The Abondance Autumn Fair: two days of tradition, cheese and mountain conviviality
Some events have marked the rhythm of village life for centuries. The Abondance Autumn Fair is one of them. On 3 and 4 October 2026, the 601st edition of this unmissable Chablais event will bring together locals, farmers, craftspeople and visitors to celebrate what makes the soul of the valley: the Abondance cattle breed, the AOP cheese, Savoyard traditions and mountain conviviality. A weekend to mark in your diary before the village settles into its winter pause.
601 years of tradition: the oldest fair in the Chablais
The Abondance Autumn Fair is no recent creation. Its 601st edition in 2026 bears witness to a history stretching back to the 15th century, when the inhabitants of the valley would gather each autumn to trade, exchange livestock and celebrate the end of the alpine season. The descent from the high pastures, when the herds leave the mountain heights to return to the valley farms before the first snows, has always been the occasion for a popular celebration.
Today, the fair has kept that authentic spirit while also developing an international dimension: the International Show of the Abondance Breed and Cheese, which draws farmers and cheesemakers from around the world to celebrate and evaluate this living heritage. It is a unique opportunity to see the Abondance cattle breed at its finest and to taste the AOP cheese at every stage of maturity, right in the heart of the village that gave it its name.
Entry is free, for everyone, for the whole weekend.
Saturday 3 October: programme
Saturday is the most festive and lively day of the fair. The village comes alive from 10:00 with the opening of the craft market under a large marquee, where local artisans and producers offer their creations and local produce. It is the ideal opportunity to find authentic gifts and fill your bags with Savoyard flavours before winter.
From 11:00, equestrian displays set the tone: working horses, demonstrations and live music combine for a true village celebration atmosphere. Traditional folk music from TradiMusique accompanies the day, and a tea dance is held at the Salle des Fêtes from 14:30 for fans of traditional dance.
The afternoon holds some particularly anticipated highlights. At 14:00, carriage rides offer a chance to explore the village surroundings at a gentle, bucolic pace. From 14:00 to 17:30, the Public Abondance AOP Cheese Competition opens to visitors, who can take part in tasting and evaluating the cheese and vote for their favourite wheel. At 15:00 and 17:00, horse-powered timber hauling demonstrations recall the central role of the working horse in the pastoral life of the valley.
Also noteworthy: at 16:00, a live demonstration of the Berthoud recipe, the Traditional Speciality Guaranteed dish of the Chablais made with melted Abondance AOP cheese, offers a front-row seat to the preparation of this emblematic dish.
The highlight of Saturday evening is undoubtedly the giant fondue at the Salle des Fêtes, organised by the Harmonie d'Abondance from 19:00: a moment of sharing and collective indulgence around the most convivial of all Savoyard dishes.
Sunday 4 October: programme
Sunday is dedicated to the heart of the fair: the Abondance cattle competition and the Professional Abondance AOP Cheese Competition. From 09:00, farmers present their finest animals on the Plaine d'Offaz and in the village centre, under the watchful eye of a panel of specialists.
At 11:15, the Harmonie d'Abondance takes to the village square for a concert, before the complimentary vin d'honneur offered by Crédit Agricole at 11:45. From 11:30, the Salle des Fêtes hosts a restaurant serving the Bouilli, the traditional Savoyard pot-au-feu, with live folk music from TradiMusique. A generous and convivial meal, firmly in the tradition of the valley's culinary heritage.
The afternoon continues with the cattle competition and traditional entertainment, before the prize-giving ceremony at 16:00: awards for the Abondance breed competition and the Abondance AOP cheese competition. This solemn and festive moment rewards the work of the farmers and cheesemakers who keep this living heritage alive throughout the year.
A unique opportunity to discover the Abondance cattle breed
For many visitors, the Autumn Fair is the first chance to see an Abondance cow up close. This sturdy mountain breed, recognisable by its fawn coat and the chestnut patches around its eyes that have earned it the affectionate nickname of «lunettes» (spectacles), lies at the heart of the valley's identity. It is the Abondance cow that produces the raw milk that becomes the AOP cheese, and it is this breed that has shaped the Chablais alpine pastures for centuries.
Watching these animals presented by their farmers, understanding the judging criteria, listening to stories of knowledge passed down through generations: the fair is a genuine living history lesson about this territory and its people.
Stay at Hôtel Les Touristes and make the most of the fair
The Abondance Autumn Fair is the last major event of the season before the hotel's winter closure. Sabrina and her team welcome you at Hôtel Les Touristes for this exceptional weekend, just a few steps from the Plaine d'Offaz and the village centre.
For the occasion, Sabrina is serving the bouilli at the hotel table: the traditional Savoyard pot-au-feu, also on the menu at the Salle des Fêtes during the fair itself. A delicious nod to the valley's culinary traditions, best enjoyed warm after a full day of festivities, and a fitting way to close the season around one of the Chablais' most emblematic dishes.
It is also a wonderful opportunity to enjoy the last days of the autumn season in the valley: the forests of the Chablais are beginning to dress in golden and russet tones, the hiking trails are free from summer crowds, and the village takes on a more intimate and warm-hearted atmosphere.
Winter closure and reopening on 18 December
After the fair, Hôtel Les Touristes will close its doors for the winter break. Sabrina and her team look forward to welcoming you back on 18 December 2026 for the opening of the winter season, just in time for the festive period and the first major snowfalls across the Portes du Soleil. Bookings for the 2026-2027 winter season are already open.
See you soon in Abondance for 601 years of tradition!
The Les Touristes Team
Would you like to stay at Hôtel Les Touristes for the Autumn Fair weekend, or plan your winter stay from 18 December? Book directly online and enjoy a personal welcome from Sabrina and her team, in the heart of the village of Abondance.