Fête des Loges

The Fête des Loges: nearly four centuries of funfair tradition

The Fête des Loges is much more than a simple funfair: it is a heritage institution whose origins date back to 1652, when Pope Innocent X established the cult of Saint Fiacre, patron saint of gardeners, in the chapel of the Loges in the forest of Saint-Germain-en-Laye. An annual pilgrimage quickly developed, attracting the faithful, merchants, and public entertainers, gradually transforming religious devotion into a rustic and popular festival.

From medieval origins to the modern fair

The history of the site is even older: as early as 1138, Saint Louis had a hunting lodge and a chapel built in the forest. Over the centuries, the fair evolved: the first rides were installed in the 19th century, and in 1893, the municipality of Saint-Germain-en-Laye decided to extend the duration of the fair from three to ten days. Today, it lasts for nearly two months, from late June to mid-August, and welcomes over three million visitors each summer.

Over 200 attractions for all ages

The Fête des Loges offers an open-air amusement park with over 200 rides, entertainment, and restaurants. From roller coasters and thrill rides for adrenaline junkies to gentle attractions for toddlers, as well as traditional shooting and duck fishing games, everyone finds something to enjoy under the royal forest canopy.

The "Allée des Cuisines": a gourmet paradise

One of the fair's major attractions is the famous "Allée des Cuisines" (Alley of Kitchens), a true open-air gastronomic street. Brasseries, candy stalls, cotton candy, waffles, churros, and regional specialties delight visitors from noon onwards. The restaurateurs, often from funfair families established for generations, perpetuate a know-how and conviviality that make the place renowned.

Living traditions

The Fête des Loges maintains age-old traditions: the crowning of the Queen of the Loges, the Saint Fiacre festival with its mass and floral decorations, thematic parades (Portuguese, Brazilian, Caribbean, fantasy), and the charity evening for the association Coucou Nous Voilou, which supports hospitalized children.