Autumn in Ardèche is adorned with its finest colors to celebrate the chestnut. From October 10 to November 8, 2026, the traditional Castagnades return to the Monts d’Ardèche. For nearly a month, 11 villages in the department will honor this emblematic fruit through a series of events.
This 27th edition promises a rich and diverse program. Visitors will have the opportunity to meet local producers and artisans, taste grilled chestnuts, and discover a multitude of culinary specialties that highlight this flagship product of Ardèche. Each participating village will offer its own schedule of activities.
Among the announced highlights, several key dates will mark these festivities: Saint-Pierreville on October 10 and 11, Jaujac on October 11, Privas from October 16 to 18, Joyeuse on October 17 and 18, Désaignes on October 18, Saint-Laurent-les-Bains-Laval-d’Aurelle from October 22 to 24, Saint-André-Lachamp with a folk dance on October 23 followed by the festival on October 25, Antraïgues on October 24 and 25, Chalencon on October 25, Vesseaux on October 31 and November 1, and finally Joannas on November 7 and 8.
This year holds particular significance with the celebration of the 20th anniversary of the AOP Châtaigne d’Ardèche (Protected Designation of Origin Chestnut of Ardèche). This anniversary is a great opportunity to showcase not only this local product but also the work of the producers and artisans who preserve an ancestral know-how, intimately linked to the history and landscapes of the Monts d’Ardèche. The chestnut is thus much more than a gastronomic product; it is an essential component of the Ardèche heritage.
The Castagnades are established as an unmissable event to enjoy the autumn colors, explore the magnificent landscapes of Ardèche, and savor the chestnut in all its forms.
