Les Castagnades – Chestnut Festivals in Ardèche

The Castagnades are not just one single event: eleven villages within the Monts d'Ardèche Regional Nature Park each host their own celebration on specific dates between October 10 and November 8, 2026. Here is the village-by-village schedule, in chronological order.

Saturday, October 10 and Sunday, October 11, 2026 — Saint-Pierreville

The detailed schedule has not yet been released. The Ardèche Hautes Vallées Tourist Office has announced:

• Saturday — Gourmet hike: approximately 7 km route with a 340 m elevation gain, featuring tastings of chestnut-based dishes and Ardèche wines along the way, meetings with chestnut growers, and a hot meal and dessert at the finish. Ticketing announced, but not yet open.
• Market featuring producers and artisans showcasing chestnuts and autumn products.
• Roasted chestnuts on-site, soups, crêpes, and seasonal specialties.
• Demonstrations of traditional chestnut-related crafts and skills.
• Themed walks, exhibitions, performances, and live music.
• Workshops and activities for children.
• Featured variety: the comballe.

Free entry, except for the gourmet hike. Information: Ardèche Hautes Vallées Tourist Office, 04 75 64 80 97.

Sunday, October 11, 2026 — Jaujac

The detailed program is yet to be published. The festival takes place on the main square, bringing together chestnut growers, artisans, artists, restaurateurs, and locals.

Information: Sources et Volcans Tourist Office, 04 75 36 46 26. Exhibitor registration: Jaujac Town Hall, 04 75 93 22 28.

Friday, October 16 to Sunday, October 18, 2026 — Privas

Friday, October 16

• From 6:00 PM — Marking of the 900 kg of chestnuts, with the Festival Committee · Espace Ouvèze, boulevard de Paste

Saturday, October 17

• From 11:00 AM — Distribution of AOP Ardèche roasted chestnuts and primeur Gamay wine by the Festival Committee · city center
• 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM — Visit to a chestnut grove in Coux
• From 2:00 PM — Jury prize for the "Gourmet Chestnut Challenge," theme: "Birthday cake: celebrate the AOP Ardèche chestnut"
• From 2:30 PM — Small market of chestnut growers, featuring the Park's 2026 theme celebrating 20 years of the AOP Ardèche chestnut, and the Brotherhoods' village · place de l'Hôtel de Ville
• From 3:30 PM — Public prize for the "Gourmet Chestnut Challenge"
• 4:30 PM — Results of the "Gourmet Chestnut Challenge," followed by the awards ceremony
• 5:15 PM — Musical parade of the Brotherhoods with the Conservatory, heading to the chapelle des Récollets
• 5:30 PM — Induction of a new member into the Chestnut Brotherhood · chapelle des Récollets
• 6:30 PM — Tasting of AOP Ardèche roasted chestnuts · place du Foiral

Additional entertainment on the place de l'Hôtel de Ville is yet to be confirmed by the organizer.

Sunday, October 18

• 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM — Guided hikes · boulodrome, place du Champ de Mars. Information and registration with the Club des Randonneurs Vivarois
• 9:00 AM to 18:00 PM — Large market of producers and artisans, craft demonstrations, sale of "criquettes" by the Kiwanis Privas Rhône Vallées to benefit sick children, and the "Twin Cities" village hosted by the Privas twinning committee · city center streets and squares
• 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM — 11th World Championship of the Ardéchoise Crique, organized by the Kiwanis Privas Rhône Vallées · place de l'Hôtel de Ville
• From 5:00 PM — Championship awards ceremony

All weekend: "Castagnades – AOP Ardèche Chestnut" stand by the Monts d'Ardèche Regional Nature Park and the Interprofessional Committee for the Ardèche Chestnut (CICA).

Information: Cœur d'Ardèche Tourist Office 04 75 20 81 81, Privas Town Hall 04 75 64 52 30.

Saturday, October 17 and Sunday, October 18, 2026 — Joyeuse

Organized by the Salon Gourmand et Artisanal association, in partnership with the town of Joyeuse and the Pays Beaume-Drobie community of municipalities. Events take place in the historic center.

Both days, from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM

• Local producers' and artisans' market, from place du Chazeau to place de la Recluse · 40 to 50 exhibitors expected
• Beaume-Drobie community of municipalities stand · church square
• "Castagnades – AOP Ardèche Chestnut" stand by the Monts d'Ardèche Regional Nature Park and the CICA · place du Chazeau
• Castanea, Ardèche chestnut discovery center: museum space and shop, free entry from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM and 2:30 PM to 6:00 PM · church square
• Artisan demonstrations, including a stone carver · castle courtyard
• Literary space: conferences and book signings by the Cercle des Auteurs Ardéchois, exhibitions · castle
• Caricature and humor drawing space: exhibition, self-guided tour, and presence of caricaturists, by the Association du Château · castle
• Theatrical tour of the old town by the CPPJ association · departure from place de la Recluse at 10:00 AM
• Tour of the church by the AREJ association
• Wooden games · square François André
• Face painting stand · square François André
• CycloTour for wood, spinning top making · place de la Recluse
• Town crier
• Les Pâtes au Gaz, burlesque music and songs — Saturday and Sunday
• Discovery of the Pôle d'Innovation des Métiers d'Art (POLINNO) with the Beaume-Drobie community of municipalities: the FabLab, the Micro-Folie, and the Arts & Crafts incubator

Saturday, October 17

• Trio Baïritz — medieval music and juggling
• From 3:30 PM — Parade of brotherhoods and induction ceremony
• Gourmet Chestnut Challenge organized by the Ardèche Chestnut Brotherhood
• 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM — Roasted chestnuts · place de la Peyre
• 6:00 PM — Concert by Brûume, vocal and instrumental compositions of traditional music and songs from Asturias, Bulgaria, and Ireland · church
• 9:00 PM — Occitan folk dance with the AGARAM association · Rosières multi-purpose hall
• Window display game with village merchants and artisans

Sunday, October 18

• Ze Fanfardéon — brass band
• 4:00 PM — Concert by the Amis de Joyeuse · church
• 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM — Roasted chestnuts · place de la Peyre
• 6:00 PM — Graines de Chœur choir · church

Dining: associative refreshment bar on place de la Peyre (Un rayon Social association), cheese and charcuterie boards on place du Chazeau, food trucks and fast food options at the market, and village restaurants.

Information: Philippe Vimeux 06 82 28 24 10, [email protected] · Cévennes d'Ardèche Tourist Office 04 75 37 24 48.

Sunday, October 18, 2026 — Désaignes, 37th Chestnut Fair

The festivities take place in the medieval alleyways and kick off on Saturday. This year, the focus is on trees and wood.

Saturday, October 17

• 2:00 PM — Guided hike on the chestnut grove discovery trail · registration and departure at the Town Hall square, voluntary contribution
• 4:30 PM — Guided tours of the village or the castle by the Friends of Old Désaignes, fee applies · departure from the castle cellar
• 6:00 PM — Marking the chestnuts for roasting, accompanied by a barrel organ, followed by soup and roasted chestnuts

Sunday, October 18

• 8:30 AM to 9:30 AM — Registration and drop-off at the school for the 'Gourmet Chestnut Challenge', 2026 theme: "Birthday cake: celebrate the Châtaigne d'Ardèche AOP"
• 10:00 AM — Guided walk: interpretation trail of the terraces and vineyard house, duration 1h30 · registration at the Fair Committee welcome stand, voluntary contribution
• 10:00 AM and 3:00 PM — Guided tours of the castle by the Friends of Old Désaignes, fee applies · departure from the castle cellar
• 11:00 AM — Inauguration of the Fair and prize-giving for the Gourmet Chestnut Challenge, in the presence of the Chestnut Brotherhood
• Noon — Lunch: 'bombine ardéchoise' (local potato stew) · cultural space, booking on-site the same day from 9:00 AM
• From 12:00 PM — Culinary demonstrations by chefs
• 5:00 PM — Chestnut festival raffle draw

All day Sunday

• Street music with "Musiquez-Vous"
• Event hosting by Frank Daumas
• Producers' market and bread baking in the traditional oven: chestnuts, apples, walnuts, cheeses, honey, jams, charcuterie · old village
• Castle-Museum, the Forge and the Clog Maker's Workshop · old village
• Grand fair market · place de la Bascule and montée des écoles
• Mushroom exhibition · multi-purpose hall
• Wooden games · castle esplanade
• Merry-go-rounds · boules court
• Apple pressing, roasted chestnuts in the giant roaster, refreshment bar
• "Castagnades – Châtaigne d'Ardèche AOP" stand by the Monts d'Ardèche Regional Park and the CICA

Information: town hall 04 75 06 61 49, [email protected], [email protected].

Thursday, October 22 to Saturday, October 24, 2026 — Saint-Laurent-les-Bains-Laval-d'Aurelle

Thursday, October 22

• Morning — Producers' market, with the "Castagnades – Châtaigne d'Ardèche AOP" stand by the Monts d'Ardèche Regional Park and the CICA
• Noon — Chestnut-themed lunch in various restaurants
• 3:00 PM — Guided tour of the Peyrou farm chestnut grove in Laval-d'Aurelle, themed around the "scientific flavors" of the 2026 Science Festival, with Isabelle and Pierre Thibault Louche, followed by a chestnut snack (cake, syrup, jam) · 5 € per person

Friday, October 23

• Evening — "Soup" dinner offered by the Le Ceycouleau association

Saturday, October 24

• Evening — Castagnades dinner organized by the Saint-Laurent-les-Bains festival committee, with roasted chestnuts in the evening

All week, from Tuesday to Friday, the restaurants La Vallée, Camping de Ceytrou, Le Chat Bleu, and L'Aiglon serve a chestnut-based menu: starter, main course, cheese, and dessert, 25 € per person.

Information: Montagne d'Ardèche Tourist Office, Saint-Laurent-les-Bains office, 04 66 46 69 94.

Saturday, October 24 and Sunday, October 25, 2026 — Antraigues, 33rd Castagnade of the Antraigues-Asperjoc Valleys

All weekend, from 10:00 AM

• Youth area: escape game and skill games
• Wooden spinning top turning with J. DO Denis
• Children's face painting by Mayan & Merveilles (Marianne Grazda)
• Welcome chalet of the Randamont association
• "Castagnades – Châtaigne d'Ardèche AOP" stand by the Monts d'Ardèche Regional Park and the CICA
• Local produce market
• Sale of fresh and roasted chestnuts
• Crêpes, refreshment bar, light snacks

Saturday, October 24

• 11:00 AM — Inauguration of the festival and celebration of the 20th anniversary of the Châtaigne d'Ardèche AOP · village square
• From 11:30 AM — Light snacks by the Randamont association · village square
• 2:00 PM — Folk dancing with the group Lous Pastourios
• 2:00 PM — Storytelling nap with Lisa Baissade
• 2:30 PM — "Chestnut grove discovery" walk with Ardèche Randonnées: 1h30 to 2h, medium difficulty, 3 €, free for children · departure from Maison de la Randonnée
• 5:00 PM — Pierre and his barrel organ, with Jean-Loup Rossi
• 6:00 PM — Concert by the St Andéol de Vals Choir · church
• From 6:00 PM — Ardéchois plates · village square

Sunday, October 25

• 9:00 AM — Free guided hike, 2h30 circuit, medium difficulty · departure from Maison de la Randonnée
• 10:00 AM — Gourmet Chestnut Challenge jury with the Châtaigne d'Ardèche Brotherhood
• 10:30 AM — Grafting demonstration by chestnut growers
• 11:30 AM — Pierre and his barrel organ, with Jean-Loup Rossi
• From 11:30 AM — Light snacks by the Randamont association · village square
• From 12:00 PM — Local produce lunch · Christine Sèvres village hall
• 1:00 PM — Parade by the Aubenas-Vals les Bains Harmony Band · village square
• 2:30 PM — Chestnut grove discovery walk with Ardèche Randonnées: 1h30 to 2h, medium difficulty, 3 €, free for children · departure from Maison de la Randonnée
• 3:00 PM — Parade of the Châtaigne d'Ardèche Brotherhood and friendly brotherhoods
• 4:00 PM — Raffle draw: meals at local restaurants and local produce hampers

Information: Maison de la Randonnée, [email protected], [email protected], 07 71 86 66 18.

Sunday, October 25, 2026 — Saint-André-Lachamp, Castagnade des Crouvelu.e.s

The smallest of the Parc's Castagnades. Featuring an artisan market, local producers' market, and free entertainment. The festivities kick off on Friday.

Friday, October 23

• 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM — Opening folk dance to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the AOP Châtaigne d'Ardèche · bar and soup available

Sunday, October 25

• 9:15 AM — Botanical hike to the 'forêt nourricière' (food forest), 7 km. You can also just visit the forest by parking at La Rochette; meet around 10:15 AM
• 9:30 AM — Village tour via the chestnut trail, 4.5 km, accessible with joëlettes. You can also just walk the trail, approx. 1 km
• 12:30 PM — Local produce lunch under a marquee · reservations highly recommended with Marie at 06 60 13 34 49
• 3:00 PM — Discussion on wildlife and flora observations in the food forest, with Léa (Frapna) and Halla, biodiversity officer for the community of communes
• 3:00 PM — International chestnut gathering competition, followed by the prize-giving ceremony
• 3:30 PM — 'Gourmet Chestnut' challenge with the Confrérie de la Châtaigne d'Ardèche
• 4:00 PM — 'Graines de chœur' choir performance · church
• 4:30 PM — Giant chestnut roast accompanied by the choir, and results of the gourmet challenge

All day Sunday, starting at 10:00 AM

• 'Castagnades – Châtaigne d'Ardèche AOP' stand by the Parc des Monts d'Ardèche and CICA
• 'Life and evolution of the food forest' stand: photos, films, and feedback from BTS students
• Craft demonstrations and workshops with local artisans: making chestnut baskets, hewing beams with an adze, and dyeing
• Live music
• Tree-climbing activities
• Donkey rides, afternoon only
• Wooden games
• Weighing of the village's finest pumpkin, with a gift basket to be won
• Face painting for children
• Refreshment stalls, savory and sweet food trucks

Information: Marie 06 60 13 34 49 · Cévennes d'Ardèche Tourist Office 04 75 37 24 48.

Sunday, October 25, 2026 — Chalencon

The detailed program has not yet been released. The medieval village, perched above the Eyrieux valley, will host a local producers' and craft market, outings, entertainment, and a chestnut roast.

Information: Cœur d'Ardèche Tourist Office, 04 75 58 19 72.

Saturday, October 31 and Sunday, November 1, 2026 — Vesseaux

The festival takes place in the old town, around the chestnut market hall.

Saturday, October 31

• From 9:30 AM — Self-guided hike in the chestnut grove, approx. 10 km on marked trails, refreshments on the route and a gourmet plate upon arrival · Church square. €10, €5 for children under 12, reservations recommended at 06 11 68 07 21
• 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM — Local producers' and artisans' market, sale of fresh and roasted chestnuts, snacks and drinks, 'Castagnades – Châtaigne d'Ardèche AOP' stand by the Parc des Monts d'Ardèche and CICA, featuring the Compagnons du Tour de France
• 5:30 PM — Concert by the Chœur d'hommes des Boutières from Le Cheylard, about 15 choristers, duration approx. 1 hour · Vesseaux church
• 7:30 PM — Aperitif and dance dinner with the Soizic Duo orchestra · Espace Séraphin Gimbert. €30 for adults, €15 for children under 12, free for under 3s, reservations recommended at 06 11 68 07 21 or 06 03 05 09 59

Sunday, November 1

• 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM — Local producers' and artisans' market, sale of fresh and roasted chestnuts, snacks and drinks, 'Castagnades – Châtaigne d'Ardèche AOP' stand by the Parc des Monts d'Ardèche and CICA, featuring the Compagnons du Tour de France
• Entertainment with the Free Country 07 association and the Harmonie Aubenas Vals – Deambul'a son, children's games
• 3:00 PM — Gourmet Chestnut challenge with the Confrérie de la Châtaigne d'Ardèche

Information: Pays d'Aubenas-Vals-Antraïgues Tourist Office, 04 75 89 02 03.

Saturday, November 7 and Sunday, November 8, 2026 — Joannas

The festival is held on the forecourt of the 12th-century castle. Free entertainment.

Saturday, November 7

• 10:00 AM — Opening of the producers' market
• 10:30 AM — Visit to a chestnut grove with a grafting demonstration
• 12:00 PM — Musical aperitif with Les Amusichoeurs · castle forecourt
• 2:30 PM — Screening · castle upper hall
• 5:00 PM — Concert by the Schola Cantharel vocal ensemble from Lablachère · church
• 6:30 PM — Tasting of new wine with songs
• 7:00 PM — Chestnut soups and cakes · castle

Sunday, November 8

• 10:00 AM — Opening of the producers' market
• 10:30 AM — Opening of the exhibition hosted by M-Syrphe Mi-Raisin: 'Prevention of risks related to ticks and processionary caterpillars'
• 10:30 AM — 'Chestnut cream and candied chestnuts' workshop led by Christophe Boulle
• 11:30 AM — Gourmet Chestnut challenge: theme 'Birthday cake: celebrate the Châtaigne d'Ardèche AOP', prize-giving for Joannas competitors
• 12:00 PM — Musical aperitif with Little Sam Blues Band · castle forecourt
• 2:30 PM — Visit to a chestnut grove with a grafting demonstration
• 4:00 PM — Prize-giving for the departmental final of the Gourmet Chestnut challenge, jury chaired by the Confrérie de la Châtaigne d'Ardèche
• 5:00 PM — Prize-giving for the International Chestnut Peeling Competition
• 6:00 PM — Closing of the Castagnades

Information: Bogues et Rustines association, [email protected] · Val de Ligne Tourist Office 04 75 89 33 30.

Throughout the season

• Gourmet Chestnut challenge — The Confrérie de la Châtaigne d'Ardèche invites amateur cooks to a culinary competition on the 2026 theme: 'Birthday cake: celebrate the Châtaigne d'Ardèche AOP'. Heats in several villages, departmental final in Joannas on November 8 · confrerie-chataigne.fr
• Castagnades Menus — Chefs and caterers serve menus featuring the Châtaigne d'Ardèche AOP throughout the festival period · addresses at castagnades.fr
• Saveurs savantes — The Fête de la science joins the Castagnades this year, notably in Saint-Laurent-les-Bains and Joyeuse
• Places to visit — La Maison du Châtaignier in Saint-Pierreville (04 75 64 80 97) and Castanea, the Châtaigne d'Ardèche discovery center in Joyeuse (04 75 39 90 66)