Foire Sainte-Catherine d'Altkirch

More than five centuries of tradition

The Foire Sainte-Catherine d'Altkirch is an exceptional event due to its age: created at the beginning of the 16th century, it is among the oldest fairs still operating in Alsace. Each year, on the Thursday before November 25th — the day of Saint Catherine's feast — the small capital of Sundgau transforms into a huge open-air market. In 2025, the fair celebrated its 523rd edition, a living testament to an uninterrupted commercial and agricultural tradition for over five hundred years.

From peasant origins to the modern street market

Originally, the Foire Sainte-Catherine was a peasant market where inhabitants from Sundgau villages converged on Altkirch to sell their livestock, buy agricultural tools, and trade produce from the land. Over the centuries, the fair has evolved into a true giant street market where you can find everything: fruits and vegetables, textiles and clothing, home linens, toys, interior decoration, household items, and of course, the essential agricultural machinery that recalls the event's rural roots. The agricultural sector remains at the heart of the event, with the presence of equipment dealers, breeders, and local producers.

A market with 400 exhibitors

With nearly 400 exhibitors spread throughout the streets of the town center, the Foire Sainte-Catherine offers a considerable choice to visitors. The stalls extend across the entire pedestrian zone, from the Place de la Halle au Blé to the shopping streets, creating a particularly pleasant walking route. Local Sundgau products — cured meats, cheeses, gingerbread, honey — are found alongside food stalls serving grilled sausages, manalas (St. Nicholas brioches in Alsace), crepes, and hot chocolate to warm up in late November.

The tradition of the Catherinettes

The Foire Sainte-Catherine perpetuates a deeply rooted tradition in Alsace: the celebration of the Catherinettes. On November 25th, the feast of Saint Catherine, patron saint of young unmarried women, women aged 25 who are still single are honored. They wear extravagant hats, often in shades of green and yellow, handcrafted, a joyful tradition that adds a festive and colorful touch to the market atmosphere. This popular custom, combined with the market ambiance, makes the fair a unique moment of conviviality.

Sundgau celebrates

The Foire Sainte-Catherine is more than just a market: it is an identity event for all of Sundgau, this hilly region in southern Alsace. The approximately 15,000 visitors who flock to the streets of Altkirch each year attest to the Sundgauvians' attachment to this centuries-old event. Musical entertainment, craft demonstrations, and contests punctuate the day, transforming the capital of Sundgau into a bustling city from 8 am to 6 pm. The fair is also an opportunity to discover Altkirch, its architectural heritage, its Romanesque church, and its picturesque streets perched on a promontory overlooking the Ill river.