The 2026 event has ended: the officially announced Vosges Blueberry Festival took place in Bruyères, not La Bresse, on 14 July 2026 from 3:30pm to 6pm. This page keeps the verified event record and the current rules for responsible picking.
Searches for a La Bresse blueberry festival, a brimbelle festival and wild blueberry picking often lead to the same page, but these are two different subjects. The identified 2026 festival was in Bruyères. Picking depends on who owns the land and on any local protection rules. The guidance below was checked against Vosges Tourism, the Vosges prefecture and France’s National Forest Office (ONF).
Bruyères Blueberry Festival 2026: verified details
Vosges Tourism published the following details for the 2026 event:
- town: Bruyères;
- date: Tuesday 14 July 2026;
- time: 3:30pm to 6pm;
- address: avenue du Cameroun;
- admission: free;
- current status: ended.
This was not a festival in La Bresse. Travellers looking for upcoming local events should use the La Bresse summer events guide and check the official listing again before setting out. The 2026 date should not be assumed for a later edition.
Who owns wild blueberries?
The ONF explains that forest fruit belongs to the owner of the land. Access to a forest path does not in itself grant permission to harvest.
In a public forest in the Vosges, the prefecture limits family picking to 5 litres per person. The allowance is for personal, non-commercial use. On private land, obtain the owner’s permission. A nature reserve, another protected area or a municipality may set a lower limit or prohibit picking tools.
Check signs at the entrance and identify the land status before collecting fruit. This is more reliable than following a list of online “picking spots”, which may point to private or protected ground. This page therefore does not disclose precise harvesting locations.
Blueberry combs and the 20 cm rule
The Vosges prefecture allows a blueberry comb no wider than 20 cm, provided it is used without damaging the plants. Uprooting plants or breaking branches does not meet that condition.
A protected area can apply a stricter rule, including a ban on combs. Instructions displayed on site take precedence over general guidance. The ONF also calls for measured, household-scale picking that leaves the plants intact and is not intended for sale.
A practical checklist before picking
Before a trip from La Bresse:
- establish whether the land is public, private or protected;
- read any municipal or site-specific notices;
- ask the owner before entering private land to pick;
- carry a container that helps you stay within the 5-litre limit;
- avoid uprooting plants or damaging branches;
- avoid roadside fruit, in line with ONF advice;
- take all litter away.
For more context, read our Vosges blueberry-picking guide. Official notices and signs seen on the day remain the reference for a particular site.
Sorting and preparing the fruit
The ONF advises pickers to sort, wash and cook gathered berries. Remove damaged fruit and plant debris before washing. The ONF article also includes a recipe for using the harvest.
This page does not give a storage duration, a freezing guarantee or claims about the origin of berries served by a business. For the food side of the subject, see our guide to blueberry tart in the Vosges.
Key points
The verified 2026 festival took place in Bruyères, avenue du Cameroun, on 14 July from 3:30pm to 6pm and is now over. In a public Vosges forest, family picking is limited to 5 litres per person. A comb may be up to 20 cm wide and must not damage the plants. Permission is required on private land, while protected areas may have tighter rules. Sort, wash and cook the fruit in line with ONF guidance.
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Frequently asked questions
Was there a Blueberry Festival in La Bresse in 2026?
No. The official event identified for 2026 was the Bruyères Blueberry Festival on 14 July from 3:30pm to 6pm, avenue du Cameroun. Admission was free and the event has ended.
How many wild blueberries may one person pick in a public Vosges forest?
The Vosges prefecture sets a limit of 5 litres per person for family use in public forests. A municipality or protected area may apply a stricter rule.
Is a blueberry comb permitted in the High Vosges?
The Vosges prefecture permits a comb up to 20 cm wide if it does not damage the plants. Protected areas may impose stricter rules.
Do you need permission to pick blueberries on private land?
Yes. Forest fruits belong to the landowner, so their permission is required before picking on private property.