Fête du Coing Gourmand at the Château d'Argy

The only quince festival in France

The Fête du Coing Gourmand is a unique event in France, entirely dedicated to quince, this forgotten autumn fruit with an enchanting aroma. Organized every first Sunday of October in the magnificent courtyard of the Château d'Argy, a historic monument classified since 1930, this gourmet festival has been celebrating quince in all its forms since 2009. Around 5,000 visitors flock each year to discover this fruit and the culinary creations it inspires.

An exceptional gourmet market

About thirty exhibitors gather in the castle courtyard to offer a rich and varied gourmet market. Visitors can taste and buy jams, jellies, ice creams, macarons, biscuits, herbal teas, and many other quince-based specialties. Local producers also offer artisanal charcuterie, regional cheeses, honey, ancient grain pasta, and aromatic herbs. A quince-themed lunch is available for the most gourmet visitors.

The quince conservatory orchard

One of the association's flagship projects is the creation of a conservatory orchard of quince trees in the castle gardens. More than twenty fruit trees have been planted since 2015, including two exceptionally rare varieties: aromatnaya, the only tree in the world producing quinces that can be eaten raw, and constantinople, renowned for the incomparable flavor of its fruits. This heritage orchard contributes to the preservation of old varieties threatened with extinction.

Artistic crafts and musical entertainment

Beyond gastronomy, the festival highlights artistic crafts with the presence of ceramicists, cutlers, engravers, and basket weavers who exhibit and demonstrate their skills. Musical entertainment fills the market aisles, with jazz and Balkan music concerts. Culinary workshops for children are organized by professional pastry chefs, and guided tours of the castle allow visitors to discover this Louis XII-style architectural gem.

A castle serving heritage

The Association des Amis du Château d'Argy (AACA) organizes this festival to promote the site and raise funds for the restoration of the castle. The proceeds from each edition finance specific renovation and heritage enhancement projects. The quince festival is thus part of an approach to heritage preservation and the promotion of the Berry region's terroir.