Rouffach en Fête

The spirit of the Alsatian Kilbe

For over forty years, Rouffach en Fête has been perpetuating the tradition of the Kilbe, the village patronal festival that once marked the rhythm of life in Alsatian communities. The Rouffach Football Club and its organizing committee, made up of long-time friends and passionate volunteers, welcome thousands of visitors every first weekend of August to share two days of popular and authentic festivities in this historic town in the Haut-Rhin.

The lumberjack competition, a spectacular tradition

One of the highlights of Rouffach en Fête is the lumberjack competition, a spectacular tradition that tests the skill and strength of participants. Chainsaw carving, precision cutting, and speed challenges follow one another throughout Saturday, attracting competitors from all over the region and an audience fascinated by the craftsmanship of these wood artisans. This discipline, which returned in 2024 after a twenty-two-year absence, perfectly embodies the spirit of renewed tradition that animates the festival.

Dances, orchestras, and fireworks

The evenings of Rouffach en Fête are all about music and dancing. On Saturday evening, a grand popular dance led by a renowned orchestra — such as Santa Esmeralda — gets visitors dancing in the Place de l'Église until the early hours. Access to the dance is free, in keeping with the generous spirit of the festival. The highlight of the weekend is the fireworks display, set off around 11 p.m., illuminating the rooftops of the old town and the surrounding vineyards in a grand finale.

Flea market and local gastronomy

On Sunday morning, a large flea market sets up around the Notre-Dame-de-l'Assomption church, attracting bargain hunters and strollers from 7 a.m. onwards. Food stalls offer Alsatian regional specialties: tarte flambée, grilled meats, pretzels, and pastries, accompanied by Rouffach wines — Riesling, Pinot Gris, and Gewurztraminer from the slopes of the prestigious Grand Cru Vorbourg. Activities for children and fairground rides complete the family offerings.

Rouffach, a wine-growing and historic town

Rouffach is a town of character nestled on the Alsace Wine Route, at the foot of the sub-Vosges hills. Its remarkable heritage — the Notre-Dame-de-l'Assomption church, the Witches' Tower, the ancient fortifications — bears witness to a thousand-year history. The Rouffach vineyards, with their Grand Cru Vorbourg on calcareous and marl-limestone soils, produce wines of exceptional elegance and minerality. The Domaine de l'École, attached to the agricultural college, perpetuates the wine-growing tradition by training the winemakers of tomorrow. Rouffach en Fête is the ideal opportunity to discover this heritage and oenological richness in a festive and generous atmosphere.