Fête du Haut et Moyen Pays

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 17, FROM 10 A.M. TO 6 P.M.: ACTIVITIES & THE ATMOSPHERE OF YEARS GONE BY!! Street criers, Provençal music by Lo Cepon, a barrel organ, and an accordion will set the tone for the day. Conceived as a true regional celebration, the Fête du Haut et Moyen Pays highlights the connections that have linked the Alpine valleys to Vence and the Moyen Pays for centuries. Producers, artisans, farmers, associations, museums, and local stakeholders gather in the historic center to showcase their crafts, products, and traditions. As visitors stroll through the streets and squares, they discover the history, the men and women, the products, and the skills that have shaped the relationship between the mountains and the Mediterranean. The event brings together producers, livestock farmers, artisans, craftspeople, museums, associations, and institutional stakeholders to highlight the various stages involved in the protection and understanding of a product—from its processing and origin all the way to the plate. Shops in the city center will also take part in this event. A day of activities and encounters From 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., the streets and squares of the city center will come alive with demonstrations, workshops, meet-and-greets, and activities for all ages. The atmosphere will be enlivened by town criers, Provençal music featuring Lo Cepon, a barrel organ, and an accordion. Two highlights focused on cultural heritage are also on the program: 11:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.: a live storytelling performance about washerwomen and pastoral life at the Fontaine du Peyra, lasting 45 minutes. 4:30 p.m.: Themed guided tour; registration* required at the Metropolitan Tourist Office. Pony rides for children, departing from Avenue Marcellin-Maurel. Traditional Crafts and Customs in the Heart of the City On Avenue Marcellin-Maurel, Rue de l’Évêchée, Rue du Marché, and in the historic district, visitors will find local producers and artisans showcasing regional products and traditional crafts. On the Fernand Moutet Esplanade, there will be presentations of trades and organizations dedicated to the protection and preservation of cultural heritage: a carpentry workshop and demonstration, games and birdhouse-building with the League for the Protection of Birds, information from the Regional Nature Park, and the making of lavender spindles. The Lou Ferouil Village Museum will offer a chance to explore collections of objects, tools, and artifacts from everyday life. La Brissaudo will showcase antique tools and traditions, accompanied by a tasting of bread, garlic, and olive oil. At Place du Peyra, La Saumonée Vençoise will introduce visitors to the world of trout, with a sale and tasting of trout fritters. The farmers’ market will showcase local products and the region’s traditional skills. Lace makers and santon makers will also present their creations and techniques. TRADITIONAL CRAFTS At Place Clemenceau and Passage Cahours, the public can discover or rediscover the crafts and skills of yesteryear through demonstrations and workshops. Highlights include: · embroidery and weaving with wool; · beekeeping, beeswax candle-making, an interactive beehive exhibit, and honey sales; · natural dyeing and a hands-on workshop; · a dry-stone wall-building workshop, with an introductory session available by registration*; · tapenade making and tasting; · demonstration and tasting featuring a traditional still; · demonstration of the farrier’s craft. At Passage Cahours, the Musée de la Roudoule will also showcase traditional skills related to distillation, pastoralism, rural heritage, and the role of women in the Haut Pays, through exhibitions, films, and interactive displays. An exhibition focusing on local food and producers will also offer visitors the chance to discover the stories and skills that contribute to the gastronomic richness of the Haut Pays region of Nice. LIVESTOCK, TERROIR, AND LIVING HERITAGE At Place Godeau, the event will place special emphasis on pastoral life and livestock farming. The Coursegoules Farm and La Biquetterie de la Sine will showcase several animals: rams, ewes, goats, chickens, rabbits, and ducks. Goat’s milk crêpes will also be available for purchase. This showcase of the agricultural and pastoral world will serve as a reminder of the connection between livestock farming, local produce, landscapes, and food. The Fête du Haut et Moyen Pays thus reaffirms its ambition to make Vence a gateway to the Haut Pays—a crossroads between the mountains and the Moyen Pays—as a place for passing on traditional skills and living heritage. Program subject to confirmation. Registration: Vence Metropolitan Tourist Office, 04 93 58 06 38