Foire de Saint-Étienne
Edition 2026 Gastronomy Local Produce Innovation

Foire de Saint-Étienne

The largest economic fair in the Loire region since 1949

Saint-Étienne — Loire (42) Since 1949
Tickets →
Dates 18 Sep — 28 Sep 2026
Location Saint-Étienne (42)
Prices 0.00€ — 5.00€
Status Confirmed

About Foire de Saint-Étienne

Created in 1949, the Foire de Saint-Étienne is the unmissable economic event of the back-to-school season in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region. Every year in September, for 11 days, the Parc Expo in Saint-Étienne hosts around 250 exhibitors and nearly 80,000 visitors around four main areas: Home & Garden, Know-How Village, Tourism/Sport/Leisure, and Fashion/Beauty/Wellness. More than half of the exhibitors come from the Loire department, and a large majority from the entire region, in the sectors of craftsmanship, gastronomy, local products, and innovation. A territorial, friendly, and festive event, the Fair is a place for expression and encounters, playing a major role in the social and economic life of the Saint-Étienne basin. Each edition highlights a guest country through an immersive exhibition of nearly 1,000 m², accompanied by cultural activities, tastings, and shows. The Halle Gourmande and the Guinguette space celebrate the region's producers, winemakers, cheesemakers, brewers, and food artisans.

The Foire de Saint-Étienne: an economically rooted regional event

Since its first edition in 1949, the Foire de Saint-Étienne has established itself as the unmissable back-to-school event in the Loire and Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes regions. Founded by a group of Saint-Étienne merchants, this economic fair first took place on the Cours Fauriel before moving to the Plaine-Achille in 1951, and then settling permanently at the Parc Expo, boulevard Jules Janin, where it now spans several exhibition halls.

A complete overview of daily life

With around 250 exhibitors spread across four main areas — Home & Garden, Know-How Village, Tourism/Sport/Leisure, and Fashion/Beauty/Wellness — the Foire de Saint-Étienne is the largest temporary shopping space in the region. It offers a diverse range of products covering outdoor living, home equipment, mobility, leisure, well-being, culture, and gastronomy.

Gastronomy and local products at the heart of the event

The Halle Gourmande, which has been tripled in size in recent years, and the new Guinguette space highlight the region's producers, winemakers, cheesemakers, brewers, and food artisans. These tasting and culinary animation areas provide food professionals with a platform to showcase their regional expertise. More than half of the exhibitors come from the Loire department, and a large majority from the entire Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region.

A guest country each year

Each edition of the Fair highlights a guest country through an immersive exhibition of approximately 1,000 m². After the Pacific Islands in 2023 and Japan in 2024, it was Ireland that resonated with its traditions during the 2025 edition, with its Celtic legends, fantasy worlds, and musical entertainment.

The Know-How Village

The Know-How Village showcases the region's artisans and professionals, with a focus on local talent. Art craftsmen, creators, designers, and innovators present their productions, ranging from ceramics to textiles, furniture, and connected objects. This space embodies the identity of Saint-Étienne, a UNESCO City of Design, by highlighting the creativity and know-how of the Saint-Étienne basin.

A friendly and festive fair

Beyond its commercial aspect, the Foire de Saint-Étienne is a true popular festival. Entertainment for all audiences, shows, evening events, concerts, tastings, and workshops punctuate the 11 days of the event. The late-night openings on Tuesdays and Fridays offer a festive atmosphere extended until 10 p.m., with free entry from 6 p.m. onwards.

Foire de Saint-Étienne — edition 2026

The 77th edition of the Saint-Étienne Fair will be held from September 18 to 28, 2026, at Parc Expo Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes. For 11 days, the largest economic fair in the Loire region will bring together more than 250 exhibitors covering home, garden, gastronomy, local products, fashion, well-being, leisure, and mobility. The guest country for this edition is Thailand, celebrated through an immersive exhibition titled « Thailand, in search of the Emerald Buddha ». The 2026 edition inaugurates two new universes (Automobile & Mobility and Sports/Leisure/Tourism) and a third festive evening.

77th edition — From September 18 to 28, 2026

The 77th edition of the Saint-Étienne Fair is confirmed from September 18 to 28, 2026, at Parc Expo Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, boulevard Jules Janin. An unmissable event for the economic back-to-school season in the Loire, the fair will once again bring together more than 250 exhibitors and tens of thousands of visitors for 11 days.

An expanded edition: six thematic universes

The 2026 edition rethinks the visitor journey and expands the offering to six major universes: Home & Garden; Shopping, Decoration, Beauty & Well-being; the Gourmet Hall; Services & Communities; and two new poles inaugurated this year — Automobile & Mobility on one hand, Sports, Leisure & Tourism on the other. The promotion of the Ligérien territory remains at the heart of the event with the « Made in Loire » market, the artisans' village, and an area dedicated to commerce and eco-territory.

Thailand, guest country 2026

After the Pacific Islands (2023), Japan (2024), and Ireland (2025), Thailand is honored in 2026. An immersive exhibition, « Thailand, in search of the Emerald Buddha », plunges visitors into Thai culture, traditions, and imagination, accompanied by animations, tastings, and shows.

Gastronomy and local products

The Gourmet Hall and the Guinguette area continue to highlight producers, winemakers, cheesemakers, brewers, and taste artisans from the Loire and Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes. More than half of the exhibitors come from the Loire and a large majority from the entire region.

Animations and evening events

Three festive evening events punctuate the 2026 edition, with a grand opening family evening on Friday, September 18, followed by evening events on Tuesday, September 22, and Friday, September 25. The detailed program of animations, shows, and tastings, as well as ticketing, will be available on the official website foiredesaintetienne.com closer to the event.

Programme Foire de Saint-Étienne 2026

Guest Country 2026 — Thailand

Immersive exhibition « Thailand, in search of the Emerald Buddha »: Thai culture, traditions, crafts, and animations.

The six universes of the fair

  • Home & Garden — landscaping, equipment, decoration, furniture, outdoor
  • Shopping, Decoration, Beauty & Well-being — fashion, treatments, well-being
  • Gourmet Hall — producers, winemakers, cheesemakers, brewers, taste artisans
  • Services & Communities
  • Automobile & Mobility (new pole 2026)
  • Sports, Leisure & Tourism (new pole 2026)

Ligérien territory

  • « Made in Loire » Market
  • Artisans' Village
  • Commerce and eco-territory area

Evening events 2026

  • Friday, September 18 — grand opening family evening
  • Tuesday, September 22
  • Friday, September 25

The full program of animations, shows, and tastings will be unveiled on foiredesaintetienne.com closer to the event.

Highlights Foire de Saint-Étienne 2026

  • 77th edition of the largest economic fair in the Loire (since 1949)
  • Guest country 2026: Thailand — immersive exhibition « in search of the Emerald Buddha »
  • Two new universes: Automobile & Mobility, and Sports/Leisure/Tourism
  • Three festive evening events (September 18, 22, and 25)
  • More than 250 exhibitors over 11 days

Prices Foire de Saint-Étienne 2026

Prices to be confirmed. Previous edition: full price €5 on-site, €4 online. Reduced price €3. Free for children under 8. Free entry during late-night openings from 6 p.m.

Practical information — Foire de Saint-Étienne

Practical Information

Location

Parc Expo Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
31 boulevard Jules Janin — Allée des Olympiades
42000 Saint-Étienne

Opening Hours

  • Monday to Friday: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
  • Saturday and Sunday: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
  • Late nights (Tuesday and Friday): open until 10 p.m. — free entry for everyone from 6 p.m.

Prices

  • Full price on-site: €5
  • Full price online: €4
  • Reduced price: €3 (children aged 8 to 12, people with disabilities)
  • Free admission: children under 8 accompanied by an adult
  • Online presale: -50% (valid up to 4 days before opening)
  • School groups: €1 per student, free for accompanying teachers
  • Works councils and groups (minimum 20 people): €3

Access

By car: From the A72 motorway (Lyon–Saint-Étienne), take exit n°14 (La Talaudière – Stade Geoffroy Guichard). Follow signs for Parc Expo. 4 visitor parking lots with over 280 spaces in the immediate vicinity, plus 3 parking lots within a 10-minute walk: Zénith Parking (1,200 spaces), Sommet Parking (56 spaces), and Treyve Parking (155 spaces).

By tram: STAS network, stop near the Parc Expo. You can park at the La Terrasse park-and-ride (A72 exit n°11) and take the tram to reach the site in 10 minutes.

By train: Saint-Étienne Châteaucreux station (TGV from Paris via Lyon in about 3 hours, TER from Lyon in 50 minutes). The Parc Expo is accessible by tram or bus from the station.

Contact

Phone: 04 77 45 55 45
Website: foiredesaintetienne.com

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Where does it take place — Foire de Saint-Étienne

Parc Expo Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes

31 boulevard Jules Janin, 42000 Saint-Étienne

Contact Foire de Saint-Étienne

Tel
+33 4 77 45 55 45

Foire de Saint-Étienne in brief

Gastronomy Local Produce Innovation Design Crafts Loire

History of Foire de Saint-Étienne