Fête des Rosières

The Fête des Rosières: a unique tradition in Lot-et-Garonne

Every year, at the end of August, the hilltop village of Tournon-d'Agenais, perched on its promontory overlooking the Lot valley, vibrates to the rhythm of the Fête des Rosières, one of the oldest living traditions in the Lot-et-Garonne department. Since 1845, with few interruptions, this ceremony perpetuates the testamentary wish of a local benefactor by honoring deserving young girls from the canton each year.

Origins: the will of Jean-Guillaume Dubruel

The history of this festival dates back to October 15, 1826, when Jean-Guillaume Dubruel, a wealthy landowner from the village of Anthé, wrote his will in his house in Fages. He expressed his desire that the income from his property be used "to provide a dowry and marry each year as many virtuous and deserving girls as there are one thousand francs of income from the property I shall leave".

The first ceremony took place on December 27, 1845, and caused a sensation throughout the region. Twenty-one Rosières were crowned at this inaugural event. The famous Agenais poet Jasmin, present that day, composed a poem in honor of the event, a text that can still be admired today in the cadastral hall of Tournon-d'Agenais.

The crowning of the Rosières

The highlight of the festival is the crowning of the Rosières, which takes place on Sunday at noon under the historic hall of the town hall. Four young girls, chosen from the communes of the Tournon canton, are distinguished for their qualities and merit. According to the regulations established in August 1908, the Rosières must be at least 16 years old and born in one of the parishes of the former commune of Tournon-d'Agenais. One of them must be from Anthé, the founder's parish, another from Tournon, which hosts the celebration, and the other two are chosen from the neighboring communes of the canton.

The ceremony takes place in the presence of the mayors of all the communes in the canton, the president of the departmental council, and local dignitaries. The Rosières receive their crowns in an atmosphere that is both solemn and festive, before a large crowd from all over the Tournonnais region.

A weekend of popular festivities

Beyond the crowning ceremony, the Fête des Rosières offers a whole weekend of popular celebrations in the streets of the medieval hilltop village:

• Pétanque competition: friendly tournaments and competitions that liven up the village squares
• Gourmet meal: on Saturday evening, a grand festive meal highlights the local products of Lot-et-Garonne
• Musical entertainment: bands, accordion orchestras, and DJs take turns animating the evenings
• Public dances: disco on Saturday evening and accordion dance on Sunday
• Solemn mass: on Sunday morning, a mass accompanied by a musical ensemble precedes the crowning
• Fireworks: a grand fireworks display concludes the festivities on Sunday evening

A living heritage of the Tournonnais

The Fête des Rosières is more than just a festive event. It embodies the collective memory and identity of the Tournonnais, bringing together the inhabitants of all the communes of the canton each year around a tradition that has spanned nearly two centuries. This celebration of virtue and merit, inherited from a time when charitable bequests structured the life of rural communities, remains a moment of pride and gathering for the entire region.

The hilltop village of Tournon-d'Agenais, founded in 1270 and listed among the most beautiful hilltop villages in Lot-et-Garonne, offers an exceptional setting for this festival. Its medieval streets, its historic hall, and its panorama over the Lot valley form a perfect backdrop for this age-old tradition.