Fête de la Châtaigne de Saint-Yrieix-la-Perche

The chestnut, treasure of the Limousin terroir

The Fête de la Châtaigne de Saint-Yrieix-la-Perche is more than just a market: it is a living celebration of a fruit that has fed entire generations in Limousin. Nicknamed the "bread tree" since 1842, the chestnut tree has long been the staple food for the inhabitants of Périgord-Limousin. As early as 1698, the intendant of Limousin noted that the region was covered with chestnut trees whose fruit constituted the main food for the inhabitants.

An exceptional producers' market

In the heart of the magnificent Jardins du Moulinassou, about twenty local producers present the best of the Haute-Vienne terroir: fresh and processed chestnuts, sweet and savory madeleines — an Arédienne specialty —, honeys, farm cheeses, artisanal oils, herbal teas, seasonal vegetables, and Limousin trout. The association Saveurs et Terroir orchestrates this day with the support of the Office de Tourisme du Pays de Saint-Yrieix, creating a true open-air gourmet village.

Apples, cider, and ancestral know-how

The apple is the guest of honor alongside the chestnut. The Confrérie de la Pomme du Limousin offers demonstrations of fresh juice pressing and an exhibition of old varieties, a testament to a remarkable fruit heritage. The La Faye agricultural college also participates by presenting its processed products, illustrating the transmission of know-how between generations.

Family entertainment and conviviality

The Fête de la Châtaigne is designed for the whole family. Children enjoy pony rides, face painting, giant board games, and a workshop to discover the world of bees. Adults attend demonstrations of traditional basket weaving and chestnut roasting, while a catering area offers local dishes: chestnut boudin, rillettes, ratatouille, and other Limousin specialties.

Saint-Yrieix, gourmet capital of Limousin

Voted best gourmet offering among the "Plus Beaux Détours de France" (Most Beautiful Detours in France) in 2011, Saint-Yrieix-la-Perche is also the birthplace of Cul-Noir pork and the famous Madeleine Bijou. The Fête de la Châtaigne is part of this tradition of gastronomic excellence, in the heart of a medieval town founded in the 6th century by Arédius, listed among the Most Beautiful Detours in France and nestled in the Périgord-Limousin Regional Natural Park.