Fête du Safran du Quercy

The festival of red gold in Quercy

Every year, on the last weekend of October, the small town of Cajarc, nestled in the Lot valley, celebrates the end of the Quercy saffron harvest during a popular and gourmet festival that has become a must-attend event. Organized since 1998 by the association Les Safraniers du Quercy, which brings together nearly 80 producers, this event highlights an exceptional spice whose cultivation in Quercy dates back to the Middle Ages and the time of the Crusades.

Cajarc, designated "Cité Safran du Quercy" and classified among the Remarkable Sites of Taste since 2011, is the cradle of the revival of this ancestral cultivation. After having almost disappeared during the 20th century, Quercy saffron has experienced a spectacular resurgence since the late 1990s, driven by passionate producers who perpetuate a thousand-year-old know-how.

A program rich in discoveries

The Fête du Safran offers a varied program that delights both gourmets and the curious:

• Saffron field visits: from 10:30 am on Saturday and Sunday, depart from the tourist office to discover the crocus sativus fields in full bloom and witness the picking of the purple flowers
• Producers' market: about fifty local producers and artisans offer saffron, saffron products, honey, jams, Lot wines, and Quercy regional specialties
• Trimming demonstrations: saffron growers show the delicate work of extracting the red stigmas, knowing that it takes about 200,000 flowers to obtain one kilogram of dried saffron
• Conferences on the history, cultivation, and uses of saffron in Quercy
• Culinary demonstrations by local chefs who reveal the secrets of saffron cooking
• Musical entertainment with the Cajarc band and other local groups

The saffron banquet, a highlight of the festival

On Sunday lunchtime, the traditional banquet brings together around 250 guests for a menu entirely made with saffron: saffron soup, pig's trotters with saffron served with saffron mashed potatoes, local cheese, and a saffron dessert. This festive meal, accompanied by Lot wines, embodies the convivial spirit of this village festival. Reservations are required at the Cajarc tourist office.

Quercy saffron, a living heritage

Quercy saffron is more than just a spice: it is a cultural and gastronomic heritage that the Lot producers strive to preserve and promote. The association Les Safraniers du Quercy, founded in 1999, is working to obtain a Label Rouge (Red Label) and a Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) to guarantee the origin and quality of this artisanal production. With a potential of ten kilograms per year and a price of around 30,000 euros per kilo, Quercy saffron is among the most precious products of the French terroir, alongside black truffles and Cahors wine.

Admission to the festival is free. Visitors are invited to bring their own cutlery for the banquet, in an eco-responsible and convivial spirit.