Foire Comtoise

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.

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)

• 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

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