Fête de la Gentiane

Yellow Gentian: An Emblematic Plant of the Cantal Massif

Yellow gentian (Gentiana lutea) is a majestic perennial plant that grows on the plateaus and mountain pastures of the Massif Central, between 800 and 1,800 meters above sea level. Recognizable by its large veined leaves and golden-yellow flowers arranged in tiers, it can reach over a meter in height and live for several decades. Its thick, deep root, traditionally harvested by hand by gentian harvesters using a special fork called a "diable," has been used for centuries for its digestive and tonic properties.

It is in Riom-ès-Montagnes, in the heart of the Pays Gentiane in northern Cantal, that this tradition is most vibrant. The town gave its name to the Pays Gentiane and is home to the factory producing Avèze, the famous gentian aperitif created in 1929, which has become one of the most iconic drinks of Auvergne.

A Popular Festival Since 1997

The Fête de la Gentiane was born in 1997, driven by enthusiasts grouped within the association Autour de la Gentiane. Their ambition: to introduce the general public to the richness of the region, the traditional know-how related to gentian, the local economic and associative fabric, as well as the natural and historical heritage of the Pays Gentiane. For nearly thirty years, this free and popular festival has brought together thousands of visitors in the streets of Riom-ès-Montagnes every summer in mid-July.

A Rich Program Combining Terroir, Nature, and Tradition

The craft market is the heart of the festival, bringing together dozens of producers and artisans from the Pays Gentiane and Cantal: cheese makers, charcuterie producers, beekeepers, herbalists, distillers, and local creators. Visitors can discover the many products derived from gentian—liqueurs, syrups, candies, cosmetics—as well as the specialties of the Cantal region.

Discovery hikes take participants to the plateaus to witness demonstrations of gentian uprooting by the gentian harvesters, an ancestral practice that fascinates young and old alike. These walking tours offer an opportunity to discover the remarkable flora of the mountain pastures and the magnificent landscapes of the Haut-Cantal.

The Gentiane Express, an iconic tourist train that runs on the old railway line between Riom-ès-Montagnes and the Barajol viaduct, offers special rides with stops on the plateaus for demonstrations and tastings. Traditional Auvergne music concerts liven up the streets and squares throughout the day, featuring folk groups, cabrette players, and hurdy-gurdy musicians.

Activities and Festivities for All Audiences

Exhibitions trace the history of gentian and its exploitation in Cantal, while conferences provide deeper insights into this plant with a thousand virtues. Workshops for children, presentations of old agricultural equipment, and demonstrations of artisanal know-how complete a program designed for all ages.

The day continues into the evening with a free concert and dance that gets visitors dancing until the early hours of the morning, in the purest tradition of Cantal village festivals. The warm and authentic atmosphere of the Fête de la Gentiane makes it a special occasion to discover the living heritage of the Pays Gentiane and the conviviality of its inhabitants.