Foire Sainte-Croix de Lessay
The oldest and largest fair in Normandy, a millennial event on the heath of Lessay
About Foire de Lessay
Foire Sainte-Croix de Lessay: a thousand years of Norman tradition
Founded around 1056 by the Benedictine monks of the Abbey Sainte-Trinité de Lessay, the Foire Sainte-Croix is the oldest fair in Normandy and one of the oldest in France. Located on the great heath of Lessay, this millennial fair has endured through the centuries without interruption, receiving its official confirmation from Louis XIV in 1671. Every year, on the second weekend of September, it attracts over 350,000 visitors over 32 hectares.
A major agricultural and commercial fair
More than 1,500 exhibitors take over the heath of Lessay for three days. The fair is organized into several sectors: agricultural machinery, livestock with presentations of cattle, horses, and sheep, nautical, housing and renewable energy, crafts, wines, and regional products. Livestock competitions and demonstrations of know-how punctuate the three days of the event.
The Allée des Rôtisseurs, emblem of the fair
The most emblematic attraction of the Foire de Lessay is undoubtedly the Allée des Rôtisseurs, a space dedicated to tasting local specialties prepared on-site. Andouilles de Vire, boudins, tripes, salt marsh lamb, and Norman cider are featured, perpetuating the gastronomic tradition of this fair where Norman terroir reigns supreme.
A living heritage
Part of the cultural heritage of Normandy, the Foire Sainte-Croix de Lessay is more than just a market. It is a meeting place and a place of conviviality where farmers, merchants, artisans, and visitors from all over France come together. The fair is held near the magnificent Romanesque Abbey of Lessay, whose foundation is intimately linked to that of the fair.
Foire de Lessay — edition 2026
The 969th Foire Sainte-Croix de Lessay will be held from Friday, September 11 to Sunday, September 13, 2026, on the Lessay moor. Three days of a thousand-year-old fair combining agriculture, livestock competitions, Norman gastronomy, a funfair, and traditions, with nearly 1,500 exhibitors from all over France.
Foire Sainte-Croix 2026 — 969th edition
The Foire Sainte-Croix de Lessay returns from September 11 to 13, 2026, to the large Lessay moor for its 969th edition, perpetuating a thousand-year-old agricultural and commercial tradition. Nearly 1,500 exhibitors will occupy the site, open from 8 AM to 7 PM on all three days.
A great celebration of the agricultural world
The fair is first and foremost a livestock event: horse, pony, and donkey market, presentation of sheep and goats, cattle competitions, canine and poultry sections, public milking in the early morning, and sheepdog demonstrations. Visitors will also find agricultural equipment, boating, housing, renewable energy sectors, as well as the aisles of traders and regional products.
The Allée des Rôtisseurs and the funfair
An emblem of the fair, the Allée des Rôtisseurs offers tastings of Norman specialties prepared on site. The funfair enlivens the site until 1 AM on Friday and Saturday, and until 9 PM on Sunday.
Programme Foire de Lessay 2026
Friday, September 11, 2026
- Livestock competitions and public milking in the early morning
- Horse, pony, and donkey market (morning) — foal sales by Cheval Normandie
- Fair open from 8 AM to 7 PM
- Funfair from 10 AM to 1 AM
Saturday, September 12, 2026
- Presentation and competitions for sheep and goats
- Cattle competitions, canine and poultry sections
- Fair open from 8 AM to 7 PM
- Funfair from 10 AM to 1 AM
Sunday, September 13, 2026
- Cattle competitions and sheepdog demonstrations
- Fair open from 8 AM to 7 PM
- Funfair from 10 AM to 9 PM
Throughout the three days: Allée des Rôtisseurs, traders' aisles, agricultural equipment, boating, housing, renewable energy, wine, and regional products sectors.
Highlights Foire de Lessay 2026
- Millennial fair since 1056
- Over 1,500 exhibitors on 32 hectares
- The Allée des Rôtisseurs
- Livestock competitions
Prices Foire de Lessay 2026
Practical information — Foire de Lessay
Access
By car : Lessay is located on the west coast of Cotentin (Manche, 50), accessible via the D900 from Coutances or the D2 from Saint-Lô. The fair is held on the Lessay heath, signposted from all directions.
Shuttles : shuttles are organized from the remote car parks.
Opening Hours
Fair open from 8 AM to 7 PM on all three days (Friday, Saturday, and Sunday). The funfair operates on Friday and Saturday from 10 AM to 1 AM, and on Sunday from 10 AM to 9 PM.
Prices
Admission: 3 € per person (valid for all three days). Free for children under 12 and for residents of Lessay. Free admission for everyone from 6 PM on Friday and Saturday, and from 5 PM on Sunday.
Contact
Lessay Town Fair Department (responsible Manon Poulain) — Phone: 02 33 76 58 82 — Email: [email protected] — Website: lessay.fr
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Where does it take place — Foire de Lessay
Lande de Lessay
La Lande de Lessay, 50430 Lessay