The Ardeche is the main producer of sweet chestnuts in France: the region's farmers harvest more than 6,000 tons every year.
The inhabitants of Antraigues-sur-Volane have dedicated a festival to the bread of the poor, which attracts up to 15,000 visitors to the small mountain village every October.

For two days on the Place de la Résistance everything revolves around the great treasure of the region: the sweet chestnut.
Around 500 kilos will be roasted in large drums over the two days and sold to festival-goers.

Other regional products, such as chestnut flour and cream, goat cheese or the famous Puy lentils will also be on offer, along with several food and wine stalls.
The atmosphere is also provided by a brass band that makes its rounds around the square and asks participants to dance.

Antraïgues is not the only village in the  Monts d'Ardèche to celebrate the chestnut: A total of eleven municipalities have joined forces under the name of Castagnades to pay homage to the fruit that is so important to the region's economy.
Here are the dates of the other chestnut festivals for this autumn:

• Meyras: 9 October
• Saint-Pierreville, Gluiras: 16 and 17 October
• Saint-André-Lachamp : 17 October
• Privas : 22, 23, 24 October
• Joyeuse : 24 October
• Desaignes : 24 October
• Saint-Laurent-les-Bains Laval d'Aurelle: 27, 28, 29, 30 October
• Chalencon : 31 October
• Vesseaux : 6 and 7 November
• Joannas : 13 and 14 November