Fête de la Châtaigne de Milly-la-Forêt

The Fête de la Châtaigne de Milly-la-Forêt

Nestled in the heart of the École valley, on the edge of the Fontainebleau forest, Milly-la-Forêt is a town in the Essonne region whose reputation has been built for centuries on its plant-based riches. A town of aromatic and medicinal plants, it is also home to magnificent chestnut trees whose fruits are celebrated each autumn as they should be.

The Chestnut, Treasure of the Essonne Forest

The forests surrounding Milly-la-Forêt are full of centuries-old chestnut trees. The chestnut, long nicknamed the "poor man's bread," fed generations of rural families. Rich in carbohydrates and fiber, this autumn fruit is now valued for its nutritional qualities and its incomparable taste.

The Fontainebleau forest, a UNESCO World Heritage site, extends just a few kilometers away and offers an exceptional natural setting for chestnut foraging. The chestnut trees, often several centuries old, produce fruits of remarkable quality, appreciated by gourmets and families.

A Popular and Family Festival

The Fête de la Châtaigne de Milly-la-Forêt is held every year in October, at the height of the harvest season. It brings together locals and visitors for a variety of activities:

• Guided foraging in the forest's chestnut trees with naturalists and foresters
• Grilled chestnuts cooked over embers prepared live by local producers
• Cooking workshops featuring chestnuts: soup, jam, chestnut flour, chestnut cream
• Producers' market with honey, jams, ciders, cheeses, and local products from the Essonne region
• Children's activities: traditional games, discovery of forest fauna and flora
• Exhibitions on forest biodiversity and the region's chestnut trees

Milly-la-Forêt, Town of Plants

Milly-la-Forêt is inseparable from its plant heritage. It hosts the National Conservatory of Aromatic, Medicinal, Industrial, and Perfume Plants (CNPMAI), which lists over 1,500 plant species over 4 hectares. The town was also the adopted home of the poet Jean Cocteau, who decorated the Saint-Blaise-des-Simples chapel with frescoes depicting medicinal plants.

The Milly peppermint, cultivated here since the 17th century, is the pride of the region. It is in this context of respect and valorization of plants that the Fête de la Châtaigne, celebrating another of the region's plant treasures, takes place.

2025 Edition

The 2025 edition was held in October, with guided foraging in the forest, grilled chestnut tastings, a local producers' market, and culinary workshops for adults and children. The event attracted families and nature lovers for a day of discovery and conviviality.

2026 Edition

The 2026 Fête de la Châtaigne is scheduled for October 2026. It will continue the tradition of a friendly celebration of the fruit of the Essonne forests, with foraging, gastronomy, and activities for the whole family. Admission is free or at a modest price depending on the activities.