Gourmand'ici — Festival of Cuisine

A gourmet festival in the heart of the Villefranche-de-Rouergue bastide

Born from the desire to celebrate the gastronomic riches of West Aveyron, the Gourmand'ici festival has quickly become a must-attend event for the back-to-school season in Villefranche-de-Rouergue. Supported by the community of communes Bastides et Gorges de l'Aveyron and the town of Villefranche, this free event transforms the magnificent Place Notre-Dame into a grand market of flavors each year, bringing together producers, artisans, chefs, and food lovers.

Cook, Knead, Taste: a participatory festival

Gourmand'ici's motto is simple: "we cook, we knead, we taste!" The festival offers about twenty stands and workshops spread across the square, where visitors can learn to cook with local products. Tastings of honey, Aveyron veal, edible flowers, crêpe workshops, bike-powered smoothies, lacto-fermentation: each edition is full of taste discoveries and fun activities for the whole family.

A commitment to local and sustainable food

Beyond the gourmet celebration, Gourmand'ici carries a strong message in favor of local and sustainable food. The festival includes a Sustainable Food Forum bringing together producers, market gardeners, and players in the short supply chain. The locavore and low-carbon meals offered during the event concretely illustrate the possibility of enjoying delicious food while respecting the environment and the seasons. Conferences and round tables complement this educational and committed dimension.

Villefranche-de-Rouergue, the festival's heritage setting

The setting of the 13th-century royal bastide provides an exceptional backdrop for the festival. Place Notre-Dame, with its arcades and Gothic collegiate church, is a natural gathering place for this event that resonates with both architectural heritage and culinary heritage. Visitors can extend their discovery by strolling through the medieval streets, visiting the Chartreuse Saint-Sauveur, or enjoying the summer gourmet markets that liven up the town throughout the summer.