Fête des Grattons de Châteaumeillant
The great popular festival of Boischaut
2026
About Fête des Grattons
Fête des Grattons — edition 2026
The Fête des Grattons will take place in Châteaumeillant on September 5th, 6th, and 7th, 2026, as announced by the festival committee (S.O.F.C.) in municipal bulletin no. 39. Two events already have scheduled times: La Ruée Berrichonne, a colorful obstacle course on Saturday, and the Grand Prix des Grattons, an Elite National cycling race, on Monday. The Sunday float parade schedule has not yet been published.
2026 Edition
The Châteaumeillant festival committee (S.O.F.C.) has announced a three-day festival from Saturday, September 5th to Monday, September 7th, 2026, in municipal bulletin no. 39. The election of the Queen, which precedes the festival each year, will take place on April 4th, 2026, at 7:00 PM.
Two sporting events have been confirmed. On Saturday, September 5th at 4:30 PM, the Communauté de communes Berry Grand Sud is hosting La Ruée Berrichonne, starting from the Salle Maurice Delaire: 5 km of obstacles and colored powder, free with registration. On Monday, September 7th, the Grand Prix des Grattons kicks off the 39th Challenge Boischaut-Marche; this Elite National event is organized by Avenir Cycliste Dunois, and entries close on September 4th.
As of mid-August 2026, neither the schedule for the Sunday parade nor the theme for the floats has been released. The festival committee provides updates via their Facebook group and by email at [email protected].
Highlights Fête des Grattons 2026
- La Ruée Berrichonne, a 5 km colorful obstacle course — Saturday, September 5th at 4:30 PM, starting at Salle Maurice Delaire, free
- Parade of decorated floats and marching bands — Sunday, September 6th, afternoon
- Grand Prix des Grattons, Elite National cycling race — Monday, September 7th
Programme Fête des Grattons 2026
Saturday, September 5th, 2026
- 4:30 PM — La Ruée Berrichonne: A 5 km obstacle course with colored powder, starting at the Salle Maurice Delaire. Four additional waves of 60 people will depart every 5 minutes. Free, registration via protiming.fr or on-site, subject to availability. Event organized by the Communauté de communes Berry Grand Sud.
Sunday, September 6th, 2026
The main day of the festival, featuring a parade of floats and marching bands in the afternoon. No specific schedule has been released.
Monday, September 7th, 2026
- Grand Prix des Grattons: An Elite National circuit cycling race organized by Avenir Cycliste Dunois. This is the first of six rounds in the 39th Challenge Boischaut-Marche. Registration closes on September 4th. The start time has not been published.
Schedule announced by the municipality
The town of Châteaumeillant describes the three-day event as follows, though no times or float themes have been set for 2026:
- Saturday — Sports tournaments open to all, soapbox derby, followed by an evening dance with dinner.
- Sunday — Picnic at the Champ de Foire at noon, followed by a parade of decorated floats accompanied by majorettes or marching bands through the main streets. The Queen and King, elected in March, will be presented.
- Monday — Cycling race.
- All three days — Funfair.
As of mid-August 2026, the festival committee has not yet released a detailed schedule.
Prices Fête des Grattons 2026
Practical information — Fête des Grattons
Practical information
- Dates: First weekend of September (Saturday, Sunday, Monday)
- Location: Châteaumeillant town center
- Access: Free (except meals)
- Tradition: Over 300 years of history
Program over 3 days
Saturday:
- Sports tournaments
- Soapbox derby
- Braised beef dinner
Sunday (main day):
- Producers' and winegrowers' market
- Traditional parade of decorated floats
- Brass bands and entertainment
- Confetti and festive atmosphere
Monday:
- Traditional cycling race
The Fête des Grattons is the major event in Châteaumeillant, a centuries-old tradition dating back over three hundred years. Its origin is said to date back to the last great plague epidemic that ravaged the region in 1689. The name of the festival comes from an old custom: children used to throw "grattons" (prickly burdock fruits) at women's clothes. Today, grattons have been advantageously replaced by confetti.
Every year, on the first weekend of September, Châteaumeillant lives to the rhythm of this great popular festival which unfolds over three days:
Saturday
Sports tournaments open to all and soapbox derby. In the evening, braised beef dinner for gourmets.
Sunday
Highlight of the festival with the producers' and winegrowers' market in the morning, followed in the afternoon by the traditional parade of decorated floats and brass bands that crosses the town in a festive and colorful atmosphere.
Monday
One of the oldest cycling races in the department concludes these three days of festivities.
The Fête des Grattons also celebrates local gastronomy and wines, Châteaumeillant being a wine-producing town with its AOC grey and red wines.
Where does it take place — Fête des Grattons
Fête des Grattons in brief
Other festivals near Châteaumeillant
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