Traditional popular festival par excellence, the Benichon of Châtel-St-Denis commemorates the end of the harvest, the descent of the herds from the mountain pastures and the return to winter quarters
The Benichon of Châtel-St-Denis takes place every year on the 3rd weekend of October. The following weekend the Recrotzon is also celebrated: it is the occasion to continue the festival and to finish the remainders.
Originally, this festival is the one of blessing: thanks to the gods for all that nature gives and that we harvest during the year. Over the centuries, the religious ceremony disappeared and only the popular and gastronomic celebration remained. People eat for six hours or more: cuchaule and Benichon mustard, broth, ham, leg of lamb with Botzi pears, meringues, berries, double cream and Benichon delicacies. Then comes the moment of dancing to the sound of folk music.
