Fête du Crottin de Chavignol

Le Crottin de Chavignol, an exceptional cheese

Crottin de Chavignol is a raw goat's milk cheese with AOC status since 1976 and PDO status since 1996. It is produced in a delimited geographical area comprising 43 communes in the Sancerrois and Berry regions. The village of Chavignol, part of the commune of Sancerre, is the historical birthplace of this emblematic cheese. A small cylindrical cheese, 4 to 5 cm in diameter and weighing around 60 grams, Crottin is characterized by its white bloomy rind that turns beige, and its fine paste with a creamy texture when young, becoming dry and crumbly with age.

A festival to celebrate cheese heritage

The Fête du Crottin de Chavignol is organized to celebrate this exceptional gastronomic heritage. The event generally takes place in spring or summer in the village of Chavignol or in Sancerre. It brings together Crottin producers, goat farmers, artisan cheesemakers, and lovers of good food.

Tastings and meetings with producers

At the heart of the festival are the Crottin tastings in various stages of aging: young (8 days), semi-dry (15 days), or dry (over 3 weeks). Visitors can discover the aromatic nuances of the cheese according to its aging stage. Producers share their passion and explain the manufacturing steps, from milking the goats to ladling the curd into molds, and finally aging in the cellar.

Local produce market and entertainment

The festival also features a market for local Sancerrois products: Sancerre wines, honey, charcuterie, local vegetables, and fruits. Entertainment punctuates the day: cheese-making demonstrations, goat farm visits, workshops for children, and traditional music. Visitors can also explore the village of Chavignol, its narrow streets, and its vineyards.

Chavignol and Sancerre, an exceptional terroir

The village of Chavignol is nestled in the heart of the Sancerre vineyards, between Sauvignon blanc vines and pastures. This proximity between vineyards and goat farming is unique and gives the Sancerrois region exceptional gastronomic richness. The Fête du Crottin is an opportunity to discover this terroir where cheese and wine dialogue wonderfully.