Autumn fairs in Haute-Savoie: a vibrant tradition
Every year, between early September and late October, the villages and towns of Haute-Savoie reconnect with one of their oldest traditions: the autumn fair. Many inherited from the Middle Ages, these events originally marked the major commercial gatherings of the season, when farmers returned from the alpine pastures with their herds. This key moment of the pastoral year bears a name well known to the people of Haute-Savoie: the “démontagnée” (or désalpe).
Even today, most of these fairs retain their agricultural character: cattle competitions, parades of herds adorned with bells, agricultural shows, cheese contests (Reblochon, Abondance, Beaufort). They are almost always accompanied by a large market of producers and artisans, family entertainment, brass bands, and traditional meals served under a marquee.
Some Haute-Savoie fairs boast a venerable age: the Crête Fair in Thonon-les-Bains has existed since the end of the Middle Ages, while the Thônes fair celebrates its origins dating back to 1312. Others, more recent, were born from the desire of local festival committees to keep the rural heritage of the area alive.
Good news for visitors: the vast majority of these fairs are free of charge and take place in the heart of villages, making them an easy family outing to organize on an autumn weekend.
Summary table of the 2026 autumn fairs in Haute-Savoie
| Date | Fair | Town | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thu. 3 September | Crête Fair | Thonon-les-Bains | 07am-11pm |
| Sun. 13 September | Cross Fair | La Clusaz | 09am-7pm |
| Sat. 19 September | Saint-Maurice Agricultural Fair | Le Grand-Bornand | 09am-6pm (evening from 8:30pm) |
| Tue. 22 September | Saint-Maurice Fair | Boëge | 08am-6pm |
| Sat. 26 September | Saint-Maurice Fair | Larringes | 08am-6pm |
| Sat. 26 – Sun. 27 September | Saint-Maurice Fair | Thônes | Whole day |
| Sun. 27 September | Saint-Michel Fair | Bernex | 10am-6pm |
| Sun. 27 September | The Autumn Festival | Cluses | 10am-6pm |
| Sat. 3 October | Autumn Fair | Reignier-Ésery | 08am-6pm |
| Sat. 3 October | Saint-Michel Fair | Lullin | 08am-6pm |
| Sun. 4 October | Autumn Fair & Abondance breed contest | Abondance | 08am-6pm |
| Sun. 4 October | Agricultural Fair | Rumilly | 08am-6pm |
| Sat. 10 October | Return from the pastures Festival | Annecy | 08am-6pm |
| Sun. 11 October | Saint-Denis Fair | La Roche-sur-Foron | 08am-6pm |
| Sun. 11 October | Abondance breed contest | Megève | 09am-5:30pm |
| Sun. 11 October | Apple Festival | Saint-Paul-en-Chablais | 09am-6pm |
| Sun. 11 October | Sheep fair and contest | Servoz | 09am-6pm |
| Sat. 17 – Sun. 18 October | Autumn Fair | Mieussy | 09am-6pm |
| Sun. 18 October | Agricultural fair and cattle contest | Saint-Gervais | 09am-6pm |
| Sat. 24 – Sun. 25 October | Cold fair | Sallanches | 09am-6pm |
| Sun. 25 October | Autumn fair and sheep fair | Manigod | 09am-6pm |
| Sun. 25 October | Bâthie Fair | La Balme-de-Sillingy | 08am-6pm |
Dates and times are given as an indication: it is advised to check with local tourist offices before traveling.
The complete list of 2026 autumn fairs in Haute-Savoie
Thursday 3 September – Crête Fair, Thonon-les-Bains
A centuries-old institution created at the end of the Middle Ages and held every first Thursday of September, the Crête Fair is one of the most important traditional events in the Chablais region. It offers an agricultural section with cattle competitions, a large market and commercial stands, as well as a funfair with rides set up on the esplanade.
Practical info: Place de Crête and adjacent streets, 74200 Thonon-les-Bains – from 7am to 11pm.
Sunday 13 September – Cross Fair, La Clusaz
Emblematic event of the Aravis valley marking the end of the grazing season, the Cross Fair celebrates the return of the herds (démontagnée) and local cheesemaking expertise, with breeding contests, cheese competitions, an artisan market, and traditional meal.
Practical info: Impasse du Champ Giguet, 74220 La Clusaz – from 9am to 7pm.
See all info on the Cross Fair in La Clusaz
Saturday 19 September – Saint-Maurice Agricultural Fair, Le Grand-Bornand
Last major agro-pastoral event in the Aravis before the final démontagnée, this fair brings together the commune’s breeders around Abondance breed cattle and farmhouse Reblochon cheese. The contest and market are held during the day, followed by a festive evening with awards ceremony.
Practical info: Place de l’Église and village center, 74450 Le Grand-Bornand – contest and market from 9am to 6pm, evening from 8:30pm.
Tuesday 22 September – Saint-Maurice Fair, Boëge
Unmissable autumn event in the Vallée Verte for decades, traditionally held on the third Tuesday of September. It combines a major cattle and horse breeding competition with a large commercial fair, featuring local products and culinary traditions.
Practical info: Main town / Place de l’Église, 74420 Boëge – from 8am to 6pm.
Saturday 26 September – Saint-Maurice Fair, Larringes
Great rural tradition of the Gavot plateau held the last weekend of September, bringing together breeders, artisans, and residents from the entire Évian area around an agricultural show, cattle contest, and a large market.
Practical info: Main town / Town Hall of Larringes, 74500 Larringes – from 8am to 6pm.
Saturday 26 and Sunday 27 September – Saint-Maurice Fair, Thônes
Ancient fair created in 1312 and held every last weekend of September, it is one of the major agricultural events of the Thônes and Aravis valleys, birthplace of Reblochon cheese. Agricultural show, breeding and cheese competitions, large market and crafts are on the program.
Practical info: Rue du Pré de Foire and town square, 74230 Thônes.
Sunday 27 September – Saint-Michel Fair, Bernex
Celebrated at the foot of the Dent d’Oche in the Gavot region, this fair marks the démontagnée and the return of alpine herders to the village, with artisan market, local products, meals and folk entertainment.
Practical info: Maison Bernolande, Place du Champ de Foire, 74500 Bernex – from 10am to 6pm, meals from 12:30pm.
Sunday 27 September – The Autumn Festival, Cluses
Major festive event in the Arve valley, the Autumn Festival returns to celebrate the change of season in a warm and popular atmosphere. Held in the heart of the town, this great day brings together residents, artisans, and producers to celebrate local heritage and know-how.
Practical information: Pedestrian town center and Grande Rue, 74300 Cluses – From 10:00am to 6:00pm – Free access and free activities
Saturday 3 October – Autumn Fair, Reignier-Ésery
Traditional early autumn meeting in the Haute-Savoie Genevois, historically linked to the Saint-Crépin fair. This large commercial fair gathers every year merchants, artisans, and producers in the center of the commune.
Practical info: Grande Rue, Place de la Mairie, 74930 Reignier-Ésery – from 8am to 6pm.
Saturday 3 October – Saint-Michel Fair, Lullin
Traditional autumn event in the Brevon valley, in the Chablais, bringing together breeders, local producers, and residents around pastoralism and mountain terroir.
Practical info: Place du Village, 74470 Lullin – from 8am to 6pm.
Sunday 4 October – Autumn Fair and Abondance breed contest, Abondance
Major event of the year for breeders of the Abondance cattle breed (characterized by mahogany coat and distinctive eye markings), this 601st edition combines the International Abondance Breed and Cheese Show with an artisan market, musical entertainment, and tastings. The contest judgment takes place in the morning, followed by an honorary parade in the afternoon.
Practical info: Main town, 74360 Abondance – from 8am to 6pm.
Sunday 4 October – Agricultural Fair of Rumilly
Major rural festival of the Albanais, this fair attracts between 15,000 and 20,000 visitors each year. It offers a breeding section with parades, an exhibition of tractors and agricultural machinery, a cheese show, crafts, and convivial catering.
Practical info: Place d’Armes, 74150 Rumilly – from 8am to 6pm.
Saturday 10 October – Return from the pastures Festival, Annecy
Organized by the Annecy Traditions association, it is the largest folkloric and agro-pastoral gathering in Haute-Savoie, attracting tens of thousands of spectators in the old town. On the program: large traditional parade, demonstrations of old crafts, terroir market, and street concerts.
Practical info: Old town, 74000 Annecy – from 8am to 6pm.
See all information on the Annecy Return from the Pastures Festival
Sunday 11 October – Saint-Denis Fair, La Roche-sur-Foron
Historic agricultural and commercial event of the Pays Rochois, held in the heart of the medieval town, bringing together residents, breeders, and merchants around rural traditions and Haute-Savoie terroir.
Practical info: 1 Place de l’Hôtel de Ville, 74800 La Roche-sur-Foron – from 8am to 6pm.
Sunday 11 October – Abondance breed contest, Megève
Agropastoral event at the foot of Mont Blanc bringing together breeders from Megève and the upper Val d’Arly to celebrate the end of grazing and local cheesemaking know-how.
Practical info: Palais des sports de Megève, 74120 Megève – from 9am to 5:30pm (judging from 9:30am, parade and awards at 2:30pm).
Sunday 11 October – Apple Festival, Saint-Paul-en-Chablais
Large friendly and gourmet gathering on the Gavot plateau, celebrating traditional orchards and Chablais terroir: pressing and juice making, artisan and gourmet market, family entertainment.
Practical info: Community hall, 74500 Saint-Paul-en-Chablais – from 9am to 6pm.
Sunday 11 October – Sheep fair and contest, Servoz
Agropastoral institution of the Chamonix valley, at the foot of the Fiz massif and Mont Blanc, highlighting the rustic Thônes and Marthod sheep breed.
Practical info: Place de l’église, 74310 Servoz – from 9am to 6pm.
Saturday 17 and Sunday 18 October – Autumn Fair, Mieussy
Major event in the Giffre valley, in the village birthplace of paragliding, celebrating rural life and local crafts: terroir market, apple pressing and old crafts, flea market, and family entertainment.
Practical info: Main town, 74440 Mieussy – from 9am to 6pm.
Sunday 18 October – Agricultural fair and cattle contest, Saint-Gervais
Major autumn event in the Mont Blanc area, bringing together farmers from surrounding alpine pastures and artisans in the heart of the thermal town, around an agricultural show and cattle contest.
Practical info: Main town, 74170 Saint-Gervais – from 9am to 6pm.
Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 October – Cold Fair, Sallanches
Centuries-old institution of the Mont Blanc area with origins dating back to the Middle Ages, traditionally held the last weekend of October. Large popular and agricultural festival gathering hundreds of exhibitors and thousands of visitors: agricultural show (mainly Saturday), large market and stalls, local products.
Practical info: Town center, 74700 Sallanches – from 9am to 6pm.
Sunday 25 October – Autumn fair and sheep fair, Manigod
Agropastoral event at the heart of the Aravis massif celebrating the rustic Thônes and Marthod sheep breed and mountain breeding.
Practical info: Main town, 74230 Manigod – from 9am to 6pm.
Sunday 25 October – Bâthie Fair, La Balme-de-Sillingy
Great traditional and popular autumn fair of the Annecy basin, held at the foot of the Mandallaz, attracting thousands of visitors around terroir, agriculture, and local crafts: agricultural section and animals, large market, funfair, and local gastronomy.
Practical info: Main town, 74330 La Balme-de-Sillingy – from 8am to 6pm.
FAQ
What is the largest autumn fair in Haute-Savoie? The Annecy Return from the Pastures Festival (October 10) and the Rumilly Agricultural Fair (October 4, 15,000 to 20,000 visitors) are among the most attended gatherings of the Haute-Savoie autumn.
Are the autumn fairs free? Yes, access to the market and activities is free at the vast majority of Haute-Savoie autumn fairs. Only certain meals or specific activities may be chargeable.
What is called the “démontagnée” in Haute-Savoie? It is the name given to the descent of the herds from the alpine pastures to the valley at the end of summer, celebrated by many autumn fairs through parades of cattle adorned with bells.
Do you need to book to attend an autumn fair? No, these fairs take place outdoors in village centers and are free to enter. Only on-site catering may require booking depending on the municipality.
