Welcome to the typical village of Diges, less than 30 minutes from Auxerre and less than 15 minutes from the town of Toucy, for its traditional and unmissable Chestnut Festival. Discover the very essence of this event and immerse yourself in the warm atmosphere of Puisaye-Forterre.
History of the chestnut festival in Diges
Go back in time to appreciate the history of the Chestnut Festival in Diges, anchored in the heart of the village. Originally, Puisaye, and more particularly in the communes of Diges, Pourrain and Parly, has always been a land of chestnuts but also of walnuts and apples. In the 1900s, producers had the habit, on the 3rd Sunday of October, of selling their autumn fruits and vegetables, on the village square, to residents. While this tradition was somewhat lost, It was at the beginning of the 1980s that the village festival committee revived this festival. Today, it shines throughout the Yonne department and well beyond. Every year, this festival, the cement of local life, attracts more than 13 lovers of roasted chestnuts, black puddings and apple juice.…This unmissable event is the time to reunite, to talk about the latest news together, to eat together. Diges would almost become the center of France. !
What is the use of chestnut?
The chestnut is an ideal fruit to consume in autumn and winter to combat stress and fatigue. The chestnut is eaten grilled or in culinary preparation. Chestnut flour can be used to prepare cakes or breads. It is naturally gluten-free and rich in fiber.
What is the difference between chestnut and chestnut?
- The chestnut is more flattened than the chestnut
- The chestnut bug contains 2 or 3 fruits separated by a small skin (tan), while the chestnut has only one fruit.
- The chestnut bug has many long spikes. Those of brown are smaller and fewer in number.
- In cooking, we call chestnut a chestnut that has been processed like chestnut cream or candied chestnuts. Not easy to find !
Program of the Chestnut Festival
To fully enjoy the fair, you should go there first thing in the morning..
You will start by hunting at the garage sale/flea market, and at the toy and childcare market in the village, in front of the town hall. Treasures and bargains are often found there. The garage sale/flea market in Diges often ends the garage sale and flea market season of the year.
Mid-morning, for a small local snack, taste your first roasted chestnuts. You will find stands all over the festival. Nevertheless, the giant grill, designed especially for the event, remains a must. Also go to apple press. On site, you will enjoy freshly squeezed juice. Health ! You will also find more than one use for the apple on site: in juice and in cider, sold by the Diges festival committee.
The market is held on the village square. So continue with your purchases of local products. The festival committee selects them carefully. The products are untreated and in a short circuit. 2 tonnes of chestnuts, 700 m of black puddings made on site, 12 tonnes of cabbage of all kinds, pumpkins, jams, walnut wine, apples, chestnut flour, cheeses, mushrooms…all the fall products are here, at your fingertips.
For your meal, nothing could be simpler, the festival committee has thought of everything. You will take your tickets and choose your menu, under the large tent pitched at the foot of the chestnut tree. You can also choose the picnic basket option, with local products purchased from the surrounding stands.
In the afternoon, you will devote it to various exhibitions (old agricultural machines, poultry exhibition, etc.). Take your walk to the village hall, craftsmen and artists exhibit their know-how. In the church, artists exhibit their works and are waiting to share their passion with you. Throughout the day, enjoy some leisure activities at home with your children. funfair with its rides, its angling, its shooting gallery and other things that turn everything upside down. Musical entertainment will also stroll through the streets in celebration. You will enjoy concerts, demonstrations and activities during this fair, with family and friends.
Practical information about the Diges Chestnut Festival
All the practical information you need to fully enjoy the chestnut festival:
- Tip: before you go there, equip yourself with baskets. They are essential.
- Parking near the access roads and they are free.
- Entrance to the party is for free.
- No need for a plan, the whole festival is concentrated in the center of the village and the organizers, easily recognizable by their old-fashioned clothing, are here to guide you.
- Catering and snacks on site.
- You would like to exhibit at garage sales, have a stand for your local products, offer an event or have a sales area in the village hall? It's simple, send your request by email: cdf.diges@laposte.net
- Need information on site? The Tourist Office at a stand! We will answer your questions, and can tell you where to start hiking the Parlycoise chestnut grove and other good deals.
What to visit around Diges?
The chestnut festival in Diges is just an introduction to the wealth of Puisaye-Forterre. This little corner of Burgundy is rich in built and cultural heritage and many events mark the year. Toucy, Saint Fargeau, Saint-Sauveur-en-Puisaye, Saint-Amand-en-Puisaye… Each town and village in this territory will seduce you.
Our Autumn activities in Puisaye
History of the commune of Diges
Diges, like most of Puisaye, was the property of Bishop Saint-Germain. In the 12th century, to protect the domain from the ambitions of the barons of Toucy, Abbot Gervais surrounded walls the village and inside built a fortress of 4 towers. Of the 4 towers, 3 remain. The buildings are made of ferruginous sandstone, which gives them a typically Poyaudin character. Inside the castle walls was built a Chapel. This was naturally destroyed and replaced by the current church: St. Martin's Church. The church and the castle have been listed as historic monuments since 1931.
The Auxerre poetess, Mary Christmas, famous for his songs and tales, spent his summer holidays in his country house in Diges from 1928 to 1956, as well as short stays until the last months of his life in 1967.
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