The festival of the chestnut
As the website of the festival so rightly says, it is indeed a festival... which does not lack spice!
Because, indeed, in Éguzon-Chantôme and its region, the chestnut tree grows well, so much so that in the past it replaced wheat, while the wood was sent to Cognac to make barrels.
And since 1986, during the chestnut season, this village of just under 1500 inhabitants welcomes 20,000 visitors, including 3000 hikers who, welcomed by nearly 300 volunteers, will taste 1.5 tons of chestnuts, and 20 tons of apples pressed on the spot!
A festival as one dreams of it...
This festival has a spirit, a spirit of joyful conviviality, based on nature, the land, and know-how.
On the square, it is the effervescence!
The members of the "Confrérie des goûteux d'châtaignes et fendeux d'gorces du pays d'Eguzon" are there, of course! This brotherhood created in 1996 aims at promoting and safeguarding the chestnut, and all that turns around. It replants "patouillettes", "nouzillards", and "pointues" on the commune (in case you don't know what they are, and so that you don't look like a fool once you're there, I'll tell you that they are local varieties of chestnut trees...).
You will also visit the "salon de la rando", about thirty exhibitors under a 400 m² tent. It must be said that hiking is a widely practiced activity on the territory of the Lake of Eguzon and its Valley, with its 400 kilometers of marked out paths.
In short, two days of great celebration!
A three-day hiking program
In fact, the festivities and activities extend a little beyond the two days.
For example, in 2021, you could start on Friday evening, October 29, with a short 6-kilometer night hike that leads to a country-style dinner served at "La marmite à Paulo". And the last hike, the Patouillette hike, is on Monday, November 1st, with two different length itineraries. It's clear, we'll be overflowing a little at the beginning and at the end!
Between the two, the hike of the lake of La Roche aux Moines on Saturday, October 30th, and the hike of the lake of Eguzon on Sunday. But you don't have to do everything, of course!
You can also vary with the horseback riding of the three valleys...
and during this time...
You can also, during this time, move away from the festival itself, and visit the Museum of the Creuse Valley, and the Michelet house, where a double world champion jam maker officiates! Both are in the village, and I wrote a little article about both. So, you see, it's not far!
Chestnut Festival
2, Route de la Gare
36270 Éguzon-Chantôme
Tel : 02 54 47 43 04
Tel : 02 54 47 43 69
contact@fetechataigne-eguzon.com
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