Sallanches Cold Fair 2026: dates, programme and practical information for 24 and 25 October

At a glance

• When? Saturday, October 24 and Sunday, October 25, 2026, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Special menus at restaurants from Friday the 23rd.
• Where? In downtown Sallanches (74700): Place Charles-Albert, Pré de Foire, Place Saint-Jacques and the quays.
• How much? Free admission (only a few workshops at the haberdashery are paid).
• Don’t miss: the return of the Abondance breed competition at Pré de Foire on Sunday, after a two-year absence, free horse-drawn carriage rides and tripe dishes at participating restaurants.

Every late October, as the first cold weather settles over the Arve Valley, Sallanches hosts its Foire Froide. Dating back to the Middle Ages, it remains one of the major autumn festivals in the Mont Blanc region. This year, it has a special significance: after two autumns without a competition, Abondance cows are returning to the town center on Sunday, October 25.

A fair born in the Middle Ages

The Foire Froide has marked the end of the agricultural year since the Middle Ages. At that time, Sallanches was one of the most prosperous market towns in Haut-Faucigny and hosted one of the last fairs before winter.

The last major market before the long winter evenings

As the town explains, the fair was born “at the meeting point of autumn and winter.” When snow began to whiten the peaks, residents of the mountain villages came down to Sallanches to do their last shopping. They also sold the animals they could not keep in the barn during the cold season. Pré de Foire would then fill with horses, heifers, pigs and cows.

Above all, a popular festival

Today, the Foire Froide has become a major festival celebrating local produce, regional cuisine, crafts and agricultural expertise. Saturday is devoted to music, dancing, workshops and local flavors. Sunday brings together the competition, the main fair and the agricultural community.

The return of the Abondance breed competition

This is the big news of the 2026 event: the Abondance breed competition is returning to Pré de Foire for its 53rd edition. The last two editions went ahead without a competition due to the health situation: in 2024, the breed was only presented because of bluetongue disease, and in 2025, the cows remained in the barn.

A competition running all day

To celebrate its return, the organizers have changed the format. The competition will run throughout Sunday, with medals awarded continuously rather than in one grand prize-giving ceremony.

Time	At Pré de Foire
From 9 a.m.	Cows arrive in the town center
From 10 a.m.	Animal parade and awards presentations
10 a.m. to 12 p.m.	Competition (first session)
1 p.m. to 2 p.m.	Presentation of calves by the farmers’ children
2 p.m. to 4 p.m.	Competition (second session)
9 a.m. to 5 p.m.	Exhibition of vintage farm equipment

The competition is organized by the Sallanches Breeders’ Association, which is committed to showcasing the daily work of farmers. The presentation of calves by the farmers’ children, between 1 and 2 p.m., is particularly suitable for families.

The Abondance, a mountain breed unlike any other

The Abondance has a mahogany-red coat, a white belly and a white head adorned with its famous “glasses.” This mahogany coloring around the eyes is more than a distinguishing feature: it protects the animal from solar radiation at high altitudes. A medium-sized, hardy and robust cow, it is well suited to the slopes of the Haute-Savoie mountain pastures.

Before taking the name Abondance at the end of the 19th century, the breed was known as “Chablaisienne,” after its province of origin. In 1891, in La Chapelle-d’Abondance, farmers met with the monks of Abondance Abbey to define the breed’s characteristics. Its herd book was officially opened in 1894, and it was presented at the Paris International Agricultural Show as early as 1896.

Today, its protein-rich milk is used to make protected-designation cheeses: Abondance, Reblochon and Beaufort. To learn more about its birthplace, read our article on the village of Abondance and its abbey.

The program for Saturday, October 24

On Saturday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Place Charles-Albert will host most of the activities. A day to stroll around and enjoy music, dancing, workshops and local products.

Music and dancing

• Music performances, from 12 to 4 p.m., at participating restaurants, in the market and in the streets: JazzOpen (jazz orchestra and big band), Cocktail des Montagnes (Savoyard street orchestra), the Écho des 4 têtes association (concerts and an introduction to the alpine horn) and Les Tuaz (mountain songs and accordion).
• Country dance demonstrations at 2 and 4 p.m., Place Charles-Albert, by the Country du Môle de Bonneville association.
• Country dance lesson at 2:45 p.m., Place de l’Ancienne Poste, with the same association.
• Concert by the Mont-Blanc Wind Orchestra at 6 p.m., at Salle Léon Curral, performed by the Sallanches Municipal Band. Free admission.

Traditional crafts workshops

• Introduction to leatherworking, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 2 to 5 p.m.: make bracelets, key rings or necklaces with Esprit Hautes Terres.
• The blacksmith’s workshop, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.: demonstration and introduction to traditional blacksmithing with Bernard Giraud.
• “Wild” basketry workshop, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., ages 6 and up, with Art & Sané. Bringing pruning shears is optional but welcome.

Activities for everyone

• Sulkies, small pedal-powered horses, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., for children ages 3 to 12, with the Castillo stables.
• Foire Froide photobooth, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Simultaneous chess games against champions from the Mont-Blanc Échecs club, at 10:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. Open to all; sign up on site. Limited to 20 places.
• “Once Upon a Foire Froide” walk at 10:30 a.m., starting at Place Charles-Albert, lasting 1 hour: anecdotes about local cuisine, with Maryse Rancoud Langlois.
• Classic car exhibition, from 3 to 5 p.m., Place Saint-Jacques, with Le Cheval Mécanique.

Traditional products at Place Charles-Albert

From 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., local associations will be offering their autumn specialties:

• artisanal apple juice made on site and a small refreshment stand, by the Conscrits de la classe 2015;
• regional products, beignets, rissoles and farcement, by the Au Fil de l’Arve choir;
• bescoins and bugnes, along with information and little games, by the Sallanches Histoire et Patrimoine association;
• local products (sausages, beer, jam, honey, terrines), by students at the MFR du Belvédère;
• crêpes, waffles and hot chocolate, by the Scouts et Guides de France and the Pionniers-Caravelles.

The program for Sunday, October 25

On Sunday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., the festivities spread throughout the town center, with the competition at Pré de Foire, the main fair along the quays and plenty of activities.

The main fair and food

• The fair, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., along the Hôtel de Ville and Alexandre Curral quays: crafts, gastronomy, local produce, clothing and everyday items.
• The food truck village, from 10 a.m., Place Charles-Albert.
• Traditional cider, country loaves, crêpes, waffles and hot dogs, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Pré de Foire, by the Conscrits de la classe 1994.

Activities and traditional crafts

• Horse-drawn carriage rides, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 2 to 5 p.m., departing from Place Charles-Albert, with F. Duvillard Chevaux. Free, no reservation required.
• Logging demonstration, from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 2 to 4 p.m., Place de l’Ancienne Poste, by the Les Vardaches association.
• “Once Upon a Foire Froide” walk at 10:30 a.m., starting at the Pré de Foire amphitheater, lasting 1 hour: the history of the fair and the competition, with Claire Tronchet.
• Sulkies for children ages 3 to 12 and a photobooth, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Place Charles-Albert.
• Music performances, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., with JazzOpen and Cocktail des Montagnes. The fair’s cow mascot will be there from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Vintage vehicles

From 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., along the quays and at Place Saint-Jacques, Le Cheval Mécanique, the Anciens Pompiers and the military vehicle group will exhibit classic cars, vintage fire engines and military vehicles.

Tripe dishes and menus at participating restaurants

You can’t talk about the Foire Froide without mentioning tripe, the festival’s signature dish. From Friday, October 23 to Sunday, October 25, participating restaurants, bars and caterers will offer the famous tripe dishes and other traditional fare. Reservations should be made directly with the establishments. The list of participating venues is available on the town’s interactive map.

Also happening over the weekend

• The merchants’ sidewalk sale, Saturday and Sunday, with stalls throughout the town center.
• Workshops at the Au Fil d’Or haberdashery (paid): an introduction to knitting and crochet (1.5 hours, €7) from Friday to Sunday; macramé (Friday: 3 hours for €60, Saturday: 1.5 hours for €22, Sunday: 1 hour for €15); and an introduction to embroidery (1.5 hours, €20) on Saturday and Sunday.
• Road safety workshops by Crédit Agricole des Savoie, on Sunday.
• The funfair, Place Grenette, from Friday, October 23 to Sunday, November 1.

Practical information

Dates and times

Saturday, October 24 and Sunday, October 25, 2026, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Concert on Saturday at 6 p.m. at Salle Léon Curral. Participating restaurants from Friday, October 23 to Sunday, October 25.

Locations

Downtown Sallanches (74700). On Saturday, activities are concentrated at Place Charles-Albert. On Sunday, head to Pré de Foire for the competition and agricultural events, the Hôtel de Ville and Alexandre Curral quays for the fair, and Place Saint-Jacques for vintage vehicles.

Traffic and parking

Traffic arrangements will change over the weekend. The traffic plan, detours and list of participating restaurants are all available on the interactive map, accessible via the town’s website, sallanchesmontblanc.com.

Admission

Free admission, including the horse-drawn carriage rides and the Municipal Band concert. Only the workshops at the Au Fil d’Or haberdashery are paid.

Contact

Sallanches Town Events Department: evenementiel@sallanches.fr.

Our tips

• To see the cows arrive, be at Pré de Foire by 9 a.m. on Sunday.
• Book your table in advance if you want to try tripe at a participating restaurant.
• With children, don’t miss the calf presentation between 1 and 2 p.m., the sulkies and the carriage ride.
• Bring warm clothing: late October mornings are chilly at the foot of Mont Blanc.
• Remember to bring pruning shears for the basketry workshop.

What else is there to do around Sallanches that weekend?

Make the most of your visit to explore the surrounding area: Combloux and its view of Mont Blanc, Megève and its narrow streets, or the Plateau d’Assy and its church decorated by major artists of the 20th century.

On that same Sunday, October 25, Manigod hosts its autumn fair and sheep fair, marking the end of the season when flocks come down from the mountain pastures.

Find the full calendar in our article on the mountain pasture descents not to miss this fall 2026, and discover all our outings in the Haute-Savoie news section.

FAQ

When is the Sallanches Foire Froide in 2026?

Saturday, October 24 and Sunday, October 25, 2026, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in downtown Sallanches. Participating restaurants will offer their menus from Friday the 23rd.

Is admission charged?

No, the Foire Froide is free to attend. Only the workshops at the Au Fil d’Or haberdashery are paid.

Will the Abondance breed competition take place in 2026?

Yes. After two years without a competition, the 53rd edition will take place on Sunday, October 25 at Pré de Foire. The cows arrive from 9 a.m., and the competition runs from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and from 2 to 4 p.m., with medals awarded throughout the day.

Why is it called the “Foire Froide”?

It began at the meeting point of autumn and winter. It was the last fair of the year, when mountain residents came to shop and sell the animals they could not keep in the barn during the cold season.

Where can you eat tripe during the Foire Froide?

At participating restaurants, bars and caterers from Friday, October 23 to Sunday, October 25. The list is available on the town’s interactive map, and reservations should be made directly with the establishments.

What activities are there for children?

Small pedal-powered horses (sulkies) for children ages 3 to 12, free horse-drawn carriage rides, a basketry workshop for ages 6 and up, the calf presentation on Sunday from 1 to 2 p.m. and the cow mascot.

Cover photo source: Sallanches Town Hall – Wendy Coulon