Foire des Vendanges de Mazères

The Foire des Vendanges de Mazères, a festive and heritage event

Every third Sunday in September, the fortified town of Mazères dresses up for its Grape Harvest Fair. This annual event, rooted in the rural traditions of the Ariège region, offers a full day of activities combining a car boot sale, local crafts, agricultural demonstrations, and conviviality. Mazères, founded in 1253 by a paréage agreement between the Counts of Foix and the abbots of the Boulbonne abbey, perpetuates here a centuries-old fair tradition at the crossroads of Ariège, Aude, and Haute-Garonne.

A rich program from morning to evening

The day begins with the setup of car boot sale exhibitors in the town streets, open to both individuals and professionals. In the Church square, visitors can discover an exhibition of vintage cars and old tractors, testaments to the region's agricultural and mechanical heritage. Demonstrations of grape and apple pressing, traditional sheaf threshing, and wood-fired bread baking recall the gestures of past generations. A market of local producers offers wines, cheeses, regional products, and grape cakes.

Mazères, a medieval fortified town at the gates of Lauragais

Mazères occupies a special geographical position in the northeastern tip of Ariège, 60 kilometers from Toulouse. The fortified town, founded in the 13th century, retains its characteristic orthogonal layout with its arcades and central square. The Château de Mazères, residence of the Counts of Foix and later Gaston Fébus—who carried out significant work there in 1381—once dominated the city before being destroyed in the 17th century. The Hers-Vif river flows nearby, and the Lauragais plain extends north to the line of hills.

Meal and entertainment

From 12:00 PM, a meal is served on-site: steak with shallots, fries, and ice cream for adults (€13), children's menu for €7 for those under 12. The day concludes with a parade of tractors and vintage cars at 3:30 PM, accompanied by traditional music. To reserve a spot as an exhibitor, please contact the Mazères town hall at 05 61 69 42 04.

Practical Information

The car boot sale and fair are accessible all day, from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Admission is free. Car boot sale spots are available in the streets of the fortified town. The Mazères town hall coordinates the event and answers questions from exhibitors wishing to reserve a spot.