Fête de la Cerise d'Irancy

Irancy, village of vines and cherry trees

The village of Irancy, nestled in a natural limestone amphitheater about ten kilometers south of Auxerre, is one of the most beautiful and unique in the Yonne. Its 251 hectares of vines classified under the Irancy AOC appellation have for centuries been alongside cherry orchards whose fruits color the hillsides in shades of carmine red every spring. It is this dual agricultural vocation and this natural marriage between cherry and wine that are celebrated every summer during the Fête de la Cerise d'Irancy.

Cherry and wine: an intimate alliance

The link between cherry and Irancy wine is not just geographical. Wine lovers know it: Irancy AOC, made from pinot noir vinified in red, offers aromas of Morello cherry, redcurrant, and small red fruits that are its taste signature. Some winemakers even add up to 10% of césar, an ancestral grape variety unique to the commune, which brings powerful tannins and a particular structure to the blends.

At the Fête de la Cerise, this natural connection is fully expressed: stands of fresh cherries from local producers are located next to the tasting tables of Irancy winemakers. Visitors can thus explore this harmony by tasting the fruits of the earth and the local wines, on the same day and under the same Burgundy sun.

A festive market in the heart of the village

The Fête de la Cerise d'Irancy takes place on the village square and in the narrow streets of this classified wine-growing town. On the program:

• Fresh cherry stands: local producers offering their harvests of Bigarreau, Burlat, Reverchon and other varieties
• Cherry products: artisanal jams, clafoutis, liqueurs, and syrups
• Irancy AOC wine tastings: several estates present with their recent vintages and older ones
• Local producers' market: cheeses, cured meats, honey, and other products from the Yonne region
• Local crafts and creations

Traditional entertainment and village conviviality

The cherry festival is above all a village festival in the Burgundy tradition. The Fête d'Irancy Committee enlivens the day with games, demonstrations, and moments of conviviality shared between villagers and visitors. Vineyard and cellar tours are offered by local winemakers, who passionately share their craft and their wines.

The special atmosphere of Irancy — its terraced vineyards and cherry trees, its limestone stone houses, its shaded alleys, and its plunging views over the Yonne valley — makes this festival a timeless moment, far from the hustle and bustle of major tourist events.

A village to discover

Irancy deserves a visit that goes beyond just the festival. The village retains a 12th-century church, beautiful pale stone winegrowers' houses, and a network of cellars dug into the limestone. The vineyard trails that crisscross the hillside offer remarkable panoramas of the vineyards and the Yonne plain. A few kilometers away, the villages of Cravant and Vincelottes extend the walk through this land of vines and rivers that is the Auxerrois region.