Méréville Cresson Fair and Festival

Méréville and its Cress: A Unique Gastronomic Heritage in Île-de-France

Méréville is a commune in southern Essonne, renowned for two exceptional treasures: its spring cress beds, which produce cress famous throughout France, and its Departmental Estate, one of the most beautiful landscaped parks in the region, certified Jardin Remarquable (Remarkable Garden). These two assets make Méréville a prime destination for nature and gastronomy lovers.

The Cresson Fair: Celebrating an Exceptional Product

Every spring, around Easter, the commune hosts the Méréville Cresson Fair, one of the most original gastronomic and festive events in Essonne. The fair takes over the château park and the streets of the town center, bringing together about forty exhibitors.

On the program for the Cresson Fair:

• Local producer stands with tastings of cress and local products from Essonne
• Themed exhibitions: vintage vehicles, old trades, local history
• Street entertainment: jugglers, artists, shows
• Funfair rides on the château esplanade
• Guided tours of the Méréville Estate and the cress beds
• Gastronomic stands with cress-based cuisine, regional dishes, and sweet treats

The Méréville Estate: A Remarkable Garden Open to Visitors

The Méréville Estate is a late 18th-century landscaped park, designed in the Anglo-Chinese style fashionable at the time. Acquired by the Department of Essonne, it has been certified a Jardin Remarquable since 2019. Its follies, bridges, artificial rocks, and river make it one of the finest examples of garden art from the Enlightenment period.

During the Cresson Fair, guided tours of the estate are organized, offering visitors a chance to discover this exceptional heritage, which is normally closed to the public outside of special events.

The Salon du Goût in September

In September, Méréville hosts the Salon du Goût des Cressonnières (Taste Fair of the Cress Growers), an event certified Site Remarquable du Goût. Under the 16th-century covered market, about thirty producers from across France exhibit their regional products. A guest chef, cooking workshops, tastings, and concerts complete this autumn gathering dedicated to gastronomy.

Méréville Cress: A Recognized Treasure

Méréville spring cress has been cultivated in cress beds fed by spring water from the Beauce plateau since the 19th century. Its reputation extends far beyond the borders of Essonne, and it has been recognized as a Site Remarquable du Goût in recognition of its heritage and gastronomic importance. The commune still has several active producers who carry on this tradition.