Les Tersons Aubrac
The festival of fattened Easter calves in Pierrefort
About Tersons Aubrac
Les Tersons Aubrac, the festival of fattened Easter calves, perpetuates an ancestral tradition from Cantal every year in Pierrefort. Two weeks before Easter, this village located at the crossroads of Aubrac and the Monts du Cantal, on the banks of the Truyère gorges, celebrates the Aubrac breed and the quality products derived from it. On the program: exhibition of Aubrac cows at the fairgrounds and auction, solemn mass animated by "cabrettes" and accordions, parade of gastronomic brotherhoods, large market of flavors and crafts, farm and cheese dairy visits, dinner dance, musical and folk entertainment, and an area dedicated to children with a mini-farm and traditional games. Organized by the Tersons association with the support of the municipality and the inter-municipal community, this festival brings together about forty volunteers and attracts several thousand visitors each year around the beautiful wheat-colored cow with made-up eyes.
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Les Tersons Aubrac: The Ancestral Festival of Fattened Easter Calves
Every year, two weeks before Easter, the small town of Pierrefort in Cantal transforms into a showcase for the Aubrac breed and the Cantalian terroir. Les Tersons Aubrac, the festival of fattened Easter calves, perpetuates an ancestral agricultural tradition: the parade and sale of the finest animals fattened for the Easter holidays. At the crossroads of Aubrac and the Monts du Cantal, on the banks of the Truyère gorges, Pierrefort welcomes thousands of visitors for a whole weekend to celebrate this emblematic cow with its wheat-colored coat and carefully made-up eyes.
A Tradition Revived Through Past Images
Photographs from the 1950s, taken by the mayor at the time, Roger Besse, bear witness to this gathering in the streets of Pierrefort. It was from these images that the idea of reviving this tradition germinated. In 1996, a first trial run was organized, accompanied by good media coverage and the presence of the Toques d'Auvergne. It was a success, and the festival became a permanent fixture on the Cantalian calendar. In a quarter of a century, Les Tersons Aubrac has become an unmissable event, supported by about forty volunteers and the municipality and inter-municipal community. The tradition of fattened Easter calves, still deeply rooted in the region, thus finds a festive moment each year to express itself fully.
Friday: Opening of the Festivities
The festivities begin on Friday evening with a concert at the Pierrefort church, setting the tone for a weekend of conviviality and heritage. Visitors in motorhomes are welcomed in a dedicated area, reflecting the loyalty of an audience that sometimes travels from afar for this spring event.
Saturday: Discoveries and Traditional Banquet
Saturday morning offers a choice of activities in the heart of the terroir. Cheese dairy visits allow visitors to discover the traditional making of Cantal cheese with tasting. A hike of about 7 km takes walkers to discover the local landscapes and built heritage, punctuated by a tasting of brioche and bread. A "boules carrées" competition, a traditional Cantalian game, livens up the morning. In the afternoon, visits to Aubrac breeding farms allow visitors to get close to the animals and understand the work of the breeders, followed by a country snack. The highlight of Saturday remains the traditional Tersons banquet, a dinner dance organized at the Pierrefort animation hall, enlivened by regional orchestras. Reservations are mandatory for this popular festive evening.
Sunday: The Big Day of the Festival
Sunday is the main day of Les Tersons Aubrac. The morning opens with a solemn mass animated by "cabrettes" and accordions, emblematic instruments of Auvergne. This is followed by the official inauguration in the presence of gastronomic brotherhoods, with the traditional blessing of the bulls and inductions. At the fairgrounds, about thirty Aubrac breed animals are presented during the animal exhibition and competition, with the finest specimens being awarded prizes by category. The auction is a key and highly anticipated moment of the day. At the same time, a large market of flavors and crafts takes over the village streets with local producers. Culinary demonstrations, grilled tastings, and musical entertainment with folk groups and bands liven up the entire day. Children have a dedicated area with a mini-farm, traditional games, and a pedal tractor circuit. Exhibitions of old cars and old fire trucks complete the festive program. Entry is free on Sunday, making Les Tersons a festival accessible to all.
Tersons Aubrac — edition 2026
26th edition of Les Tersons Aubrac in Pierrefort. A festive weekend around the Aubrac breed, two weeks before Easter, with a concert, farm and cheese dairy visits, a hike, a dinner dance, an animal exhibition at the fairgrounds, an auction, a carnival parade, a large market of flavors, a mass animated by "cabrettes" and accordions, musical entertainment, and a children's area.
26th Edition of Les Tersons Aubrac - 2026 Edition
The 26th edition of Les Tersons Aubrac will take place from Friday, March 20 to Sunday, March 22, 2026 in Pierrefort. Two weeks before Easter, the Cantalian village will once again welcome lovers of local produce, breeders, and the curious for a weekend of celebration around the Aubrac breed and pastoral traditions.
On Friday, March 20, the festivities will open with a concert. Saturday, March 21 will offer visits to cheese dairies and Aubrac breeding farms, a hike, and the traditional dinner dance at the animation hall. Sunday, March 22, the main day of the festival, will bring together an animal exhibition and auction at the fairgrounds, a surprising carnival parade, the grand market of flavors and crafts, the solemn mass animated by "cabrettes" and accordions, and numerous activities for all ages.
Programme Tersons Aubrac 2026
Friday, March 20, 2026
- Evening: Opening concert at Pierrefort Church
Saturday, March 21, 2026
- Morning: Cheese dairy visits with Cantal cheese tasting
- Morning: 7 km hike to discover the landscapes and built heritage
- Morning: "Boules carrées" competition
- Afternoon: Visits to Aubrac breeding farms with snack
- 7:30 PM: Traditional Tersons banquet at the animation hall, dinner dance (mandatory reservation)
Sunday, March 22, 2026
- 10:15 AM: Solemn mass animated by "cabrettes" and accordions
- Morning: Official inauguration in the presence of gastronomic brotherhoods, blessing of the bulls, inductions
- All Day: Animal exhibition at the fairgrounds, competition by category, and auction
- All Day: Carnival parade
- All Day: Grand market of flavors and crafts
- All Day: Culinary demonstrations and grilled tastings
- All Day: Musical and folk entertainment
- All Day: Children's area: mini-farm, traditional games, pedal tractor circuit, pony rides
- All Day: Exhibitions of old cars and old fire trucks
Highlights Tersons Aubrac 2026
- 26th edition of Les Tersons Aubrac
- Exhibition of about thirty Aubrac cows at the fairgrounds and auction
- Surprising carnival parade
- Solemn mass animated by "cabrettes" and accordions
- Grand market of flavors and crafts
- Traditional banquet with dinner dance on Saturday evening
- Visits to cheese dairies and Aubrac breeding farms
- Discovery hike of the heritage
- Children's area with mini-farm and traditional games
- Screening of Roger Besse's film on daily life in Pierrefort in the 1950s-60s
Prices Tersons Aubrac 2026
Practical information — Tersons Aubrac
Practical Information
Access
Pierrefort is located in the southeast of Cantal (15), in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, about 25 minutes from the A75 motorway. From Saint-Flour (30 km), follow the D990 then the D40 towards Pierrefort. From Aurillac (75 km), take the D920 then the D990.
Location
The events take place in the center of Pierrefort and at the "foirail" (fairgrounds) for the animal exhibition and auction. The market of flavors takes over the village streets. The Saturday evening banquet takes place at the Pierrefort animation hall.
Parking
Parking lots are available on the outskirts of the village. A motorhome service area is available nearby. It is advisable to arrive early, especially on Sunday morning.
Prices
Entry to the festival is free on Sunday. The Friday evening and Saturday events (farm visits, cheese dairies, hike, dinner dance) are subject to a charge and require prior reservation. The traditional Saturday evening banquet requires prior reservation with the tourist office.
Food
The Sunday market of flavors allows you to eat on-site with local products: Aubrac meat, cheeses, charcuterie, and local specialties. Grilled tastings are offered throughout the day.
Family
A children's area is set up on Sunday with a mini-farm, traditional games, and a pedal tractor circuit. Pony rides are also offered. The festival is very family-friendly and accessible to all ages.
Contact
- Phone: 04 71 23 38 04
- Email: [email protected]
- Address: Bureau de tourisme du Pays de Pierrefort, 29 avenue Georges Pompidou, 15230 Pierrefort
Tips
- Book in advance for the Saturday evening dinner dance, tickets sell out quickly.
- Bring warm clothing, spring in the Cantal mountains can be cool.
- Arrive early on Sunday to enjoy the animated mass and the opening of the market.
- Saturday farm and cheese dairy visits are by registration only.
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Travel to this festival
Book your train or bus to reach Tersons Aubrac at the best price.
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Where does it take place — Tersons Aubrac
Bourg de Pierrefort et Foirail
Centre-bourg et Foirail, 15230 Pierrefort