For ten years now, the communes of Isola, Valdeblore, Roure, and Saint-Etienne de Tinée have been gathering in Cagnes in the name of the chestnut. Reviving the traditions of the Haut-Pays Niçois. For the beautiful chestnut, the elders of the Tinée valley improvise as blacksmiths, basket weavers, knife sharpeners, weavers, and wool carders. Genuine costumed scenes are created to bring to life the trades of yesteryear. Next to the artisans, a nativity scene brings together the mountain animals – sheep, horses, goats – the actors of the joyful musical parade at eleven o’clock.
The chestnut reigns here. One and a half tons of fruits were distributed during the 2005 edition. In a friendly atmosphere, the aromas of barley coffee – a rarity – alongside the stalls of generous abundance, artisan charcuterie, and mulled wine offered by the organizers. The event will be animated by players of the drum, whistle, and other instruments from old times. But also, throughout the day, by the “Banda daou Paioun”, “Li Barragnas” and the Corsican group “I canti di l’unione Corsa”.
Lumberjacking is back this year. The world champion, Gilles Giguet, came last year to break his own record – cutting three slices of wood, each 11 centimeters thick, with a chainsaw in 7 seconds! This year, the athlete promises an even more exceptional spectacle – a demonstration of “Xultic” (work at height).
No jubilee without surprises. A new attraction joins the festivities – the Equestrian Band of the “Friends of the Horse” Circle will enliven the town center all afternoon.
After these appetizers, visitors are invited to a country lunch… Prepared by top chefs. Jacques Maximin, the chef of the Table d’Amis in Vence, returns this year with a new delight, an autumn salad in honor of the chestnut. And like every year, steaming polenta in its giant pot will accompany the traditional wild boar stew.
