Foire Comtoise
The great popular and gastronomic fair of Besançon at Micropolis
2026
About Foire Comtoise
Foire Comtoise — edition 2026
The 98th edition of the Foire Comtoise was held from May 8 to 17, 2026 at Micropolis Besançon, on the theme « Discovering Naples and the Mysteries of Pompeii ». For the first time, the fair spanned 10 days, welcoming 600 exhibitors, a Neapolitan village, an unprecedented immersive exhibition on Pompeii, the Comtois draft horse in the spotlight, and the traditional funfair.
Foire Comtoise 2026 — 98th Edition
The 98th edition of the Foire Comtoise took place from Friday, May 8 to Sunday, May 17, 2026 at Micropolis Besançon. This edition marked a turning point: for the first time, the fair was held over 10 days (one day more than usual) to allow the public to fully enjoy the new features.
Naples and the Mysteries of Pompeii in the Spotlight
The 2026 edition invited visitors on a unique cultural journey around Naples and Pompeii. At the heart of Hall E, a Neapolitan village brought together artisan shops, Italian gastronomy, and a space dedicated to Diego Maradona. The exhibition « The Mysteries and Treasures of Pompeii », specially designed for the Foire Comtoise, offered an immersive museographic experience with reconstructions and photographs — a first in France within the framework of a fair.
600 Exhibitors and New Attractions
Approximately 600 exhibitors occupied the various halls of Micropolis (Hall A1, A2, B2, E, reception halls), offering crafts, gastronomy, regional products, and innovations. Six new attractions appeared at the funfair, in the Open Air Space.
The Comtois Draft Horse Highlighted
An emblematic breed of the region, the Comtois draft horse was the guest of honor in the agricultural section, with demonstrations (grooming, harnessing, ridden presentation) and several competitions in Hall A1 on May 13 and 14. Equitation du Doubs took over on May 16 and 17, and sheep breeders, llamas, poultry, and rabbits followed one another throughout the fortnight.
A Fair in Partnership with ici Besançon
Radio ici Besançon (formerly France Bleu) set up its studio on stand A02 in the North Reception Hall for live broadcasts throughout the fair. A large contest with QR codes to scan in the aisles boosted attendance.
The 2026 edition opened with a sold-out first day on Friday, May 8. The 99th edition of the Foire Comtoise is expected in May 2027.
Highlights Foire Comtoise 2026
- 98th edition spanning 10 days for the first time (instead of 9 usually)
- Unique theme: Naples and the Mysteries of Pompeii, with an immersive museographic exhibition never before offered at a fair in France
- 600 exhibitors spread across the halls of Micropolis
- Neapolitan village with gastronomy, crafts, and a Maradona space
- Show « Napule è » with free access, 4 daily performances
- Grand equestrian show on May 16 with vaulters and Jérôme Sefer
- Comtois draft horse in the spotlight: demonstrations and competitions
- Six new attractions at the funfair
- First day on May 8 sold out
Programme Foire Comtoise 2026
Shows and Parades
- Napule è — Hall B2 (Performance Hall) — 11:30 AM (except Friday, May 8 morning), 3:00 PM, 5:00 PM, and 8:00 PM during evening openings · Free show with actors, musicians, and dancers around Naples
- Venetian Costumed Parades — May 8 to 10 · Free wandering through the aisles with twelve characters in richly adorned costumes
- Grand Equestrian Show — Saturday, May 16 at 7:30 PM · Hall A1 · Vaulters and Jérôme Sefer
Concerts and Music
- Boulevard Ouest (concert stage) — Evening openings from 6:30 PM :
- Friday, May 8 and Wednesday, May 13: DJ ToniMaverick
- Thursday, May 14 and Friday, May 15: M'elodie
- Saturday, May 16: Pat d'F
- Musica Viva — Hall E (Neapolitan village) · Daily · Live Italian music
- Pianos Gaëtan Leroux — Hall A2 · Evening openings at 6 PM; Saturday, May 9, Thursday, May 14, and Saturday, May 16 at 3:00 PM
- Karaoke / Blindtest — Hall E · May 9, 13, 14, 15, and 16 from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Exhibitions and Villages
- Neapolitan Village — Hall E · Daily · Artisan shops, gastronomy, Maradona space
- Pompeii Reconstructions — Hall E · Daily · Immersive educational tour
- Pompeii in Images — Hall E · Daily · Photographic exhibition
Activities and Workshops
- Pedal Karts — Open Air Space · Daily · Children aged 6-8 and up
- Terrarium Workshops — Hall A2 · May 8 to 12 · 45 limited spots
- Children's Face Painting — North Reception Hall · Daily
- Workshop « Do more with less » — Open Air Space · Daily
- Giant Wooden Games — Open Air Space · Daily
Agricultural Section — Hall A1
- Llamas, Poultry, and Rabbits — May 8 to 10
- Comtois Draft Horses (demonstrations and competitions) — May 13 and 14
- Equitation du Doubs — May 16 and 17
- Sheep Breeders — May 16 and 17
Opening Hours
- Friday, May 8: 10 AM - 11 PM (late opening)
- Saturday, May 9: 10 AM - 11 PM (late opening)
- Sunday, May 10: 10 AM - 8 PM
- Monday, May 11 and Tuesday, May 12: 10 AM - 8 PM (free entry until 1:30 PM)
- Wednesday, May 13 and Thursday, May 14: 10 AM - 11 PM (late openings)
- Friday, May 15 and Saturday, May 16: 10 AM - 11 PM (late openings)
- Sunday, May 17: 10 AM - 7 PM (closing)
Prices Foire Comtoise 2026
Reduced rate (12-18 years old, students, job seekers, people with disabilities): 6 €
Child (6-11 years old): 3 €
Free for children under 6
Tribe Pass (2 adults + 2 children 6-11 years old): 15 € — on-site only
Ginko subscribers: 5 € upon presentation of card
Ginko Pass + fair entry: 7 € (round-trip transport included)
Free entry on Monday, May 11 and Tuesday, May 12 until 1:30 PM
Online ticketing: https://billetterie.micropolis.fr/fcb26
Foire Comtoise — 2027 edition
The 2026 edition was held from 8 May to 17 May 2026. The dates for the 2027 edition have not been announced yet. This page will be updated as soon as the official programme is published.
Practical information — Foire Comtoise
Access to the Foire Comtoise
Address
Micropolis — Exhibition and Congress Center
3 boulevard Ouest, CS 82019
25050 Besançon Cedex
By Car
From the A36 motorway, take the Besançon Ouest exit. Micropolis has nearby parking, with disabled parking at the Main and Mouras entrances. The Saint-Ferjeux and Mouras entrances close after 9 PM on late opening nights.
By Public Transport
Ginko network: Micropolis and Malcombe stations. A Ginko Pass + fair entry is available for 7 € (round-trip transport included).
Prices
- Adult: 7 €
- Reduced rate (12-18 years old, students, job seekers, people with disabilities): 6 €
- Child (6-11 years old): 3 €
- Free for children under 6
- Family Pass (2 adults + 2 children 6-11 years old): 15 € (on-site only)
- Ginko subscribers: 5 € upon presentation of card
- Ginko-Fair Pass: 7 € (transport + entry)
- Free entry traditionally offered on Monday and Tuesday mornings until 1:30 PM
Usual Opening Hours
Every day from 10 AM to 8 PM. Late openings on Fridays and Saturdays until 11 PM, as well as mid-week depending on the edition.
Contact
Website: www.foire-comtoise.com
Phone: 03 81 41 08 09
Email: [email protected]
Online ticketing: billetterie.micropolis.fr
The Foire Comtoise: Over a Century of Tradition in Besançon
The Foire Comtoise is one of Besançon's oldest and most popular events. Born in 1923 as an agricultural fair dedicated to livestock farming and the promotion of the rural world, it has become over the decades an unmissable event, attracting more than 130,000 visitors each year to the Micropolis exhibition center.
Ten Days of Celebration and Discovery
The Foire Comtoise takes place every year in May over about ten days. It's a unique moment of entertainment, exchanges, discoveries, demonstrations, meetings, and tastings that brings together all generations. The 2026 edition was held over 10 days (one day longer than previous editions), with approximately 600 exhibitors spread across the various halls of Micropolis.
A Guest Country or Region Each Year
One of the great traditions of the Foire Comtoise is the invitation of a featured destination. Each edition highlights the culture, gastronomy, craftsmanship, and traditions of a country or region:
- 2024 — The United Kingdom in the spotlight
- 2025 — Cuba with the immersive show « Tierra Caliente »
- 2026 — Naples and the Mysteries of Pompeii (98th edition)
Fair Highlights
The Foire Comtoise offers a rich and varied program:
- Exhibitors — Hundreds of stands showcasing crafts, gastronomy, regional products, and innovations
- Agricultural Village — Spaces dedicated to the Comtois agricultural world (Comtois draft horses, sheep, poultry, rabbits, llamas)
- Funfair — Rides and attractions for all ages in the Open Air Area
- Shows — Cultural entertainment related to the guest destination (parades, concerts, equestrian show)
- Tastings — Regional and international culinary specialties
- Activities — Workshops, giant wooden games, pedal karts, children's face painting
A Major Economic Event
Beyond its festive dimension, the Foire Comtoise is a significant economic event for the region. It allows local businesses to gain recognition, artisans to showcase their expertise, and producers to promote products from the Franche-Comté region. It is also a meeting place for professionals and the general public.
Where does it take place — Foire Comtoise
Foire Comtoise in brief
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