Fête Bio de Vézelay

The eternal hill of Vézelay in rhythm with organic

Vézelay, a medieval town classified as a UNESCO World Heritage site, a major spiritual and pilgrimage site for Saint-Jacques-de-Compostelle, hosts a unique celebration every third Sunday of August: the Fête Bio. On Place Borot, in the heart of this "eternal hill" celebrated by Maurice Druon, dozens of producers and artisans committed to farming that respects nature and people present their harvests, their know-how, and their vision of a rural world in harmony with natural cycles.

Since the early 2000s, this event, supported by the GABY (Groupement des AgroBiologistes de l'Yonne) and the municipality of Vézelay, has become one of the flagship events for organic farming in Bourgogne-Franche-Comté. Each year, it attracts a loyal and curious public, seeking quality products as well as connection, exchange, and collective reflection on the challenges of sustainable food.

An exceptional organic market at the foot of the basilica

The heart of the Fête Bio de Vézelay is its producer market. The stalls are arranged in harmony with the Burgundy stone to offer visitors an extraordinary range of products from organic and biodynamic farming:

• Seasonal vegetables and fruits, grown without pesticides or chemical fertilizers by market gardeners from the Yonne region and neighboring departments;
• Raw milk cheeses, carefully aged by breeders whose herds graze on untreated pastures;
• Organic and natural wines, representing the winemaking revival of Burgundy, especially Vézelay wines — AOC Bourgogne Vézelay — from organically grown vines;
• Artisanal beers brewed with organic hops and cereals;
• Honeys and bee products: single-flower honeys, pollen, propolis, wax, and mead;
• Breads and pastries made from organic flours, natural leaven, and artisanal methods;
• Aromatic, medicinal, and perfume plants (PPAM), herbal teas, essential oils, and natural cosmetics;
• Artisanal crafts committed to an eco-responsible approach: wool creations, wood sculptures, pottery, jewelry.

Most of the producers present are certified Organic Agriculture (AB) or in conversion. Some practice biodynamics according to Rudolf Steiner's principles, while others are involved in permaculture or agroforestry. This market is a rare opportunity for direct dialogue between the consumer and the grower, breeder, and processor.

Activities to question and raise awareness

The Fête Bio de Vézelay is more than just a market; it's also a space for awareness and debate. Midday, musical entertainment livens up Place Borot, creating a festive and friendly popular atmosphere. Bands with diverse styles — folk, chanson, world music — give the event a festive dimension that appeals to all ages.

In the afternoon, a documentary screening titled "Organic for All in the Yonne" features testimonials and portraits of producers and processors committed to organic farming in the Yonne region. Hosted by ADENY (Association for the Development of New Economy in the Yonne) and Yonne Nature Environnement, this session opens a citizen debate on the challenges of agricultural and food transition. Local associations working for the environment, sustainable food, or solidarity also have information booths throughout the day.

GABY, a pillar of organic farming in the Yonne

The Fête Bio de Vézelay is the flagship public event of the GABY (Groupement des AgroBiologistes de l'Yonne), an association that brings together organic and converting farmers in the department. GABY's missions include developing organic farming through technical support, farmer training, representing producers to institutions, and promoting organic farming to the general public, municipalities, schools, and school canteens.

A member of the regional network BIO Bourgogne-Franche-Comté and the national federation FNAB, GABY has embodied for over two decades a vision of agriculture based on respect for soils, biodiversity, and ecological balance. The Fête Bio de Vézelay is both its showcase and its voice, a time when organic farmers leave their farms to meet citizens.

Vézelay, an exceptional setting for deep commitment

Organizing the Fête Bio on the hill of Vézelay places this fight for respectful agriculture in one of Burgundy's most striking landscapes. The upper town, with its cobbled streets, Romanesque houses, and the Basilica of Sainte-Marie-Madeleine overlooking the Cure and Cousin valleys, provides an incomparable backdrop for this meeting of tradition and modernity, between peasant roots and aspirations for a more sustainable world.

A visit to the Fête Bio is also an opportunity to (re)discover Vézelay and its riches: the site, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1979, the Vézelay vineyards and their exceptional Chardonnays, the hikes on the paths of Saint-Jacques, the museums and art galleries, and the picturesque villages of the nearby Morvan. A day at the organic market can easily extend into a weekend of discovery in the heart of deep Burgundy.

A festive, free, and open event for everyone

The Fête Bio de Vézelay is characterized by its accessibility and conviviality. Entry is completely free, and on-site catering — provided by producers and a collective organic kitchen — allows everyone to have a healthy lunch without leaving the site. Children find their joy among the colorful stalls, unusual tastings, and fun activities. Families, hikers on their way to Saint-Jacques, residents of the Yonne, and passing tourists mingle in a warm atmosphere that is the very essence of this event.

From 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM, Place Borot buzzes with organic life: direct sales, tastings, lively discussions, outdoor music, and shared commitment to healthy, local, and planet-friendly food. The Fête Bio de Vézelay is more than a market; it's a militant and joyful act, a declaration of love for the earth and those who bring it to life.