Fête de l'automne d'Argentré

A festival born from an apple competition

In the autumn of 2018, the Laval Pomological Society held its departmental competition in Argentré. The municipality took the opportunity to organize apple-themed activities, including a jam competition and juice pressing. Following its success, the town decided to host the event itself: the first Autumn Festival took place on October 19th and 20th, 2019, in partnership with the pomological society and its producers.

What to expect

The festival is held at L'Escapade, the community hall overlooking the lake and the Jouanne river. Visitors can enjoy an exhibition of apples and autumn fruits curated with the help of the Société pomologique du pays de Laval and the Société d'horticulture de la Mayenne, as well as tastings, demonstrations, workshops, and a seasonal market featuring numerous vendors selling apples, squash, honey, cider, perry, beer, cheeses, vegetables, bread, pâtés, rillettes, and walnuts.

The jam competition is open to all. In 2023, it was joined by two other contests: the largest pumpkin and the most beautiful autumn basket, filled with fruits and vegetables from participants' own gardens; however, the 2024 and 2025 posters only mention the jam competition.

The meal and apple juice

On Sunday at noon, a homemade meal made with local products is served: it cost €6 in 2023 and €7 in 2025. The 2025 menu featured an autumn velouté, a vegetable and cheese tartiflette, salad, a Norman tart, and coffee. A refreshment bar is open throughout the event.

Apples from the orchards of Argentré are pressed a few days before the festival in the L'Escapade parking lot, where two local school classes visited on October 17th, 2025. The pure juice is packaged in 3-liter Pouch-Up bags with a tap, sold for €7 each or three for €20 in 2025, available by reservation for pickup during the festival or at the town hall.