Fête de la Paysannerie et des Vieux Métiers

The Fête de la Paysannerie: a journey into Valentigney's rural heritage

Each year in early October, the Town of Valentigney and the Museum of Peasantry and Old Crafts organize a popular festival dedicated to rural heritage, old trades and peasant traditions. This event has become a must-attend autumn gathering in the Pays de Montbéliard.

The Museum of Peasantry, heart of the event

The Museum of Peasantry and Old Crafts, located at 25 rue de la Villedieu in Valentigney, is the beating heart of this festival. Created to preserve and pass on the memory of the rural and artisanal world, the museum houses collections of tools, everyday objects and agricultural machinery testifying to the peasant life of yesteryear. During the festival, the museum is open and free of charge.

A program rich in discoveries

The Fête de la Paysannerie offers a varied program that appeals to young and old alike:

• Demonstrations of old trades: blacksmithing, basket weaving, embroidery, weaving, bookbinding, stone cutting
• Mini-farm: horses, cows, chickens, rabbits and other farm animals
• Pony and carriage rides for children
• Farmers' market on Place Émile Peugeot with local producers
• Preservation demonstrations and traditional jam making
• Dairy workshops: discovering cheese making
• Catering with local specialties and refreshments
• Free visit of the museum and its collections

A heritage to preserve

The Fête de la Paysannerie et des Vieux Métiers testifies to Valentigney's attachment to its rural and artisanal heritage. In a town marked by industrial history (notably the Peugeot adventure), this event recalls the peasant roots of the territory and the richness of traditional know-how. It is a unique opportunity to rediscover the trades and local life of yesteryear, in a warm and authentic atmosphere.

The Rhubarb Festival

The Museum of Peasantry also organizes the Rhubarb Festival in the spring, another gourmet and convivial event that celebrates this emblematic product of the local terroir.