Foire aux Pieds de Cochon
The culinary specialty of Sainte-Ménehould in the spotlight
About Foire aux Pieds de Cochon
The celebration of a legendary specialty
The Foire aux Pieds de Cochon of Sainte-Ménehould is a unique gastronomic event in France that celebrates the most emblematic culinary specialty of the capital of Argonne. According to tradition, the recipe for Sainte-Ménehould style pork trotters was born in the 18th century in a local inn, from a dish forgotten on the fire. This slow and prolonged cooking — approximately thirty hours over low heat, the trotters wrapped in a fabric ribbon to maintain their shape — gives the meat an incomparable melting texture, until the bones themselves become edible.
The Confrérie du Pied de Cochon
Founded in 2003 by a group of enthusiasts of the Argonne region, the Confrérie du Pied de Cochon « à la Sainte-Ménehould » has set itself the mission of defending and promoting the traditional recipe for pork trotters, as well as more broadly the local products of Argonne. Chaired by Thomas Laffrata, its members, recognizable by their ceremonial attire, preside over the festivities and induct new knights of the pork trotter each year. The fair is organized jointly with the association Argonne en Bouche, chaired by Bruno Cellier, a former artisan baker-pastry chef and defender of regional products.
A gourmet market at the Parc de l'Isle Sainte-Marie
The Parc de l'Isle Sainte-Marie, on the edge of the city center, hosts around a hundred exhibitors each year: local producers, food artisans, winemakers, and creators offer specialties from Argonne and Champagne. Pork trotters prepared according to the traditional recipe are served to gourmets who flock by the thousands — over 2,000 visitors each year — to taste this unique specialty. A dining hall accommodates approximately 200 seated people for lunch.
Festive and friendly entertainment
The fair's program includes entertainment for all ages: the famous pig squealing contest which sparks general hilarity, the biggest pork trotter eater contest, the guess the pig's weight game, pig tail throwing, duck fishing for children, musical entertainment with accordion and local groups, as well as festive costumed strolls by the members of the Confrérie. The entire day takes place in a rustic and good-natured atmosphere, as May 8th is a public holiday.
Foire aux Pieds de Cochon — edition 2026
The Foire aux Pieds de Cochon 2026 was held on Friday, May 8, 2026 at the Parc de l'Isle Sainte-Marie in Sainte-Ménehould. More than 2,000 visitors celebrated the emblematic culinary specialty of the Argonne capital: a gastronomic and craft market with about a hundred exhibitors, pig's trotters tastings, a pig squealing contest, musical entertainment, and a new feature for 2026 with the "poêlée argonnaise".
2026 Edition — Friday, May 8
The Foire aux Pieds de Cochon celebrated its traditional gourmet day on May 8, 2026, at the Parc de l'Isle Sainte-Marie, as it was a public holiday. Organized by the association Argonne en Bouche and the Confrérie du Pied de Cochon, this year the fair gathered more than 2,000 visitors who came to taste the emblematic culinary specialty of Sainte-Ménehould.
A 2026 novelty: the "poêlée argonnaise"
For this 2026 edition, the Argonne en Bouche association presented a new culinary creation developed on site: the poêlée argonnaise, composed of pig's trotter, potatoes, onions, and traditional mustard. A way to reinvent the emblematic recipe while respecting the local ingredients of Argonne. As Bruno Cellier, president of Argonne en Bouche, recalled, the pig's trotters were cooked for about thirty hours over low heat, wrapped in a fabric ribbon to maintain their form.
A market of producers and artisans
About a hundred exhibitors — local producers, food artisans, winemakers, and creators — occupied the Parc de l'Isle Sainte-Marie throughout the day. Argonne specialties, cured meats, cheeses, Champagne wines, honeys, and artisanal creations were on the program. The dining hall welcomed approximately 200 seated people for lunch with a tasting of the famous "à la Sainte-Ménehould" pig's trotters.
Entertainment and contests
The day was punctuated by the fair's classics: pig squealing contest, guess-the-pig's-weight game, pig's tail throwing, duck fishing for the youngest, musical entertainment with accordion and local groups, and festive parades by the members of the Confrérie in ceremonial attire, presided over by Thomas Laffrata. France 3 Champagne-Ardenne covered the event, highlighting the local pride surrounding this unique culinary institution in France.
Programme Foire aux Pieds de Cochon 2026
Friday, May 8, 2026 — all day (10 AM - 6 PM)
- 10 AM — Opening of the gastronomic and craft market (≈100 exhibitors) at the Parc de l'Isle Sainte-Marie
- All morning — Tastings of "à la Sainte-Ménehould" pig's trotters at the stands and festive parades by the Confrérie in ceremonial attire
- Noon — Tasting meal in the hall (≈200 covers), with the 2026 novelty: the "poêlée argonnaise" (pig's trotter, potatoes, onions, traditional mustard) prepared on site by Argonne en Bouche
- Afternoon — Pig squealing contest (the fair's flagship event)
- Afternoon — Pig's trotter eating contest
- Afternoon — Guess-the-pig's-weight game and pig's tail throwing
- Afternoon — Duck fishing and entertainment for children
- All day — Musical entertainment: accordion, local Argonne groups
- All day — Exhibition of drawings from the "Draw me a pig" contest (ruelle de la Charité)
- 6 PM — Closing of the fair
Official times and program published by the Couleurs d'Argonne Tourist Office (source JDS / OT sheet, updated 03/21/2026). Order of events indicative based on the usual schedule.
Highlights Foire aux Pieds de Cochon 2026
- Edition held on Friday, May 8, 2026, a public holiday
- More than 2,000 visitors (source France 3 Champagne-Ardenne)
- Around 100 exhibitors: local producers, food artisans, winemakers
- New for 2026: the "poêlée argonnaise" (pig's trotter, potatoes, onions, mustard) prepared on site by Argonne en Bouche
- Pig's trotters cooked for 30 hours over low heat according to the traditional recipe
- Pig squealing contest, biggest eater contest, guess-the-weight, pig's tail throwing
- Dining hall with 200 covers for the gourmet lunch
- Musical entertainment (accordion, local groups) and "Draw me a pig" exhibition
- Coverage by France 3 Champagne-Ardenne
Prices Foire aux Pieds de Cochon 2026
Practical information — Foire aux Pieds de Cochon
Access
The Parc de l'Isle Sainte-Marie is located on the edge of the city center of Sainte-Ménehould (51800), in the Marne. Sainte-Ménehould is accessible via the RN3 from Reims (approx. 1 hr) or by the A4 motorway (Sainte-Ménehould exit). Free parking near the park.
Prices
Admission to the site is free. Tastings and meals are paid, available for purchase at producer stands and the catering stand.
Date
The fair takes place annually on May 8th, a public holiday, allowing everyone to participate.
Hours
From approximately 10 AM to 6 PM. Tastings and entertainment take place throughout the day.
Contact
Confrérie du Pied de Cochon
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.confrerie-du-pied-de-cochon.com
Office de Tourisme Couleurs d'Argonne — tourist information and accommodation
Tel.: 03 26 60 85 83 — www.argonne.fr
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Where does it take place — Foire aux Pieds de Cochon
Parc de l'Isle Sainte-Marie
Parc de l'Isle Sainte-Marie, 51800 Sainte-Ménehould, 51800 Sainte-Ménehould