The andouille festival in Guémené-sur-Scorff, a gourmet feast
Every year at the end of August, dozens and dozens of campervans flood into Central Brittany, to be precise Guémené-sur-Scorff, in the Pays du Roi Morvan. But what's going on in the streets of this small town that attracts thousands of visitors? The andouille festival!
A story of friends and a brotherhood to defend and promote the traditional andouille sausage from Guémené
Imagine, in Guémené-sur-Scorff, a small local festival with cycle races that no longer attract many people... Imagine a group of friends who think that Guémené has a gastronomic treasure trove: andouille sausages. Imagine that they came up with the idea of creating an event based around this andouille sausage to replace the fête, which was no longer working very well. This is how the first Guémené-sur-Scorff andouille festival came about on 23 August 1992. That year, 350 meals were served.
Two years later, these same friends created La Confrérie des Goustiers de l'Andouille. The aim of this association is to raise awareness of the real Guémené andouille sa usage, so that no-one is confused between a traditional andouille sausage and an industrial copy. It also organises the annual festival, which is gradually gaining momentum.
In fact, the festival has grown so much that it is now organised by a committee of volunteers every year on the 2nd Sunday after 15 August. The brotherhood continues to promote Guémené's flagship product.
A mountain of andouille-purée
The andouille festival is one of Brittany's biggest gastronomic events. People come from all over the region and beyond. Some come and return every summer, camping or staying in bed and breakfast, to enjoy the incredible entertainment that takes over the streets of Guémené-sur-Scorff. Around 200 volunteers work hard to ensure that everything is perfect. They are particularly numerous under the marquees where the famous andouille chaud-purée meal is served. Around 3,000 meals are served, yes 3,000! So many kilos of potatoes!
It has to be said that the andouille is succulent and the atmosphere very convivial. Andouille lovers have a good taste for fork and want to have fun and celebrate. And if you don't know the person sitting next to you at the start of the meal, they're sure to be friends by dessert!
If you prefer, you can also have lunch in one of the restaurants. Andouille can be found everywhere on the day!
But what happens after the meal? There's no shortage of choice!
A programme of events as tasty as andouille sausage
With the andouille-purée, there's no doubt that you're in for a treat. But many visitors also come for the events, which put Breton culture in the spotlight. And there's plenty to keep them busy:
- the pardon of Notre-Dame de la Fosse and its procession with the faithful in Breton costume, the religious side of the festival
- the parade of the brotherhoods, each of which has its own very special outfit (it's a bit like Harry Potter with the 4 houses of Hogwarts, but watch out, this is serious stuff!)
- performances on the podiums, with dances by the Celtic circles and Breton music by the bagadoùs
- concerts
- local produce market
- boules competitions
- theinduction of new "goustiers" (knights): members of the Guémené-sur-Scorff andouille brotherhood make "chevaliers" of people who undertake to promote Guémené-sur-Scorff andouille.
- the fest dé is like a breton ball
The best part is that all the entertainment is free ! There's no admission charge to come to the festival, no tickets to buy to wander the streets.
That's why there are several thousand visitors to Guémené-sur-Scorff on the day!
The andouille festival in figures :
- 200 volunteers
- 3000 meal
- the2th Sunday after 15 August
The little extra!
A word of advice to fans of gastronomic festivals: don't miss the Fête de la Crêpe in Gourin
