Festiventre, the neighborhood food festival launched in Saint-Junien, returns for its second edition on Friday, September 18, 2026, running from 6 p.m. to midnight around the quartier des halles, according to city officials and organizers. Following an inaugural event that drew crowds, the upcoming market expands its footprint to accommodate larger crowds and increased demand for local artisans.
Festiventre 2026 Returns to Saint-Junien with Expanded Local Food Showcase
Expansion and Local Vendor Offerings
Organized by the Manestela cooperative with logistics support from the Saint-Junien town hall, the 2026 iteration extends its layout to Place Deffuas, reaching toward the Bazar saint-juniaud while keeping the central hall buildings closed for exterior festivities. According to Charles Meillat, artistic director and coordinator for Manestela, approximately 30 local producers and artisans—including 12 members of the Saint-Junien Halles association—will serve regional specialties alongside neighborhood bars and restaurants.
Menus feature regionally sourced food and drink, ranging from roasted suckling pig and brasero-grilled meats to vegetarian dishes, African cuisine, oriental specialties, oysters, snails, cheeses, baked goods, macarons, and local beer. Entertainment for the evening includes performances by two DJs, the Saint-Junien banda, and Les Agités de la graine from Rochechouart.
« La première édition a très bien marché, se félicite le maire de Saint-Junien, Hervé Beaudet, » noting the turnout that left vendors sold out early in the night. Organizers confirmed that participating producers plan to stock larger quantities of merchandise for the 2026 event.
Companion Food Event: « À taaaable ! »
The culinary programming continues through the weekend with « À taaaable ! », scheduled for Sunday, September 20, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 18 p.m. in the courtyard of the Étoile bleue in Saint-Junien. Hosted by Manestela in partnership with the La Cartouche limousine association, the Sunday program features workshops on building solar-powered cookers, wild foraging for beverage ingredients, children’s crafts, and a conference led by historian and philosopher Serge Added, author of Plats de résistance, soigner les cantines pour réparer le monde.
The daytime gathering also includes a small farmers’ market offering organic vegetables, goat cheese, bread, hemp products, pastries, and vegetarian meals, accompanied by book sales from the Librairie La Maison bleue. Entrance to the Étoile bleue courtyard is free, with workshops operating on a pay-what-you-wish pricing model.