Maybe you have heard of it. You may even have been there before. It's a traditional autumn event at the Balcons du Dauphiné… The answer is in the title: the apple festival, of course!
Le Bouchage, a small village of around 700 souls, bordered by the Rhône, has no less than 4 apple producers (yes ladies and gentlemen, 4!). So quite naturally, when we talk about highlighting this everyday fruit during a village festival, it makes sense, it's at Le Bouchage. There is even one, apple, XXL and all red, which sits proudly at the entrance to the village. You can't miss it!
On a beautiful fall day
The least we can say is that the public was there. I would even say that the center of the village was stormed by hundreds, yes hundreds of visitors, young and old, from morning until evening, happy to rediscover the festive and family atmosphere of this beautiful autumn festival.
Apples, we saw them during this day, of all colors, of all varieties – the royal gala, the jonagold, the golden gray, the gray pippin from Canada, the elstar… each one their own! – and in all forms: fruit of course, but also juice, puree, syrup, cider vinegar. Coffee lovers even found apple coffee (yes yes coffee), offered by the artisanal roasting company in the village that needs no introduction: Les Cafés Lestra. The greediest were able to taste the traditional toffee apple all dressed in red or even the apple fritters prepared on the spot. (it's good but it's hot !).
Apples, but not only...
Beautifully dressed jams and homemade fruit jellies, honey and by-products (gingerbread, soap) or even tea were offered for sale at various stands: enough to complete your shopping with lots of good things!
Animations and demonstrations
Nobody could miss the demonstrations of sheepdogs: 3 furry ones guided by the voice of their human who direct geese and ducks with surprising precision in the middle of small wooden modules, as they would do in the field to bring the animals into shelter for the night. Special mention to the dogs who showed unfailing concentration despite the presence of dozens of captivated visitors.
The stand of La Vannerie Dauphinoise (Les Avenières Veyrins-Thuellin) was also very successful. It must be said that they were beautiful, the baskets, and the sculptures in the shape of tractors… true works of art.
Demonstration of country dancing and bicycle stunts, a game that turns everything upside down, musical entertainment by the group Coming Sun, not to mention the big merry-go-round, young and old certainly had a good time.
End clap…until next year!
How to leave empty-handed? Impossible. You could even say that some left with their arms full. Not enough to last until next year, nope, but enough to do a nice apple cure over the coming weeks 😉
The organizers are already giving us an appointment next fall for a new edition!
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