market offers the best products from the Cantal region: cheeses, cured meats, honey, jams, and other local specialties.

Activities and conviviality

The festival is also an opportunity to share a moment of conviviality with musical entertainment, children's games, and a rustic meal where bourriol is the star in all its forms: topped with Cantal AOP, local ham, blueberry jam, or simply plain with butter. The event helps keep alive a culinary tradition that was at risk of being lost and passes it on to new generations.

Jussac, in the heart of Cantal

Located in the Authre valley, at the gateway to the Châtaigneraie cantalienne, Jussac is a dynamic commune of nearly 2,000 inhabitants, just 8 km from Aurillac. The village offers a pleasant setting for this autumn festival, with its shops, weekly market, and rural heritage. The Festival of Bread and Bourriol is part of the rich tradition of Cantal regional festivals that punctuate the autumn calendar, the season of harvests and reunions.