This Sunday, Aiguilhe will host its traditional honey fair. An unmissable autumn event in Velay, which will once again bring together beekeepers, producers, residents and visitors around honey and local know-how.
"On Michaelmas, taste your honey." This popular saying perfectly encapsulates the spirit of this event, which takes place every year in Aiguilhe on the first Sunday following Michaelmas, the town's patron saint's day. The event is scheduled for this Sunday, October 4th.
The Aiguilhe Honey Fair has existed for over 40 years. This festival has become and will remain a major event for the town.
41st edition AROUND HONEY
Originally, a few volunteers, along with the local public school, conceived of a honey-themed event for Michaelmas. The first few editions only brought together five beekeepers. Today, the event welcomes 24 beekeepers who are members of the Haute-Loire honey promotion association.
Throughout the day, visitors will be able to discover and buy the year's products: wildflower honey, mountain honey, fir honey, acacia honey… An opportunity also to interact directly with the producers and to better understand the work of beekeepers.
A day dedicated to traditions
From early morning, the winegrowers, accompanied by their donkeys, will tour the village to harvest the vegetables that will be used to make the "winegrowers' soup." The winegrowers are accompanied by the King of Chosson, a legendary figure from the Aiguilhe hillside.
For this 41e editionAiguilhe Animations has, once again, prepared a particularly packed program.
From 9 a.m. onwards, the Maison des associations will host the various professional and amateur honey competitions, dedicated in particular to mountain and fir honeys. Those with a sweet tooth can also participate in the competitions gingerbread and nougat.
The results will be revealed at 11:45 a.m., town hall squarebefore an aperitif offered by the municipality.
Honey, but also music, producers and entertainment
Lunch will be provided by the associations of Aiguilhe at the multi-purpose hall.
The afternoon will notably be enlivened by Thomas Guillemet , who will offer a musical journey through his repertoire of traditional music.
On Rue Bernard, the refreshment stand of the parents' association will also offer several activities: basketry, tasting of the honeys presented in the competition and exchanges with beekeepers.
At the town hall, a photographic exhibition by Gilles Varenne will be dedicated to honey. In addition, a book signing will be offered by the artist GEBE , who will be signing a comic strip.
What harvest can be expected from beekeepers in 2026?
The 2026 honey harvest was good. Dandelion and rapeseed nectar yielded well in the spring. However, the frost on Saturday, March 28th, destroyed the acacia buds, so there will be no acacia honey this year in Haute-Loire.
Beyond the festive aspect, the fair provides a special opportunity each year to take stock of the beekeeping season. After several months of work, beekeepers present their harvests and share their experiences of the conditions encountered throughout the year.
Will the 2026 season have been favorable to bees and beekeepers? Have weather conditions, flowering, and periods of heat or rain influenced the volume and quality of the different productions? Visitors will be able to speak directly with the producers present in Aiguilhe and discover the characteristics of this new harvest.
The day will end spectacularly with a Fireworks at 20 p.m..
Between discovering local produce, competitions, popular traditions, musical entertainment and meetings with beekeepers, the Aiguilhe honey fair It promises to be another family-friendly event to celebrate the arrival of autumn in Velay.
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