Fête Paysanne

A Living Museum of Rural Life of Yesteryear

For over forty years, the Fête Paysanne of Saint-Laurent-de-Lin has been preserving the memory of the agricultural and artisanal traditions of rural Touraine. Organized by the association Traditions et Loisirs, this event transforms the Chêne Pilé farm, located 4 km from Château-la-Vallière towards Bourgueil, into a true village of yesteryear every first weekend of August, where time seems to have stopped at the beginning of the 20th century.

Demonstrations and Ancestral Know-How

The heart of the Fête Paysanne lies in the demonstrations of old machinery and crafts. Visitors can witness the operation of vintage tractors, old engines, and collector vehicles, but especially the spectacular threshing with a steam engine, this steam machine that animated the countryside in the era of great harvests. Artisans in period costumes present their traditional know-how: the carpenter, the blacksmith, the clog maker, the wood turner, the rope maker, the wool spinner, and the lacemaker shape everyday peasant objects before the public's eyes. Oxen and donkey teams at work complete this immersion into the agricultural life of yesteryear.

A Festive Weekend for the Whole Family

Saturday is dedicated to a large flea market open from 7 am with free admission, accompanied by hiking trails of 5 or 8 kilometers starting at 9:30 am. Saturday evening features a convivial pot-au-feu followed by musical entertainment and a final fireworks display. A sound and light show also enchants visitors. On Sunday, the farm gates open for a full day dedicated to exhibitions and demonstrations of old agricultural equipment, with the presentation of local Touraine products.

Living Heritage Rooted in the Territory

The Fête Paysanne of Saint-Laurent-de-Lin is part of a movement to preserve the rural heritage of Northern Touraine. The association Traditions et Loisirs, driven by passionate volunteers, works to pass on to new generations the richness of the gestures and crafts that have shaped our countryside. The event attracts thousands of visitors each year from all over the Centre-Val de Loire region, seduced by the authenticity of the re-enactments and the warmth of the Touraine welcome.