Au Cul du Cheval keeps its yard at Le Goënidou in Berrien, where goats graze beside the horses. Two draught horses, Breton and Percheron, are harnessed before the carriage sets off along the lanes. The driver explains animal traction, Breton history and the local plants on the way. The route ends at the archaeological site of the Goënidou, the ruins of a medieval village its people left. An organic local snack and a Breton tale can be added.
Tag: rural-traditions
Chataignes grillees a la Bogue d’Or, Redon
Kristine Allard takes children and their parents through Redon to explain how its festival of autumn came about. The walk follows the origin of the foire Teillouse and of the Bogue, the two gatherings that fill the town at harvest. The chestnut is then set out as the emblematic tree of the pays de Redon, with its fruit and its prized wood. It closes on the knack of telling a châtaigne from a marron.
Chaud ! Les châtaignes at La Ferme d’Antan
La Ferme d’Antan hands a whole day to the chestnut, at the hamlet of Saint Esprit des Bois in Plédéliac. The forge is run and loaves go into the oven while old trades are shown at work, beside rooms of autumn varieties, photographs and creative workshops. A meal at midday, tastings and a sale of produce carry the rest of the afternoon. The day ends in a fest-deiz, the dance taken in daylight, behind Asteure, Land Segal Trad and Nomad.
Fête automnale des Amis du Monde à Meneham
Les Amis du Monde de Kerlouan gather in the heart of Meneham for their autumn fete. The afternoon is a fest-deiz, danced in daylight to a traditional music group. Pumpkin soup, sausage galettes and crêpes come out of the kitchen beside a refreshment stand. Meneham is the village the association works in, and the Côte des Légendes office opens the site this season for lantern-lit visits, giant werewolves and Ar vro Bagan’s pirate play.
Une saïrée avec Mélie at the Ferme d’Antan
Mélie is the farmer at the Écomusée de La Ferme d’Antan, and as the light goes she hands visitors her own chores: the animals to see to, the eggs to gather. The work earns a collation à l’ancienne by the fire in the hôté. Mélie speaks cor’gallo throughout and is understood anyway, which is the whole point of the hour. Twelve people at most join her, as one of the Minutes Bleues sessions set in Côtes-d’Armor heritage places at dawn or dusk.
Fête de la Pomme by Avalou Plabenneg
Avalou Plabenneg, the orchard association of Plabennec, fills the Salle Marcel Bouguen with heritage dessert varieties, cider apples and organic fruit from the Locmaria orchard. Grafting and apple identification each have a booth, alongside displays and videos on fruit-growing technique. Outside, apple juice is pressed in the open and knives and tools are sharpened. A pie contest and guided circuits of the town’s orchards run alongside, with admission at two euros. Pruning and grafting at Locmaria, Kerangal and Kerséné occupy the association through the year.
Châtillon-sur-Chalaronne Weekly Market
Around sixty food producers take part in Châtillon-sur-Chalaronne’s market. Dombes fish, cheese, poultry, game and charcuterie share the stalls with seasonal fruit and vegetables. Flowers, young plants and live poultry add to the selection, while a separate stretch of stalls sells manufactured goods including clothing and furniture.
Retour des Alpages in Annecy
Retour des Alpages celebrates the descent of livestock from mountain pastures into the valleys. Farm animals and groups in traditional costume parade through Annecy. Craftspeople demonstrate old trades while producers share local specialities. Songs, folk dances and traditional instruments accompany a celebration that Annecy Traditions connects to Haute-Savoie’s farming heritage.
Grande fête d’automne du Gâtinais à Villemandeur
The Comité des Fêtes de Villemandeur fills the Domaine de Lisledon for an autumn day of trading and rural know-how in the Gâtinais. Brocante dealers and private sellers lay out antiques and collectors’ stalls, no pitch booked in advance. A country market and a stall show of local artisanat sit beside them, and apples go through a pressoir à l’ancienne. Orgues de Barbarie and mechanical music sound across the park, and hot boudin is served.
Fête de la Pomme à Saint-Aignan-le-Jaillard
Saint-Aignan-le-Jaillard gives its salle polyvalente over to the apple. Juice is made on the spot from the fruit, beignes are offered for tasting and for sale, and the catering sticks to the same theme. A marché fermier and a présentation de métiers anciens run alongside, so old rural trades are worked in front of the crowd. Wooden games, pony rides and archery keep the children busy, while Les Mauvais Garçons du Loiret provide the music.