Foire au Pays de la Tarte Tatin

Foire au Pays de la Tarte Tatin: The Gourmet Festival of Lamotte-Beuvron

Every year in September, Lamotte-Beuvron, a small town in the heart of Sologne in Loir-et-Cher, celebrates its most famous gastronomic heritage: the Tarte Tatin. Born within the walls of the Hôtel des Sœurs Tatin at the end of the 19th century, this upside-down caramelized apple tart has become one of the most emblematic desserts in French cuisine. The Foire au Pays de la Tarte Tatin has paid tribute to it for nearly thirty editions.

A Weekend of Flavors and Traditions

The fair takes place over two days, Saturday and Sunday, on the esplanade des Sœurs Tatin and around the Bassin du Canal in the center of Lamotte-Beuvron. Dozens of stands from artisans, merchants, and regional producers offer their specialties: Sologne honey, cheeses, cured meats, jams, gingerbread, local wines, and of course, many variations of the Tarte Tatin.

The Competition for the Best Tarte Tatin

The unmissable highlight of the fair is the competition for the best Tarte Tatin. On Saturday morning, an amateur competition is open to all budding bakers who wish to present their family recipe before a jury of experts. On Sunday, the competition takes on a global dimension with a professional event that brings together pastry chefs from all over France, presided over by a Michelin-starred chef or a Meilleur Ouvrier de France. Among the jury presidents of recent editions are personalities such as Christophe Hay, a double Michelin-starred chef from Loir-et-Cher.

Family Entertainment and Fair Atmosphere

The Foire au Pays de la Tarte Tatin is also a family and popular festival. Carousels and fairground attractions welcome children, while pony rides are offered throughout the weekend. The traditional fair atmosphere—with its flea markets, traveling merchants, and street shows—makes this event a moment of conviviality and sharing, rooted in Solognote traditions.

Les Ambassadeurs de la Tarte Tatin

The event is supported by the association Les Ambassadeurs de la Tarte Tatin de Lamotte-Beuvron, which works year-round to promote this emblematic dessert and the town's gastronomic heritage. They help keep the memory of the Tatin sisters alive and pass on the traditional recipe to new generations.