Every summer, La Bresse welcomes holidaymakers and locals with the Foire de la Bienvenue, a major terroir and craft event held at the Halle des Congrès. 2026 edition: Monday 13 July.
Context and tradition
The Foire de la Bienvenue has been organised by the La Bresse Tourist Office for several decades. It fits into the tradition of summer mountain fairs in the Vosges, where local producers and holidaymakers naturally came together at the start of the summer season. The event has progressively grown to become the official launch of summer in La Bresse, marking the start of the high tourist season and bringing together in a single venue the best of the local economy and the Vosges massif’s short supply chains.
Programme
- Producers’ market of the Hautes Vosges: cheeses, charcuterie, jams, honeys, local beers
- Craftspeople: wood, textile, ceramics, soaps
- Tastings of mountain specialities
- Traditional music
- Workshops for kids and grown-ups
Producers typically present
The fair welcomes each year a representative selection of producers and craftspeople from the area:
- Cheese makers: farmhouse Munster AOP affineurs, Vosges tomme and high-pasture fromage blanc producers
- Brewers: craft breweries from the Hautes Vosges, offering ales, stouts and seasonal beers for tasting
- Beekeepers: fir honey, mountain wildflower honey, single-origin honeys and mead for tasting
- Wood craftspeople: sculptors, turners, makers of toys and furniture in local Vosges wood (fir and beech)
- Charcutiers: Vosges cured meats, presskopf, smoked ham, mountain sausages
- Fruit producers: jam makers, apple juice producers, processed blueberry sellers
- Textile and cosmetic craftspeople: soap makers, Vosges herbal tea and plant producers, Vosges wool knitters
For children
The Foire de la Bienvenue is designed to welcome families:
- Craft workshops: introduction to wood carving, soap making, basic pottery
- Live demonstrations: some craftspeople work in front of the public (wood turning, weaving, spinning)
- Play area for younger children alongside the adult stalls
- Folk and traditional music accessible to all ages
For first-time visitors
If this is your first visit to La Bresse, the Foire de la Bienvenue is the best way in:
- The Tourist Office hands out on site a map of accommodation and activities in La Bresse and the valley. Practical for planning the rest of your stay.
- Tourist Office staff are present and available to answer any questions about the area.
- A full list of summer events (guided hikes, village festivals, concerts, markets) is given to every visitor.
Welcome drink
From 10am to noon, the La Bresse Tourist Office offers a welcome drink to holidaymakers, with local product tastings and a presentation of the summer activities programme.
The fair as the start of summer
13 July marks the official start of high season in La Bresse. After the fair, summer unfolds its full programme: themed hikes, blueberry festival, open-air concerts, night markets, water activities on the lakes. The Foire de la Bienvenue is the best way to take the pulse of the season on your first day of holiday.
Getting there from your accommodation
- On foot from the La Bresse town centre: the Halle des Congrès is at the heart of the village, less than 10 minutes’ walk from the majority of central accommodation.
- By car: parking available at the Halle des Congrès and in nearby relay car parks. In high season on 13 July, walking or cycling is preferable to avoid parking difficulties.
- From outlying hamlets: accommodation on the heights (Hohneck side, forested areas) will need a car. Allow 5 to 10 minutes from the most distant sectors.
Supporting local supply chains
Buying at the Foire de la Bienvenue directly supports the mountain economy:
- The producers present are overwhelmingly family operators from southern Vosges.
- Short circuits cut out the middlemen: the cheese maker selling you a Munster is the person who made and ripened it.
- Wood craftspeople work exclusively with local Vosges species (fir, beech, Scots pine).
- The Vosges beekeeping sector is fragile: every purchase of local honey helps keep hives on the high pastures.
Practical info
- Date: Monday 13 July 2026
- Hours: 10am to 6pm
- Venue: Halle des Congrès, La Bresse
- Entry: free
- Contact: La Bresse Tourist Office, +33 3 29 25 41 29
Combine with a stay
13 July falls at the start of high season. A great moment to kick off a holiday week by meeting the producers, before diving into hikes, lakes and summer events.
Plan your week in a chalet.
Frequently asked questions
When is the Foire de la Bienvenue?
Monday 13 July 2026 at the Halle des Congrès in La Bresse, 10am to 6pm. Welcome drink by the Tourist Office from 10am to noon.
What's on the programme?
Hautes Vosges producers and craft market, tastings of mountain specialities, traditional music and workshops for all.
Is there an entry fee?
No, free entry. Tastings and purchases at producers' prices.
Is parking available?
Yes, free car parks near the Halle des Congrès. Arrive early in summer.