Foire aux Biques

Foire aux Biques: over fifty years of popular festival in Bourgneuf-en-Mauges

Every May 1st, the town of Bourgneuf-en-Mauges, now a delegated commune of Mauges-sur-Loire, celebrates its most iconic festival: the Foire aux Biques. Created in the early 1970s, this popular event celebrated its fiftieth anniversary in 2023 and continues to attract thousands of visitors each year from the Mauges region and all over Maine-et-Loire.

A two-day festive program

The Foire aux Biques traditionally takes place on the evening of April 30th and the day of May 1st. The evening before, a free open-air concert kicks off the festivities, followed by fireworks and a DJ party. On the day of the fair, the program is rich and varied: hiking in the morning with four routes to choose from, activities for all ages throughout the day, a market of exhibitors (artisans, producers, associations), rides and games for children, and refreshments and food on site.

The Randonnée du Biquet

The Randonnée du Biquet, organized on the morning of May 1st, is a sporting highlight of the Foire aux Biques. It offers four hiking routes to discover the hedged landscapes of the Mauges, the ponds, the sunken lanes, and the rural heritage of the commune. Open to all, this hike attracts hundreds of walkers each year.

Rooted in the tradition of the Mauges

The Foire aux Biques gets its name from the goat farming tradition of the Mauges region, where raising goats was long an important agricultural activity. While the fair has evolved over the decades to become a festive and family event, it retains a strong link with the rural and popular culture of the Mauges. The Comité des Fêtes of Bourgneuf-en-Mauges, composed of dedicated volunteers, perpetuates this tradition with passion and conviviality.

A unifying event for the commune

More than just a fair, the Foire aux Biques is a moment of communal gathering that unites the inhabitants of Bourgneuf-en-Mauges and surrounding communes. It's an opportunity to come together, share a friendly moment, and celebrate the identity and dynamism of the territory. With its 53rd edition in 2025, the Foire aux Biques confirms its status as an unmissable event on the festive calendar of the Mauges.