Patronal Festival of the Ploughmen of Cléré-du-Bois

A Living Tradition Since 1972

The Patronal Festival of the Ploughmen of Cléré-du-Bois was born in 1972 from the will of the inhabitants of this village in the Indre region to celebrate the agricultural world and perpetuate the tradition of ploughmen festivals, deeply rooted in French rural heritage. Organized by the association Les Laboureurs de Cléré-du-Bois, this event has endured through the decades without losing its authenticity or popularity.

Ploughmen Festivals, Intangible Heritage

Ploughmen festivals are a centuries-old tradition in many French regions. They pay homage to the workers of the land, their know-how, and their essential contribution to rural life. In Cléré-du-Bois, this tradition takes the form of a patronal festival that combines religious ceremonies, parades, and popular festivities.

The word "laboureur" historically designated the peasant who owned enough land and teams to plough his fields, a respected social status in rural communities of the Ancien Régime.

A Program Rooted in Tradition

The Festival of the Ploughmen traditionally takes place in March, when field work resumes after winter. The program includes:

• Patronal Mass: Religious celebration in honor of the patron saint of ploughmen
• Parade: Procession through the village streets, with members of the association in traditional attire
• Traditional Meal: Grand meal served in the village hall, bringing together residents and visitors around local Berry dishes
• Entertainment: Dance, music, and fun for the whole family

Cléré-du-Bois, a Village in the Châtillonnais

Cléré-du-Bois is a small commune in the Indre region, located in the Châtillonnais in Berry, near Châtillon-sur-Indre. This rural village is surrounded by agricultural land and forests, a landscape that explains its inhabitants' attachment to the peasant world and its traditions. The Festival of the Ploughmen helps maintain social cohesion in this commune and pass on the memory of the Berry rural world to younger generations.