Fête de Santeny

The Fête de Santeny

Santeny (94440) is a rural commune in Val-de-Marne located at the eastern end of the department, at the gates of the Sénart regional forest and on the banks of the Yerres valley. This village has managed to preserve a rare rural and bucolic character for a commune in the Parisian suburbs. Its annual festival is an anticipated and appreciated event that honors this unique rustic identity.

An exceptional natural setting

Santeny is surrounded by natural spaces of great ecological value: the Sénart forest to the east, the Yerres valley to the north, and the fields and meadows of the Brie plateau. This exceptional natural setting is the main asset of the Fête de Santeny. Outdoor activities, concerts in green spaces, and guided hikes take full advantage of this preserved environment.

The festival program

The Fête de Santeny offers a day or weekend of festivities adapted to the spirit of the place:

• Live music concert in the open air with local or regional artists
• Market of local producers and artisans from the region
• Guided hike in the woods and on the trails of the commune
• Children's activities: country games, nature discovery
• Rustic meal or large collective barbecue
• Popular dance in the evening

Local producers in the spotlight

The Fête de Santeny particularly highlights local producers from the Yerres valley and the Brie plateau. Market gardeners, breeders, winegrowers, and food artisans from the region present their products at a farmers' market that reflects the agricultural richness of this terroir. Promoting local agriculture and short supply chains is a strong focus of this rural commune's festival.

The persistence of rural life in the suburbs

Santeny represents a rare and precious case in Île-de-France: that of a commune that has resisted urban pressure and maintained its rural character just a few dozen kilometers from Paris. Its annual festival is the expression of this collective choice to preserve a different way of life, closer to nature and agricultural rhythms. It attracts many visitors from neighboring urban areas who find a welcome change of scenery.

Community and volunteer involvement

As in all small villages, the Fête de Santeny could not exist without the passionate volunteer work of local associations. The festival committee, sports and cultural associations, and willing residents dedicate time and energy to ensure that this annual celebration lives up to the attachment of the Santeny residents to their commune.