Foire de Mars de Sainpuits

A tradition of over one hundred and eighty years

The Foire de Mars de Sainpuits is one of the oldest events in Puisaye-Forterre. Established by royal ordinance of Louis-Philippe on May 23, 1843, this fair has crossed the centuries while remaining true to its original spirit: bringing together the inhabitants of a rural area around exchange, commerce, and the equestrian world. Today, it is one of the last living witnesses of a rich culture of country fairs that once punctuated the peasant life of the Yonne.

A program rooted in tradition

The Foire de Mars de Sainpuits takes place every first Sunday of March with a program faithful to rural tradition:

• From 9 a.m.: Market opening with Puisaye wines, local crafts, and regional products. Honey, jams, cheeses, cured meats, and Yonne specialties are offered by regional producers.
• At 10 a.m.: Horse presentation and competition. This is the highlight of the morning, with breeders presenting their finest animals for judging.
• From 1 p.m.: Traditional meal by reservation, concluding the day in a friendly and festive atmosphere.

Horses at the heart of the fair

Like many fairs in Puisaye, the Foire de Mars de Sainpuits places the horse at the center of its festivities. The presentation and equestrian competition bring together breeders from all over the area who proudly exhibit their animals. This strong link between Puisaye and horses is a heritage of the traditional agriculture of these hedged lands where draft horses were essential for farm work.

Wines and terroir of Puisaye

Puisaye is a region with a dual identity: a land of hedges, ponds, and forests celebrated by Colette and Guido Crepax, but also a wine-growing region with recognized local wines. The Foire de Mars is an opportunity for local winegrowers and producers to showcase the flavors of the Puisaye region: white and red wines from the Val de Loire, charcuterie specialties, goat cheeses, honeys, and artisanal jams.

Sainpuits, a village in Puisaye-Forterre

The village of Sainpuits, nestled in the hedgerows of Puisaye-Forterre, halfway between Saint-Fargeau and Saint-Sauveur-en-Puisaye, benefits from a preserved natural environment, characteristic of this region that inspired the writer Colette. This land of traditions and memory perpetuates, through its March fair, a living link with the agricultural and commercial history of Puisaye.

A fair organized by and for the inhabitants

The Foire de Mars is organized by the Comité des fêtes de Sainpuits, an association of volunteers who have enthusiastically perpetuated the tradition for generations. The traditional midday meal, served by reservation, brings together convivial tables of visitors, residents, and exhibitors each year in a spirit of sharing and celebration of the Puisaye terroir.