Fête du Bleu d'Auvergne

Bleu d'Auvergne AOP: An Exceptional Cheese Born in Cantal

Bleu d'Auvergne is a cow's milk blue cheese, born in the mid-19th century in the Auvergne mountains. Its history is intimately linked to the ingenuity of Antoine Roussel, an Auvergne pharmacist who, in 1845, systematized the appearance of blue veins by seeding the curd with blue mold from rye bread and piercing the cheese with knitting needles to encourage the development of Penicillium roqueforti. This revolutionary piercing technique gave birth to a unique cheese, recognized by a Controlled Designation of Origin (AOC) in 1975 and then by a Protected Designation of Origin (AOP) in 1996.

Bleu d'Auvergne is made exclusively with cow's milk collected in an area covering Cantal, Puy-de-Dôme, and a few neighboring communes. Its creamy and melting texture, streaked with blue-green veins, offers powerful aromas and a flavor that is both bold and balanced, milder than that of Roquefort. It comes in two sizes: a small one of about 1 kg and a large one of 2 to 3 kg.

The Fête du Bleu d'Auvergne: A Gourmet Gathering Since 1998

It was in Riom-ès-Montagnes, a small town in northern Cantal perched at 840 meters altitude and considered the birthplace of Bleu d'Auvergne, that the Fête du Bleu d'Auvergne was born in 1998. Driven by the association Festi'Bleu and SIRBA (Syndicat Interprofessionnel Régional du Bleu d'Auvergne), this event has established itself over the years as one of the largest cheese and regional product events in the Massif Central.

Every year, on the 3rd weekend of August, the Place du Monument and the streets of the town center transform into a vast open-air market bringing together over 100 exhibitors: farmer producers, ripeners, artisans, and winemakers from all over Auvergne and beyond. More than 20,000 visitors flock to discover, taste, and buy the best products from the Cantal region.

A Rich and Varied Program

The Fête du Bleu d'Auvergne offers a dense program over two days. The demonstrations of Bleu d'Auvergne production allow visitors to follow all the stages of making this exceptional cheese live, from seeding the milk to piercing the cheeses. Cooking workshops led by local chefs reveal the many ways to cook with Bleu d'Auvergne, in tarts, sauces, verrines, or desserts.

There are plenty of activities: demonstrations of Salers cow milking, traditional flour making, exhibition of old agricultural equipment, assembly of artisanal knives, and fresh milk tastings immerse visitors in the Auvergne pastoral world. Children enjoy dedicated activities, including a 80 m² remote-controlled miniature car circuit.

The festivities are punctuated by parades of musical and folk groups that parade through the town's streets all day long. On Saturday evening, a dinner-concert served under a marquee and gourmet rides on the Gentiane Express — the tourist train connecting Riom-ès-Montagnes to the Barajol viaduct — offer a unique gastronomic and railway experience. The evening continues with a live concert followed by a DJ set until the early hours of the morning.

A Popular and Unifying Event

Free and open to all, the Fête du Bleu d'Auvergne embodies the conviviality and generosity of Cantal. It promotes the know-how of local producers, raises public awareness of the richness of Auvergne's AOP cheeses, and contributes to the tourist appeal of Riom-ès-Montagnes and Haut-Cantal. By celebrating this emblematic cheese in its region of origin, it perpetuates a living link between gastronomic heritage, pastoral tradition, and popular celebration.