Les Absinthiades
Gastronomic and heritage festival dedicated to absinthe in Pontarlier
2026
About Les Absinthiades
Les Absinthiades — edition 2026
24th Absinthiades — 2026 Edition
The Absinthiades return on October 3rd and 4th, 2026, in Pontarlier (with a launch on Friday, October 2nd, for the professional jury competition). The Association of Friends of the Pontarlier Museum is organizing the absinthe tasting competition with three juries (professional, public, and VIP), the collectors' fair at the Théâtre Bernard Blier, book signings with authors and historians of absinthe, an "Absinthe and Artists" exhibition at the Chapelle des Annonciades, and the opening of several partner distilleries to the public, connected by free shuttles.
New this year: the creation of a collective absinthe, the "24th Absinthiades Special Cuvée," brought together by eight partner distilleries. The Pontarlier Municipal Museum will host a lecture on Saturday afternoon and remains free to enter all weekend.
Highlights Les Absinthiades 2026
- 24th edition of Les Absinthiades
- Best absinthe competition of the year
- Collector's and artisans' fair
- Distillery tours and tastings
- Municipal museum free admission
Programme Les Absinthiades 2026
Friday, October 2nd, 2026
- 8:00 PM–10:00 PM — Absinthe tasting competition, professional jury · Théâtre Blier, salle Toussaint Louverture
Saturday, October 3rd, 2026
- 8:00 AM–7:00 PM — Distillerie Guy open to the public · Pontarlier
- 10:00 AM–12:30 AM — Distillerie Hély & Sommier, absinthe bar open · Pontarlier
- 10:00 AM–6:00 PM — Distillerie Montrieux open to the public · Pontarlier
- 10:00 AM–6:00 PM — Distilleries Aymonier, Bourgeois, and Marguet Champreux open · Les Fourgs, Arçon, Les Granges-Narboz
- 10:00 AM–6:00 PM — Absinthe collectors' fair (buying and selling), admission €5 (€4 for Friends of the Museum) · Théâtre Blier, salle Toussaint Louverture
- 10:00 AM–6:00 PM — "Absinthe and Artists" exhibition (movie posters, tribute to Charlie Chaplin) · Chapelle des Annonciades
- Book signings with Marie-Claude Delahaye, Patrick and Quentin Roussel, Corinne Chuard, Patrick Bondallaz, Nicolas Sjöstedt, and Laura Chaplin · Théâtre Blier, salle Toussaint Louverture
- Artisan stalls (illustrator, glass engraving, cutlery, collectors, Bourbaki association) · Théâtre Blier, salle Toussaint Louverture
- Culinary discoveries with P'tit Biscuit (absinthe-flavored chocolates, ice cream, and macarons) and at partner restaurants · Théâtre Blier, salle Toussaint Louverture
- Free hourly shuttles from Théâtre Bernard Blier, last departure at 5:00 PM
- Light refreshments available · Théâtre Bernard Blier
- 2:30 PM — Lecture: "From advertising posters to great pictorial works, the Green Fairy inspires," reservations recommended at 03 81 38 82 16 · Musée de Pontarlier (free admission all weekend)
- 4:00 PM–6:00 PM — Absinthe tasting competition, public jury · Théâtre Blier, salle Toussaint Louverture
Sunday, October 4th, 2026
- 10:00 AM–6:00 PM — Distillerie Hély & Sommier, absinthe bar open · Pontarlier
- 10:00 AM–6:00 PM — Distillerie Montrieux open to the public · Pontarlier
- 10:00 AM–6:00 PM — Distilleries Aymonier, Bourgeois, and Marguet Champreux open · Les Fourgs, Arçon, Les Granges-Narboz
- 10:00 AM–6:00 PM — Absinthe collectors' fair (buying and selling), admission €5 (€4 for Friends of the Museum) · Théâtre Blier, salle Toussaint Louverture
- 10:00 AM–6:00 PM — "Absinthe and Artists" exhibition · Chapelle des Annonciades
- 10:30 AM–12:30 PM — Absinthe tasting competition, VIP jury · Théâtre Blier, salle Toussaint Louverture
New for 2026: creation of a collective absinthe, the "24th Absinthiades Special Cuvée," by the Aymonier, Bourgeois, Guy, Hély & Sommier, Le Loutron Libre, Les Fils d'Émile Pernot, Marguet Champreux, and Montrieux distilleries. Program is non-exhaustive and subject to change (source: official brochure).
Prices Les Absinthiades 2026
Practical information — Les Absinthiades
Access
By car: Pontarlier is accessible via the RN57 from Besançon (approx. 1 hour). Free parking in the town center.
By train: Pontarlier station, served by TER from Besançon.
Venues
Les Absinthiades take place in Pontarlier town center: municipal museum, exhibition halls, squares, and regional distilleries.
Prices
Admission to the collector's fair: €5. Museum free admission. Tastings and workshops according to displayed prices.
Contact
- Association des Amis du Musée de Pontarlier (ADMP)
- Website: www.admdp.com
Les Absinthiades: The Green Fairy Honored in Pontarlier
Since 2001, Les Absinthiades has celebrated the unique heritage of absinthe in Pontarlier, the historic capital of this legendary drink, every autumn. Organized by the Association des Amis du Musée de Pontarlier (ADMP), these festive days are a must-attend event for enthusiasts, collectors, and the curious eager to discover the world of the green fairy.
The Best Absinthe Competition
A highlight of Les Absinthiades, the competition for the best absinthe of the year brings together local and international distilleries—French, Swiss, German, Italian—whose absinthes are judged by three juries: a professional jury composed of distillers, a VIP jury of elected officials and personalities, and a popular jury open to the public. The results are announced at a festive ceremony crowning the best vintages.
A Collector's and Artisans' Fair
The collector's fair for absinthe and aniseed drinks is one of the most anticipated events. Antique dealers, collectors, and enthusiasts display absinthe fountains, spoons, vintage advertising posters, and rare objects related to the history of the green fairy. Artisans also offer their creations: glass engraving, cutlery, tattoos, and merchandise related to absinthe.
Gastronomy and Know-How
Les Absinthiades highlight the gastronomic know-how associated with absinthe: chocolates, ice creams, macarons, pastries, and dishes flavored with absinthe are offered by partner artisans and restaurants. Distillery tours in the region allow visitors to discover the secrets of making Pontarlier absinthe, protected by a Geographical Indication (GI). The Pontarlier municipal museum, with free admission all weekend, traces the economic, sociological, and cultural epic of absinthe.
A Heritage and Festive Event
Beyond gastronomy, Les Absinthiades is a celebration of Pontarlier's historical and cultural heritage. The town, which had over 25 distilleries at the beginning of the 20th century, was the world capital of absinthe before its ban in 1915. The revival of this drink since 2001 is celebrated every year with pride and conviviality, attracting over 5,000 visitors from France and abroad.
Where does it take place — Les Absinthiades
Les Absinthiades in brief
Other festivals near Pontarlier
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