Skip to content

La fête des châtaignes, du vin et des produits de la Montagne Noire

Aude's oldest local festival

The Fête des châtaignes, du vin et des produits de la Montagne Noire (Festival of Chestnuts, Wine and Products from the Montagne Noire) is held every year on the weekend closest to All Saints’ Day in Villardonnel. The 1st edition dates back to 1969, making it the oldest gourmet festivals in Aude. It is also probably the oldest chestnut festival in France.

This event invites your taste buds to discover the gastronomic heritage of the Montagne Noire.

The traditional local produce fair, held on the Sunday of the festival, brings together nearly 100 local producers and craftspeople. The diversity and wealth of products on offer attracts thousands of gourmets from all over the region. Villardonnel has already welcomed over 5,000 visitors to this festive weekend!

The popularity of the Festival of Chestnuts, Wine and Montagne Noire Products is a great reward for the local producers. Whether they’re farmers, cheese-makers, wine-growers, castaneiculturists or livestock breeders, they’ve come to meet you and share their passion.

So if you’re a gourmet, join the party: discover the treasures of the Montagne Noire region, and you’ll never look at chestnuts in the same way again!

Cornet de châtaignes à la fête des chataignes de Villardonnel
Fanfare de bodègues

A festival steeped in the traditions of the Montagne Noire region

Dive into the heart of local traditions with a host of events at the “Fête des châtaignes, du vin et des produits de la Montagne Noire” !

Chestnuts, the star of the weekend, can be enjoyed in many different and sometimes unexpected ways. Watch them grill over a fire in large pans or bake a chestnut cake to try and win first prize in the pastry competition. Do you like a challenge? Form a team and sign up for the Castanhathlon, a unique competition where you’ll have to drag chestnut logs, run with a basket of chestnuts and test your throwing accuracy!

On Saturday evening, don’t miss the famous cabbage soup, prepared by VLAC, a village association. Take a seat at one of the large tables and share a convivial moment with the other guests.

The delicious flavours of this special weekend are complemented by the traditions of the Montagne Noire.

Let yourself be carried away by the sounds of the bodèga, a typical instrument of the Montagne Noire, and join in the torchlight procession, illuminating the streets of Villardonnel.

But the festivities don’t stop there! More modern activities join in with the traditional ones: merry-go-rounds, wooden games, bouncy castles, rides, etc. The Comité des Fêtes de Villardonnel is also committed to bringing in a host of local musicians throughout the weekend.

So there’s something for all ages, making this an ideal family outing!

Aude's oldest local festival

Cornet de châtaignes à la fête des chataignes de Villardonnel

The Fête des châtaignes, du vin et des produits de la Montagne Noire (Festival of Chestnuts, Wine and Products from the Montagne Noire) is held every year on the weekend closest to All Saints’ Day in Villardonnel. The 1st edition dates back to 1969, making it the oldest gourmet festivals in Aude. It is also probably the oldest chestnut festival in France.

This event invites your taste buds to discover the gastronomic heritage of the Montagne Noire.

The traditional local produce fair, held on the Sunday of the festival, brings together nearly 100 local producers and craftspeople. The diversity and wealth of products on offer attracts thousands of gourmets from all over the region. Villardonnel has already welcomed over 5,000 visitors to this festive weekend!

The popularity of the Festival of Chestnuts, Wine and Montagne Noire Products is a great reward for the local producers. Whether they’re farmers, cheese-makers, wine-growers, castaneiculturists or livestock breeders, they’ve come to meet you and share their passion.

So if you’re a gourmet, join the party: discover the treasures of the Montagne Noire region, and you’ll never look at chestnuts in the same way again!

A festival steeped in the traditions of the Montagne Noire region

Fanfare de bodègues

Dive into the heart of local traditions with a host of events at the “Fête des châtaignes, du vin et des produits de la Montagne Noire” !

Chestnuts, the star of the weekend, can be enjoyed in many different and sometimes unexpected ways. Watch them grill over a fire in large pans or bake a chestnut cake to try and win first prize in the pastry competition. Do you like a challenge? Form a team and sign up for the Castanhathlon, a unique competition where you’ll have to drag chestnut logs, run with a basket of chestnuts and test your throwing accuracy!

On Saturday evening, don’t miss the famous cabbage soup, prepared by VLAC, a village association. Take a seat at one of the large tables and share a convivial moment with the other guests.

The delicious flavours of this special weekend are complemented by the traditions of the Montagne Noire.

Let yourself be carried away by the sounds of the bodèga, a typical instrument of the Montagne Noire, and join in the torchlight procession, illuminating the streets of Villardonnel.

But the festivities don’t stop there! More modern activities join in with the traditional ones: merry-go-rounds, wooden games, bouncy castles, rides, etc. The Comité des Fêtes de Villardonnel is also committed to bringing in a host of local musicians throughout the weekend.

So there’s something for all ages, making this an ideal family outing!

How to get here?