Fete de la Cagouille

The "cagouille," the snail of the Charente region

In the Charente region, the petit-gris snail is affectionately called the "cagouille." For decades, the town of Saint-Claud, located in the northeast of the department in Charente Limousine, has dedicated a festival to this local delicacy, thanks to the initiative of the Sports et Loisirs association.

A day centered around the snail feast

The festival takes place over one day during the last weekend of September. The highlight is the snail meal, which requires advance booking, though a fast-food option is also available. The 10:30 AM mass is followed by the distribution of blessed "cagouillard" brioches. Visitors can enjoy a ride on the miniature train, browse artisan stalls in the park and under marquees, and listen to live music. A refreshment bar and a raffle are also part of the festivities. In 2024, the music was provided by the Music Passion orchestra; in 2025, the mass was led by Father Appolinaire, and a Gipsy duo provided the day's entertainment.

The association steps down

The December 2025 Saint-Claud municipal bulletin featured a report from the Sports et Loisirs association. Its president, Bernard Cussaguet, wrote that while the association "continues all its workshops, it is withdrawing (due to age) from public events: the Frairie, the Négret, and the Cagouille," and he called for a new team to "take up the torch." The three events the association is keeping for 2026 are the Fête 1900 on May 1st and 2nd, the semi-nocturnal dinner hike on May 30th, and the Nuit des Étoiles on August 7th and 8th. As of mid-August 2026, no one has taken over the Fête de la Cagouille.