Fête de la Saint-Bourrou

An ancestral wine tradition

The Fête de la Saint-Bourrou has its origins in an ancient tradition linked to the "vine vows", those pilgrimages that winegrowers made to seek divine protection for their vineyards. The first written trace of the celebration dates back to 1783. On June 22, 1886, the Journal de l'Aveyron described 200 winegrowers, vine buds on their lapels, coming to celebrate a mass at the parish church of Marcillac. The name "Bourrou" comes from Occitan and designates the vine bud, a symbol of spring renewal.

The Échansonnerie and the AOC Marcillac

In 1989, on the eve of obtaining the appellation d'origine contrôlée (AOC) Marcillac in 1990, the Échansonnerie de Saint-Bourrou was founded, a brotherhood of winegrowers dedicated to the promotion and defense of Marcillac wine, produced from the Mansois (or Fer Servadou) grape variety. This brotherhood plays a central role in the organization of the festival and the perpetuation of its rituals.

Three days of festivities

The Fête de la Saint-Bourrou takes place on the Pentecost weekend and lasts for three days. Saturday begins with open doors at the Valady cooperative winery, a pétanque competition and games for children. Sunday offers a traditional market in the morning, a gourmet breakfast and a tasting of AOP Marcillac wines in the church square, followed by a "veau-aligot" meal and a concert.

The parade and enthronement

Pentecost Monday is the highlight of the festival. At 9:30 am, the traditional parade of winegrowers sets off from La Murette: members of the Échansonnerie in ceremonial dress, elected officials, schoolchildren and the Harmonie de Marcillac cross the village to the church. At 10:30 am, a mass is celebrated at Notre-Dame de Foncourrieu. At noon, the enthronement at Cachefaix — a unique ritual between Marcillac wine and traditional ceremony — welcomes new members into the brotherhood, followed by the "Guibou" meal.